Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1869-01-22
Death Of James Augustus Black, ESQ.,

AS1s
1t is with feelings of profound
sadness that we announce tho death
of one we'll known to us all-James
Augustus Black, Esq-who died
of pneumonia in Columbia, South
Carolina, on Tuesday, the 10Th
instant Only a few weeks since we
were called upon to chronicle the death
OF a gifted nephcw-Joseph F. Black,
Jr.-who was nipped in his budding
promise, like some frag agilc flower, which
had yet scarce slipped the morning
dew. And now the uncle is taken in
the prime Of manhood and in the vigor
Of his facultics-tal1en from the busi-
ness and hustle Of active life from its
absorbing cares and cngrossing inter-
ests, to meet the changed scenes and
untried realities Of the spirit land.
About Il week ago he bid US adieu on
q visit to Yorkvillo to arrange his
business rs assignee in bankruptcy,
with the accumulated papers of weeks
OF daily labor and nightly toll, pre-
pared with his accustomed neatness
and fdelity-with his credentials as
representative from Abbcville to the
Legislative body in Columbia-with
the accounts of the District officers,
and charged with various commissions
from friends. We can bear witness to
the untiring assiduity and kindness of
heart with which he undertook the
discharge Of these Offices of daty and
friendship, aud the fidelity and prompt
ness which he brought to their per-
formance. But alas death came to
release him from earthly engagements,
to sunder all ties Of human affection.
and to blast all hopes of worldly
ambition to afford another lesson of
the frailty Of life, the transitory nature
of it's enjoyments, and tho vanity of
it's anticipatione.
We have not the materials, nei.
thor would time permit US at
present, to enter upon an OK.
,tonded biography of our departed
friend. He was a native of our Dis.
trict, and here survive mother, q
brother and sister, and other near
relatives to deplore their untimely
loss. He was of distinguished Revo.
lutionary ancestry, q grandson Of
Joseph Black, for many years State
Senator from Abbeville, and one of q
NUMEROUS family long identified with
our District and State. Enjoying the
advantages Of an excellent early od;,-
cation, he studied law in the Office OF
Chancellor Caldwell, Of Columbia, and
soon found oongeniai employment and
full scope for his habits. Of systematic
arrangement and metbodical industry
In the Secretary Of States oflce. His
familiarity with. the records Of that
Office, and his excellent business Ca
paeity led to his selection as the
Agent Of the State in prosecuting it's
Revolutionary claims against tho
General Government, and but for the
breaking out OF the war these claims
would have bcen fully adjusted! Dur.
ing the war he was clected to the
honorable and responsible Office of
Comptroller General, the duties of
which he discharged efficiently and
Faithfully. Losing in the agensral
wreck his Office and his books, and
the weli-earned fruits of many years
Of labor, he returned to his, native
District to repair hisshattered fortnnes
among the friends of his boyhood
During the past twelve months he
| resided here *as tho general assignee
inSaincst all the cases in banKru1tev
from our District; and to saHthat
thessdatiee were promptly, faithfalls
and edleieatiy performed, lis syayine .
but'a feeble atributS to hisnuntirfhe
industry audebusiness capacity. giaas' .
I I Cur deceased friend possessed 'ip 81 /.
eminent togree all the 1charatt tssristis
traits of his family yLquick cknsas IL 'pes.
1eeption, fstentiveness ~ rfisoshofY ai,
|snstihe hetive appreciation Of character
just sense of propriety, Kindness oI
heart, equabiiity Of Temper. aud sredai
'Fsri avffw az ufsn6nS y1S{ssa ELL. n. 8