Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1852-03-25
William Wire.

william Writ, was born IN Bladensburg
Maryland, on the Sth of November, l772,
and was the youngest of six child dren.-
When he was two years of age. his father
died; eight years afterwards, his mother
was removed by death. leaving him an or
phan. with very little Of this world goods,
to win for him the caresses and elevation
which wait on the steps of,he afluent.
| HIS first removal from home, was to
grammar school in Georgetown, d. c..
where the sympathies of his susceptible
nature were for the FIRST time stirred by
absence from his native home; but Mrs.
Scfoolheld. with whom he boarded, sooth-
ed his Affections by her mild. maternal
split. and won his enduring regard. In
| 1857, he left school where he had been
for two years, and had distinguished him.
self BY rapid progress in his studies.
He earl y obtained the warmest regard
oi several eminent men. through whose
pccuniary means and influence he was
greatly aided in his career of education.-
There are few instances Of boy ten or
twelve years ofage, thus winning, by his
wit and foreshadowing talents. the heads
and hearts of distinguished strangers, and
fastening their affections to his person, in.
terests. and fame for life. One of these
friends, Mr.. Carnes. provided him home
and school at his own expense; and sub.
sequently Mr.. Edwards, attracted by his
requirements and amenity ofmanners gave
him flattering reception in his own fam
lily, as private tutor to his sons, and ac.
cess to his valuable library Twenty hap
py and useful months were spent under the
roof of Mr.. Edwards, in classical study
andpreparation for that profession to which
he was to devote his life.
In 1892. at the age of twenty, he was
admitted to the bar in Culpeper county
Virginia. His patrinony was nsarly ex.
hausted. and he entered upon his career,
with nothing but his genius to pave his
path to renown. He had no powerful
relative to clear his way; and no friends
to rely upon, but those whom he had won
among strangers, by his individual talents
and character. His legal library consist
ed of copy Of Blackstone, when he en-
tered upon his profession, a contemporary
olson of the brightest ornaments of the
Virginia bar.
Ills talents soon began to attract the at
tentlon and admiration of the first men of
the time, his prospects frightened, and his
friends increased with his business. He
was favored with home in the family of
the learned DR.. Gimer. whose daughter
he subsequently married. He was intro.
duced to the acquaintance, friendship. and
confidence of Jefferson, Madison, and Mon
roe. which closed only with their lives.
In 1893, he buried his wife, whom he
had married four years before; and feel.
ing disconsolate under the joint loss of his
wife and father-in-law. he was prevailed
upon by friends. to leave the scenes fhis
highest joys and keenest sufferngs, and
take up his abode at Richmond. lie was
at once elected Clerk ofthe House of Del
egates, and was reelected for three sue
cessive sessions which office he filed with
distinguished credit, in the meantime fol.
lowing assiduously the practice of his pro-
fession. and rapidly rising in public regard.
In 1903 he was unanimously elected by
the Legislature as Chancellor. An honor
Of such magnitude, conferred under such
circumstances, on young man only twen-
ty-nine years of age. speaks very iutclli-
gibly as to the public estimation in which
the subject Of it was held. Soon after
this, he was married to the daughter of
Col. Gambler, of Richmond, who became
the guardian spirit and solace Of the re-
mainder of his eventful life. In less than
one year he resigned the CHARACTERISTIC,
because it deprived him of the privilege
OF the practice Of law. and because the
salary was inadequate to make suitable
provision for his family, in the event of his
early decease,a feeling which ever seemed
to be moving element in his mind.
He removed to Norfolk, and began, at
once, to reap full harvest of professional
fruits. and arose rapidly to a commanding
eminence at the Virginia bar.
He removed to Richmond in 1906.
where he was fully occupied iu the prac-
tlce Of law. This was the beginning Of his
being regarded as one ofthe first legal ora
tors of his age.
In August. 1907. he was engaged in
the memorable trial of Aaron Burr, for
high treason. In this remarkable cause.
Mr. Writ immortalized himself as a n ora
tor, and evinced his love of rural beauty,
and his high appreciation of domestic bliss,
IN the VIVID picture which he drew of Blen-
nerhassett-the dupe Of Burr-and his
family scenes. at his lovely island home in
the Ohio River, that bore his name.
In 1908, the most earnest persuasloDs
were made from the highest authorities, to
induce him to engage in political life. and
consent to enter Congress; and Mr.. Jeffer.
son wrote him letter on the subject. To
this aattering proposal he replied. that he
loved his country, and was willing to do
vote bis life TO her interests, but preferred
first to place his loved ones beyond the
reach offuture want. and that the "loav es
and fishes" of Office might never be charg-
ed upon him, as motive or necessity lead.
ing him to public pursuits. A seat in the
Virginia Legislature was the only Office he
ever held by popular election.
In 1918. Mr.. Writ was called by Presi-
dent Monroe to the Office of Attorney
General ofthe United States, which he ac-
cePted with reluctance that was an unaf-
fscted and mature sentiment. He covet
ed no political honor. His thoughts were
turned towards life which was to derive
its pleasure from its domestic circle, and
Its fame from private pursuits. He refus- |
ed to be candidate for the United States
Senate in 1915. presenting a rare instance
OF lawyer and orator. abundantly to reap
the laurels of honor from any and field, re.
iuslng to accept an honorable theatre for
forensic achievements, and sure avenue
to enduring renown.
His British Spy" patrick Henry"