The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1843-10-03
From the Aalericgn Naual Biography.
JON BIZ s Il T. l. T. n .


lace Of Seaford, 10 the county OF Down, Ire.
land, 10 the month OF October, l1Sl. Two
years af:ers ards his father, Mr.. John Blake
lev, emigrsied 10 this country; and after
residing al Philadelphia few months, left
i, fsi Charleston. S. G., with view Of en-
gazing in business. Meeting, however,
with but little encouragement al Charleston,
he finally removed TO Wilmington, n. C.,
alluted by more favorable prospects. Soon
after his establishment at this place, MIR.
Blakeley was deprived, one hy one, OF his
wife, and all his chIidrea, excep; his son
Johnston.
AscribIns these successive losses TO the
insalubrity Of the climate, which was said
TO be peculiarly unipyorable TO children,
Mr.. Blakeley was ,nau,ed 10 send his only
surviving son TO New York as well with
view to the preservation Of his health, as
TO afford him an opportunity OF acquiring
an education. Johnston was, accordingly,
10 the year $780, sent TO that place, and
committed TO the care Of MIR. Hooper, q
respectable merchant of that place, and an
old friend of his father. Here he remain
ed FIVE wears, assiduonsly pursuing his STU
dies; at the end of which be returned TO
Wilmington, where he remained for some
time without! any particular pursuit or &C
cupatlon.
Il was the intention Of bis father to bring
bin up to the law, and, with view TO
qualify him for that profession, he was
placed, in 1896, at the University OF North
Carolina,-a most respectable institution,
situated at Chapel Hill, in the county OF
Orange. While pursuing his studies, he
was deprived of his father, who died the
year afes young Blakeley entered the L.
niversiiy; leaving behind him the char
acter of a good man, equally exemplary as
paren, and a citizen. Young Blakeley
was now withou, relative in this country,
10 whom he could look up for advice, or
protection, or assistance and /, became
necessary for him to choose guardan.-
10 this choice he was sinsularly fortunate,
in the selection Of Mr.. Jones, an eminent
lawyer, of Wilmington, who most ieuderly
and generously supplied the place Of faith
er. With occasional n.ermisslons, he re-
NAMED at College till some time IN the
year 1899; when, by some misfortune, Of
which we have never been able 10 obtain
any distinct account, and which, therefore,
we will not attempt TO detail he was de
prived Of the support derived from his faith
err, and compelled TO relinquish his studies
at the University, as we'll as his intention
of practising The law.
Having long had prediction for M.
val life, which, however, be had, with a
self denial worthy OF imitation, concealed
from bis iather,-he solicited, and, through
the friendly exer,ons Of Mr.. Jones, obtain
ed a midshipmau's warrant, 10 the year
800. 1t is bu, just to state, however, that
previous to making this application, Mr..
Jones, DESTROYS tina, bis young ward should
fulfil the wishes Of his deceased parent,
kindly offered TO lake him 10 his house, and
to afford him every facility 10 bis power, to
complete bis legal studies. Unwilling to
accumulate obhgatious be might never re.
pay, aud, perhaps, too stimulated By clear
perception Of the line Of life nature had
marked out for him, he declined this gener.
Gus offer. Ia every subsequent situation, he
y
full recollection Of Mr.. Jones' friendship
aud, TO the end Of his life. acknowledged
him his beneiactor.
i" As any thing writes The gentleman
who furnished US the materials for this Bi
ograpay, ADD whose language we have al
mos, every where followed" which Illus
trates the character Of so much departed
worth, especially where the qualities Of TIT
heart are so well calculated 10 excite ou
admiration, canoot bur be interesting,
have furnished a few extracts from the let
tiers Of Capt. Blskeley, written to me- a
various periods. Having been deprived o
bis father ii an sge shen the desire o
knowing something Of hts family vas be
ginning to be fell, II was not in his powe
TO crafty his inquiries 90 that subject, Il
a satisfactory manner, Uniil May 1915
when | bad the pleasure OF opening a cor
respondeDce with bm.
In his FIST letter, dated on board lh
United States brig Enterprise, May OH
1911, he manifested his anxiety TO Obtain
the wished for Information, relative 10 hi
connexions, 10 the following manner 60
would atiJrd ne gfea; qualification 10 hea
from you all the information sou possess re
speeding my relations. This trouble you
goodness wall excuse, when inform 70
that for fourteen years have not bsbel
one being to whom | was bound BY any ii
Of consequently 10 another letter, wrii
ten soon after, be observes, The af.ctio
manifested by -- IS truly grateful +;
my heart Indeed, begin already to fec
for her 6liaI regard, and the moro so, a
il was my lot 10 lose my mother before
was sensible Of mothers tenderness. |
reply TO letter, in which the solicliude e
his professional reputation vas cordial
expressed by the female above alluded t
he remarks Should be fortunate enoug
to acquire any fame, my good old friend vi
make me debtor cor more than half
With her prayers for my success can
doubt IL | hope the last Biakeley who e,
lists wll'lay down his life ere he tarnishe
IL r IL 4