Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1839-07-11
OBITUARY..

ull. IN tire Sod year ot his aye.
At the commencement of The Revolu.
lion, he left College, and took The field a.
Volunteer, in defence Of the liberties OF
his country. Though he did not enter the
regular Army. he served at different peri
ods throughou the war. under the Parti
zan leaders, whose seivces and exploits
form The brightest page in the history of
South Carolina. FIr was Captain under
Marinn. and was entrusted by him with
the diicncc of Fort in the harbour of
Georgetown, when that town was mena-
ced Ivy the enemy. Col. AIsion loved to
dwell on the virtues and services of Mari
on, aud was fond of relating anecdotes H.
Illustrative of his character. On the return
of peace. Col Alsion resumed the rutiva
iion OF his palernal estate on the Warca,
nav, near Georgetown, which he pursued
without interruption, until within few
wears of his death. and with almost unex-
ampled sue ess. Devoted to agricultural
pursuits, and the cares aud duties of
domestic life, he avoided, as far as pos
sihle, all public employmenrs. Being.
however, i personal and pnlilcai friend
oi Mr.. Jefferson, he was prevailed upon 10
lend the weight of his name and influence
10 the party of which Mr.Jelfersou was the
head. He accordingly served for several
years as a member of the Senate of the
State, and was onr of the Democratic e.
lectors of the President and Vice PrpSi-
dent, at the time Of The memorable contest
between Jefferson and Adams. He soon
retired, however, from public life, and
from that period devoted himself exclusive
~ TO his private affairs. 1t is as Caroli-
ma Planler-a character identified with The
interests ana honor, and best hopes of the
Stale-That Col. Aston was chiefly dis
tinguished. Whether we estimate bis
claims to public consideration, by his extra
ordinary success, the admirable treatment
of his slaves, Of wise practical system Of
economy and good management, Col.
Als,on stood almost a: the head Of he class
to which he be longed. II is believed that
al The time Of his death. he was. with per.
laps single exception. the largest slave
holder in South Carolina. Commencing
life with comparatively small number of
slaves, he Went on steadily adding 10 his
stock, until they had multiplied many folt
Ii was TIE opinion Of Col. Aston, that in
oIlhe Planter were in exact accordance
with the dictates an enlightened human.
iiy. twas therefore with him a rule thr0'
life. to treat his slaves with The utmost lib
erality and kindness, while he never relax
cd the reins Of wholesome discipline
His rule was to pro. idle them with dwell
lings of the hest descripliontn cIoihe them
in the very best manner, and to allow them
supplies Of every kind, on the mos liberal
scale. The consequence was, that hisor
numerous plantations were models of neat.
ness g. order. & his slaves always exhibited
an appearance Of health g. comfort, which
spoke we'll for their treatment. Thev
ere devoiedlv attached to their master,
whose service they would not have ex-
changed for any other upon earth.
Col. Alston, however, was net one of
those speculative PhiIanthropists, who sac
riice essential good to visionary theories.
His system was based on calculation Of
practical results. II was not his slaves only
who were to be made prosperous and hap
py. II they were among the hest treated
in the State, his crops were always abnn-
dant, aud his rice ofthe frs, quality brought
10 The Charleston market. Col. Alston
lived 10 a good old age, and richly earned
the tile ofatseful citizen. if"he is Justly
considered as a public nefaclor, who
makes iwo blades of grass grow where one
grew before" what shall we saw Of him
who produced such results as we have a.
hove detailed?
Until compelled bv his increasing infirm-
tiles to retire from the world. his house was
the abode of refined and elegant hospi.
taliy. Courteous in his manners-snc,al
in his disposition. surrounded with large
circle Of friends, and blessed with ample
fortune, his tastes aud habits were for ma
nv years those Of "a Carolina gentleman
ofthe old school" He received and en-
rertained Gen. Washington. for several
days. M his visit TO rhs Stale, at his ele-
ganr Mansion near GeGTgefown. in a style
which the President pronounced to he
truly Virginian, declaring that '.he. had
seen nothing in NIL his travels 50 justly en-.
titled to he STYLED fairy land. as the Rice
fields Of the Waccamaw. in the genial
onth of Nav" Col. 4lSirn reared np
large family, and. as husband and faith
er, was always affrctinnafe and indulgen,.
The loss of several Of his children. among
them The late Governor Aston. whose ex
Itraorlinarv talents and elnquance had ex-
cited the highest hopes ofhs future dis,inc
tion and usefulness his more recent be-
reavementint The loss o. The beloved and ex-
celIPni partner Of his hosom-wi'h tn" grad
nal derav of his own health. had prepnred
him for he closing sncuse Of long and
useful life. TIr had heen for manv years
} ] Ctr!s,iaN and naem9er rf tie PI6tts-