The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1859-10-27

tailed 10 discover Il solitary instance of tn,
fact" and then adds in note, " we think
this remark applies fairly to nearly all tn.
leading South Carolina Federaists,' i X \
was accused Of being one of the grcedes
OF the 'Ireasury Squad but the Pinckneys
the Ruttedges, the--&c, &c, were men
above personal suspicion" Neither of those
families ever required this certificate, and
they certainly do not now but the words
are quoted, as used by a political opponent
and as applying to the period of btterest
party strife. Our purpose, however, is TO
speak of the Chancellor.
Hugh Rutledge was one Of those three
brothers who gave themselves to their coun.
try, when the success OF American arms
aud the achievement Of American liberty
depended upon such "gifts." lie was born
in Christ Church Parish, District Of Chales.
ton, about the middle Of the last century,
Ills widowed mother intended him for tho
legal profession, and after receiving his
preparatory education, lie was sent to Eug-
land, as was usual to "study in the Temple"
lie returned in due time and took his 30
sl'on at the Bar, and upon the authority
of the late Thomas S. Grinke, it is said that
he rated rs among the very best com
ntcnlaw lawyers of his day" The Rev
oluuou soon commenced, and under the
head " Hugh Rutcdge." we find bv a
contemporancous historian these words
AS firm intrepid patriot. he was EN-.
i"enty distinguished by the cheerful per-
formancc Of every duty to his country."-
And again, that when the lower part Of
lie Stale WAS conqured province, Mr..
Rutledge having been created Judge Of
Admiralty, he" refused the offer of pro-
lection, and bore all the larIsl,ips of exile
1T ST. Augustine, sharing the sutferinys O
such men rs Arthur MdlIeton, Edward
R"'lvdge, Christopher Ga,lsIen, Daniel
DeSaussure, and others. And that after
his exchange lie was called to fill the
Speakers clair in the House OF Represeu
tativcs, and did SO greatly to the satisfac-
ton Of its members, &C., &c, &c.
Mr.. Rntlcdye married the daughter of
Thos. Smith, ancestor of the Ehe,t family
and by his marriage had II son, "IIurA. ."
who died i'll earl manhood, and Il daurhter
Saral',' now the wife Of Alfred lIurcr.
After tie deetll of the mother of lhes.
children, he married Mary, the daughter
CT Mayor Benz amin IIuys', who was killed
during the war Of the revolution he left
by this marriage five children, Mara
afterwards wife .! DR.. Thomas Waties. CT
Sumter; benjamin, WHO served during tn.
entire war OF 1912 to 1915: Francis, now
Bishop Of Florida; Ann aud John, who
died single. Among his male descendants
are John Watics and Il. IIuger Ru,letge,
both members of the Bar Wa,ies at Co
Iumbia and Ruliedge at Charleston.
According to Chancellor DeSaussure's
Equity Report, upon the erection and es,
tabIshment Of the Court of Chancery, after
the revolution, John RulIe,lge, RcIara
Luton, and John Mathews, were elected
Judges uf that Court, and served until
l7ol, at which time John RutIcdge was
elected Ch if Justice of the Court Of Com
mon Pleas and Sessions, and TO fill the
vacancy thus made, Hugh Rulledge was
;len elected a Judge Of the Court Of Equity
lie continued on this Bench to the day OF
his death. How he performed the func-
tons Of this high Office, it is our purpose
now TO speak. SO far as is consistent with
tho objects of the present sketch. No de.
Partment Of the law affords finer oppor-
tunllles :or the qualification Of elevated
Judicial aspirations, than that branch of the
general science which is known to LEGAL
writers as the Law Of Equity. Conversant
with the most difficult and complicated
matters which belong to the municipal law,
1t requires large and comprehensive mind
to embrace the subject in its various rela-
tious, as well as great patience Of inves,i-
CATION, and nice howers of discrimination
in him who undertakes to WELD the rene.
dial process of its delicate and refined ma.
chi"ery, and to adjust the claims of oppo-
site conflicting equities to the purposes of
practical life. Moreover, there are other
requisites, especially necessary to the Equi-
~ Judge, which arise out of the peculiar
jurisdiction Of the Courts which admins
ter this branch Of the law. A sound judg.
nsent is. taking all things into considera- =
ton, the best qualification of every judicial
officer. In Chancellor, j: is indispensable.
The Court over which he presides, is
charged with that portion Of the sovereign
authority which exerts itself in behalf of
those who are unable, under the law, to
protect themselves. The Chancellor thus
becomes, as it were, the general supervise
| and custodian Of the interest both of noreon