Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1843-03-23
For the Spectator.
AN OBITUARY NOTICE OF GEN. ROBERT
pORTEpEIrI

Though brief notice Of tho decease OF this
worthy aud venerable patriot of the Revolution
has already appeared in some of the newspapers
1t Is believed that some moro extended tribute q
his memory, is due alike to his character and
the welfare of his fellow-citizens. II is regret
ted, that circumstances OF Il cogent nature, have
conspired TO postpone to unusual period, this
attempt to comply with the suggestions of pro-
priety, and the public demands of public sen:i-
ment, IN the region Of country where he was
best known. An Obituary of such man, how
ever, is not dependent for its interest or its use
fulness, on the novelty with which II is invested.
Gen. PoRTERriEID was one Of the Oldest men
in the County of Augusta, in which he had re-
sided for nearly GO years. He was born in Fred
erick, in the year l752-and, OF course, at his
death, February 18Th, l9i3, was in his 9lst year,
which he would have completed, had he lived to
see the 23d Of that month. For many years his
health has been feeble, but, the usual inrnities,
incidental to old age, excepted, he retained in a
remarkable degree his mental vigour, and by his
recollections OF old and very interesting times,
united to his natural intelligence, rendered him
self an interesting companion to his latest day.
He entered the lth Virginia Continental Line,
under Col. Daniel Morgan, having Joined the
main Army under Gen. Washington, at Middle
till the capture of the General (Woodferd) and
the troops, with which he served in Charleston,
). e. He had been promoted from Lieutenant
cy to be the aid-de.camp of Gen. Woodferd, was in
the engagement at Brandywine, and shared the
hardshps Of the celebrated campaign of l777-7S,
enduring the rigours of the winter camp at VAL
ley Forge, in an open log hut, with his messmate
Col. Philip Slaughter.
During large portion CT his life spent in this
county, he had formed an extensive acquain-
lance, and while he made many friends, he de-
signedly incurred no mans ill-wil. Ii he was
not honored and beloved by all, it was the misfor-
tune of the few, who withheld their respect and
esteem, either to be incapable of approaching
him, or to be ignorant of his value.
Gen. PoRrERriELD was n gentleman. He was
emphatically good specimen of a race of men,
leaving 1t Is feared, In too many instances, more
descendants than successors-who were polite
without hypocrisy, sensitive without fastidious-
ness, genteel without foppery, candid without
rudeness, hospitable without ostentation, condo.
scending without superciliousness, kind without
hattery and humble minded without meanness gen
erous without extravaganza, and economical with
out penuriousness. His was the gentility of the
virginia Gentleman, when the name was an hon
orable appellation. and not mere complimentary
epi:het.
Gen. PoRTERFIFLD was patriot His services
and his sullerings in the cause of his country,
though ne was neither a boastor cripple,
were sufficient witnesses to the propriety Of the
title. lie possessed the usual iondness Of are
for the recoections of earlier life, yet so seldom
did he detail his own peculiar exposures or hard
ships, that his most intimate friends are at loss
y.
necessary to do justice to his memory. During
his later years he continued to evince, in his ar
dent attachment to the cause of Constitutional
Liberty, his deep interest i'm all that concerned
the moral and mental improvement of society,
his in1exible, and to Some stern opposition 10
vice, and his delight in the pursuits which are
honorable and edtying TO man, the intelligence
and sincerity of his love of country.
lie was parent, whose domestic relations call
ed forth, and whose tender concern for his chill
DIAN, al 4.
whose attachments endured with life, and were
transmitted from children to childrens' children in
native purity and vigour.
OF the esteem of his neighbours and friends,
the immense crowd which assembled to attend
his body to the grave, on one of the most nclem-
ent days of the season, affords a most striking
exhibition.
But OF none of these virtues, Of his perform
of none, of all the duties of this life as
citizen, soldier, magistrate, husband father, mas
ter, neighbour, friend, did he boast. To be loved
honored and respected by good men, was his
wish, in common with good men but in view of
responsibility and obligation to greater than
man, he laid himself at TIE foo, of the Cross,
and humby sought, and believed he found in
Christ, Righteousness in which he might appear
just before God, peace which the world can nei-
Their give nor take away. He was a Christian.
He united himself several years since to the
Presbyterian Church of Il. Spring, Augusta Co.,
Va, in communion with which he died. His
pastor stated at his burial, that he never visited
him without finding him ready to join in religious
conversation, and on no topic did he appear more
interested. He not only spoke Of death with
composure, but even with pleasant authorizations
His submission to Gods will, was ready, con-
slant and 6lial, and his confidence in his Saviour
entire, He loved the worship Of God and was
never out of place when able to attend, though he
generally did so, at considerable expense of bod-
ly fatigue. He loved the doctrines of the Cos.
pei and yet his faith was not a mere speculation.
nor was his confession merely orthodox. He
'dwelt with great interest on the precepts which
inculcate holy lie and Scripture morality. Du-
ring the last public services he attended, (but
few Sabbaths previous to his death,) he became
so deeply interested in some remarks on the bless
ings of the Sabbath, that apparently forgetting
himself, he gave his audible testimony to the
pleasure which he enjoyed in hearing such truths,
and his firm belief of what was said.
His last illness sudden and violent. He
had no opportunity for any very explicit declara-
lions of his Faith. But having long manifested
the sincerity of his confidence in the Redeemer of
Gods people, it was on his account, source of
no great regret, that he had no opportunity of ex-
hibiting those feelings, which arctic say the least,
not always to be regarded as unequivoca demon
STATIONS of renewed heart. His friends would
have rejoiced in having seen him free from pain
and been permitted to witness his full testimony
for the benefit of others. Long may the commu-
nifty enjoy the recollection Of his virtues and the
influence Of his example.
DI;- Waterman Of the South and Southern Churchman
please copy.
sx.---
O-The following call came in too late to be