Weekly American. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1858-1858, 1858-02-20
OBITUARY.
BY EDWARD VAN NESS, ESQ

o5 i9r4 How many fall as sudden, not as safe" S
In CavaIla near Cape Palmas, West Africa, on the
18th day of June last the Rev. Hugh Hamilton Hol-
comb, an Episcopal Missionary, aged 80.
The subject Of this sketch was gentleman of un-
usual intellectual ability, commanding person, dign
fed address, high attainment scholar, and great
personal popularity. F 4ggT sYF8E7}F
Born on the 18th day Of May, 1925, on the banks
of the Pennington, in CRANKY, Hartford county, Con-
necticut he passed most of his time until the age of
fifteen, in agricultural pursuits and in acquiring
knowledge Of the ordinary branches taught in com
mon district school, where he took rank above his
elders bis proficiency, even in childhood giving in
dications of superior mind. At the age Of fifteen,
in ls40 he commenced fitting for College at Hudson
Academy, New York, then under the charge of his
father, Lemuel G. Holcomb, A. NJ as Principal, and
90 greatwas his progress that in 1s4, one year from
that time, on applying for admission into Trinity
College, Hartford, Connecticut he passed the usual
examinations with great acceptance, and continued
until the end of the second term of the senior year
member of that Institution; exemplary, as well in
moral character as in his devotion TO study and direct
observance Of the rules Of the College 1t the CON-
encement of the last term, senior year. he entered
Union College Schenectady, NY, where he graduated
in1s45 at the age OF twenty and Notwithstanding his
short term in that institution, distinguished part
was assigned him in the exercises at commencement
Soon after graduating, he visited the city of WASH
ington, with the view Of listening 10 the oratory Of
and becoming acquainted with, the distinguished men
Of the country and while there was prevailed on to
accept the situation of confidential clerk 10 General
John P. Van Ness, gentleman Of princely fortune
formerly member Of Congress from New York, his
native State Major General in the District of Column
bia and for several consecutive years Mayor Of Wash
ington, and President of the Bank of Metropolis Who
shortly after an introduction TO him, being charmed
with the brliancy of his intellect as well as the
purity of his character became anxious TO his
services in that capacity and offering him the ST.
uaton also invited him to reside in his family at his
stately mansion on the banks Of the Potomac. He
continued with the General until the death of the lat
ter when he became private secretary to the Hon.
Cornelius p. Van Ness brother ofthe General form
erly Judge Of the Superior Court and Governor of
Vermont and lately American Minister at the Court
of SPAIN and Collector Of the Port Of New York. with
whom he continued for some time, when becoming
anxious to visit his native home he returned 10 Con-
Dectcut where he continued for about year, occu-
pied in the cultivation of his paterna acres when he
was recalled 10 Washington during the Administer
ton of President Fillmore by appointment in one
Of the Departments During his former residence in
that city, much of his time bad been devoted 10 the
study of law and shortly after bis return he was adj
mitted 70 the bar but more Difference TO the wishes
of his friends than in accordance with his own views.
Though Mr.. Hocomb had in early life been strongly
impressed with the necessity Of religious prepare
ton, he had never made profession Of religion until
after his residence in Washington and his acquaint
ance with the Rev Clement NJ Butler, d. d., whom
be considered being under Frovidence the instrn-
ment Of his conversion Soon after being admitted
to the bar, he entered the Theological Seminary in
Fairfax county, Virgins in 1884, where he remained
three years. at the expiration of which time being
then thirty years Of age, he ordained and after
preaching in different parts Of the Middle and North
States with distinguished success, in March, 1885,
he sailed as missionary 10 Africa. In character,
Mr. Holcomb wssremarkable for uniting great energy
with unusual mildness and eveppess Of temper He
was noted also for his benevoIence. One auecdote
will serve to illustrate fhis. During bis residence
with Governor Van Ness, colored boy, whose bust
ness Il was to sweep and arrange the Office appeared
anxious TO acquire education and Mr. Holcomb
took II upon himsefto do the Office work. thus giving
the boy, in the meantime, an opportunity TO pursue
his studies. Hewas also Of romantic cast of charac
ter fond Of poetry and some Of his productions
in that branch Of writing exhibit high order Of tai
ents Being Of an adventurous disposition military
life had Mt one time strong attractions for him, but
after his conversion all his energies were directed
towards advancing the of religion and the same
spirit Of adventure and enterprs which IN early fe
under propitious circumstances, might have induced
him 10 follow In the footsteps III WORTH or q Scott
cansed him 70 become missionary. Religion ap.
peared 10 have entirely changed his natural bent
With q form that might we'll have graced the battle
field, and hand that could have welded the sabre
and tanned the war horse in his 6ercest mood, he
chose not n n 4 ,ii lE1liH Ut l'f
To follow 70 the field some warlike lord"
but TO enter the service of the Prince of Peace and
devoted himself 10 the tstious though noble
and sanity task Of cuvstng the minds Of the rude
natives OF Africa and when at last he was called from
this scene OF suffering and trial higher and bet
ter world he le not torn from life by the rude hand
Of violence amidst the shouts and wild hurrahs Of
contending armies but in obedience 70 the gentle
summons Of his Divine Master, o.Ilinp him 70 the
abode prepared for him in the mansions of the blest
Tho writer has long intimately known this devoted
soldier of the Cross of Christ having met with him
Familiarity and often al his home in Connecticut and
been contemporary with him at Washington, during
agreater part Of his residence In that city He has
fallen In far distsntand inhosritble cline, and rs
he fell with bis srrnor on, martyr TO his faith and
lofty scneoof duty, no has earned, and The writer
doubts not has received the guerdon which he sought
"a hkyr's crown .,it