Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1847-09-23
FROM THE POLITICAL ARENA.
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SAO4HAFAXs
The following autobiography Of the late
Judge Pendleton, of this State, is now, for the
first time, presented TO the public. Ii is a
most interesting and valuable relic II holds
out bright lesson, and affords most encou-
raging example TO native genius, industry.
perseverance and virtue. Ii brea,hes spirit
81 pieiy and humility, which is most admra-
Bile. In popular government like our own,
such examples ought to be cherished Let the
young aspirants for public honors and prefer
meni, read this biography, and follow on in
his slow, steady. useful. aud brilliant course
10 all such, it is most earnestly dedicated
The writer OF these few predatory remarks
saw him once, only few months before his
death. IN 1903, and he finds renewed on his
memory those feelings of respect, reverence,
and gratitude, conspired by his venerable ap.
pearance, and the associations of his cminen,
public services. He died al the advanced age
OF 50 years. in the full enjoyment Of his men
tai faculties and almost literally in the dis
charge Of his judicial duties.
was born Sept. 9, l72l: my father died
sometime before. In Feb. 1884 5 was
bound apprentice to Col. Benjamin Robinson,
Clerk of Caroline Court. In 1897, was
made Clerk of the vestry of ST. Mary's Parish
in Caroline; with the profits purchased few
books, and read them very diligently. In
l740, ! was made Clerk Of Caroline Court
Martial. In April, l74l, with my masters
consent, was lcenced to practice the Law,
as an Attorney, being strictly examined by
to Betty, daughter Of Mr.. John Roy, against
my friends consent, as also my masters, who
nevertheless, still continued his affection to me-
My wife died Nov. IL, l742. | was married
a second time, the Goth ofJan. l745, TO Sarah,
the daughter Of Mr.. Joseph Pollard, who was
born the 4ih day of May 1875 pracliced
my profession with great appreciation and
success, more from my own good fortune, and
the kind direction OF providence, than my
own merit; and in October, l745, my reputa-
ton at the COUNT Courts prompted.me to
make an effort at the General Court, in which
continued, till l774, when the dispute with
Great Britain commenced. In Nov. l75l,
was sworn Justice ofthe Peace for Caroline,
and continued to Nov. l777. In January
1852, l was elected Burgess for Do. was
continued one of the representatives of Caro-
line without interruption until IVA, at which
time | presided in Caroline Court, and was
County Lieutenant. In June ofthat year, news
arrived of the inimcal designs Of Parliament a.
gainst the town of Boston on which account
the Assembly voted fast and Were dissolved
by the Government. A number of members
STAYED in Williamsburg 10 keep the fast, when
news arrived Of the Boston Port Bill when
they collected and recommended to the people
TO choose members for Convention, to meet in
August. ] was chosen member TO that con
vention who voted the utility Of General
Congress OF the States to meet in Philadelphia
the first Of Sept. i was chosen, and attended
that Congress. and second in May, I775.--
In Aug l775 was appointed President Of the
Committee of Safety, and in Dec following
President of the Convention, on the death OF
Mr.. Randolph, and re-chosen President ofthe
new one in MAY, I776. In Oct. l776, was
elected 10 the chair of the House Of Delegates
who sat under the new Constitution. In
March, l777, BY a fall from horse. | had my
hip dslocated, and have been unable to walk
ever since, except on cruiches however the
good people of Caroline the next month chose
me delegate, in hopes Of my recovery but
| could not attend in May session, and anoth-
er speaker was appointed; in which. howev-
er, was highly honored, by all the candidates
having promised TO resign the chair, when |
should come. attended, on crutches, in the
October session, but meant then to take leave
of all public business and return. But the
General Court and Court of Chancery being
established, | was prevailed upon by some
worthy members TO consent TO be nominated
as Chancery Judge, in which was elected
10 the Presidency; and the whole 3 by an u
unanimous vote. In l779, when the court Of
Appeals was organized, and made 10 consist
Of the Judges of the General Court, Chance
ry and Admiralty, the Chancellors were to
have the first rank. and Of course presided
in that Court In 1888, when new arrange.
ment was made Of the Superior Courts, and
that of Appeals TO consist Of separate Judges,
retained my rank in tina; court, and so may
be considered as having been now Is years at
the head of the Judiciary Department. In
l7SS, when State Convention was 10 meet
TO consider Of a new proposed plan Of federal
Government, and all the officers Of the State
made eligible, my good old friends in Caroline
again called me 10 their representation IN
Convention, and that respectable body to pre-
side over them. INDUCING me with sitting in
all my official duties, usually performed stand
ing. Thus without any classical education
without patrimony-wiihout what is called
the influence of Family Connection, and with
out solicitation, have attained the highest Of
fees of my Country.
have often contemplated it as a rare and
extraordinary instance, and pathetically ex-
claimed, "Not unto me, not unto me o Lord,
bu, unto thy name, be the praise" In his
Providence He was pleased TO bestow on me
a docile and unassumlng mind, a retentive
memory, fondness for reading, clear head,
and upright heart, with calm temper, be-
nevolent to all though particular in friend
ship with hut few; And i'll had uncommon
merit in public business il was that Of superb
or diligence and attention. Under the Regal
Government | was Wing IN principle
considering it as designed for the good ofsoci-
ETY.. and moi for the aggran1izement OF its Of
ficers; and influenced in my legislative and
judicial character by that principle. When
the dispute with Britain began, redress of
grievances, and not revolution of govern
ment. was my wish; in this was firm, but
temperate; and whilst was endeavoring to
raise the spirits OF the timid to general united
opposition, by stating to the uniformed the
real merits Of the dispute, opposed and en-
deavorod to moderate the violent and Gery /,
who were for punging US into rash measures.
and had the happiness 10 find majority oil all
the public bodies confirmed my sentiments !:
which. believe, was the cornerstone OF our
success. Although so long, aud TO so high
a degree, experienced the favor my country.
had always some enemies; few indeed, and
had the consolation 10 believe that their en-
nifty was unprovoked, as was ever unable
TO guess the cause, unless it was my refusing
TO 60 length with them, as their partzan.