Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-06-06
Obituary.

Died. aths residence, in the county of Goochand on the
2s!h day OF March. ls46. WILLIAM MILLER Esq, Clerk
OF that county, in the S0th year OF his age.
Mr. NJ. may well be called the father of that v,Iu.hl.
class OF pubic officers to which he belonged lie had BEEN
a. inc time OF his DEATH for than fifty years clerk of
me county OF Goochland, dlschargng his official duties
during the whole OF that period with uar fidelity and
intelligence. Endowed by nature with mind of g,,,,
strength and memory OF remarkable tenaciiy, his clear
head and sound Judgment enabled him dfuse through
out the various departments Of his Office spirit of order
and economy, which rendered n model for establish
ments OF similar nature The writer many years ago.
heard lawyer OF distinction that he convinced
Mr. NJ could in the darkest night lay his hand upon nnv
required paper, without the assistance OF candle From
long practice he had become familiar with the s,ap,,
laws OF the STATE that II is believed he was surpassed in
this particular by very few the most eminent
yers OF the State When To this IL added that his ineg
riiy was alike unmpe ached aud unmpea chablo IL may
well be understood that his qualifications for the Office h.
filled were OF the very highest order. One quality very
essential to the peace OF every public officer but TO which
very lew can lay claim, he possessed very
uncuonary To hear without murmurnR the harassing i'm
portunies OF such persons having business with him
believe that his whole lime should be devoted to their
vice. No matter who the what his business OF how
urgent soeNer his own calls he allowed his temper 10
be rued nor for one momen forgot the rules OF deco
In private life. Mr. Miller was all that ia c,c,,d -
render man beloved. AL are made up of good and
bad qualities. Perfection is impossible When we sneak
therefore OF good man, attach him the idea of good
ness IN the exact proportion IN which the good evil prn
cipe pfedominates. Usng the word in this sense The
writer, while he will call Mr.. NJ a perfect man vet
undertakes 10 say that he had faults as any peron
with whom II his fortune be acquainted md
this negative species OF sustained by many
ling qualities OF the highest order. He was most alice
Tomato husband most tender parent kindrst of mas
ers and the most steadinst of friends But far in front of
all his virtues, stood humanity OF the nobes character
and charity only too difuse in its application.
IL would hardly be proper close this notice without
some allusion TO custom which the deceased brought
with him from his contemporaries Of the century and
which he maintained the day of his death. His un-
bounded hospitality Is here alluded For more than so
years, he literally kept open house. Guests in any num-
Der, when they pleased did they saw fit tad as
long as they chose and away when they thought pro
per. All were welcome alike The rich and the Sor the
proud and the humble the OF high talent and he of
the sallowest capacity distinction their enter
iainmen.
Mr.. Miller was noble specimen of those good Old
times, OF the "reminiscences OF which his memory was full
lie stood among the present generation like noble old
oak IN forest OF younger growth aud sunk, last the
nnes OF strength without having Ipeenced the tedious
process OF decay, which usually the fate OF less fou-
nate mortas lie preserved his faculties clear and I'M
ciouded 20 the last. In the beautiful language of Sep-
ture his eye not dmmed his natural force aba
ted" lie has lett TO his children the valuable of all
egaeies, an untanished and counrymen the
memory OF virtues which had long endeared him to them
ALL aud which they will continue revere as long as worth
Is held In proper estimation by the children Of men.