The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1872-06-07
HENRY M STUART, sR., oFBEAUFoRz

his L1OSG cSLluldUlo SouGltuldu uuu iCouiut
citizen OF Beaufort died in his native town or
the 9th of May, In the SEVENTEEN year of hi
age. His life, and especially Its closing
days, so well illustrated all the highel
qualities Of our people, and afforded to The
young men Of the Stale 80 instructive an e1
ample, that we desire, even at this late day
to record in our columns our high apprecia
| ton of his character.
He was one of the few last remsi-ing link:
which bound the gracious and htp.y past o.
the old town with the present time. And he
was the last of large family of brothers who
have been loved and honored in the commu
miles In which they lived.
Like all his family, he was reverent to the
aged, gentle to the poor aud courteous to the
humble. To these attractive qualities were
added liberal education, and quiet wisdom
uprlghtness, dignity and purity which com
manded the entire confidence Of all who ap
preached him. Educated as merchant he
had early learned the lessons of promptness
In the dispatch Of business, pnnctuaiity IN the
discharge OF his obligations, and OF accuracy
and prudence In the management Of his affairs.
1t was by such qualities that he amassed q
comfortable fortune as a planter. His busi
ness correspondents In this city during q
period of more than forty years, unclouded BY
a single shadow of difference, bear the
warmest testimony to his great energy and
practical sagaclty, and especially to his un'
swervlng sense Of justice and his grateful and
aff4ctIonste appreciation Of the generous con-
fidence they reposed In him.
At the close OF the war, stripped of fortune
like the rest Of bis people, he returned to the
wasted Town of Beaufort, amidst the social
chaos which then prevailed, to find his home.
stead reduced to the bare walls which once
sheltered his happy family. But this did not
daunt him. Although then an old man, and
compelled to look to others for aid and co.
operation, with characteristic energy and
;sagacity, and above all with hopeful cheer
lulness which was admirable, he filled those
blackened walls with machinery, and by his
industry soon provided for his household.
Strangers from the North looked on with ir-
resistble admiration, sympathy and respect.
They had an opportunity of seeing man not
only undsunted by misfortune, but one 10
whom truth and uprightness were so natural
that they seemed not to be the efforts oil his
conscience, but the sponslaneous pulsatlons Of
bis life. By his tact aud gentleness and jus.
lice he also dlsarmed the prejudlces, or rather
revived the ancient affections, OF the freed
men. The whole community was saddened
by his Illness. On the occasion of his funeral
services all business was suspended In the
town, and men Of differing natlvlties, opln-
ions, races and conditions gathered In grief
around the open grave of this honored citizen
and "most gentle gentleman"
This is the brief record OF q retired but
''noble life," and the young men Of the State
may well ponder Its less ons.
There was one tie between Mr.. Stuart and
the people of this State which must not be for
gotten. IL was In one OF his daughters that
the gallant and accomplished young soldier,
General Stephen Elliott, found the gentle wife
who stood so faithfully and bravely by him
during his eventual and heroic lie, who began
TO droop when he died, and soon rested by his
side. 1t was at their grandlather's hearth
that their orphaned children found happy
home, and were there cherished With proud
affection. And before no died he was thought
lul OF their luture welfare. Many Csrollnian
will remember Fort Sumter, and will thank
him.