Beaufort Republican. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1871-1873, 1873-02-27
OBITUARY.

At a meeting Of the members Of the Beaufort Bar
held the l1th February 1879, for the purpose OF
payngh becoming tribute to the memory Of their
recently deceased associate, Mr.. Richard j. DaYant
on motion Of Mr.. WE. Colcock, Mr.. R. DcTreville
was called to the chair. and Mr. CsJ. c. Hutson re-
quested to act rs secretary.
Mr.. peTrevie explained the object OF the meeting
ina few feeling and appropriate remarks, in which
he alluded to his long acquaintance with Mr. Davant,
his great admiration for his sterling integrity his un
swerving rectitude and his rigid adherence to the
path Of duty under all circumstances both in his pub
lie and private life He said II Mr.. Dayant had any
fault that 1t was that he was too rigid in the discharge
ofhis duties.
He further said that Il was mete that the Bar, OF
which he was so long an able member should ex-
press their appreciation of his many virtues and
should pass appropriate resolutions In token Of their
sorrow in his death and their heartfelt sympathy
with bis bereaved family.
Mr.. w. F. Colcock then rose and said
Mr.. Chairman--Richard J. Dayant is dead? How
strange-how sad, how solemn do these words fall on
our ears, and with what icy codness do they touch
our hearts There Is feeling within US that almost
prompts us to exclan "oh Il Is not 1t cannot be sol
Has death indeed robbed us Of our friend2 Will we
never again behold those lneaments which are 30
freshly daguerotyped on our memories VIII we new
er more hear that voice. whose echoes have scarcely
died away within these walls! Is that form which
but while ago filled that seat now EMBODIED In the
eerements Of the gravel" Alas alas! the answering
voice of the sepuchre proclains, "Yes! he Is here
Death Is the conquerer and the victory Is mine|
Wit hlaadinO
hearts the mournful truth and bowling With submis-
sion to the decree which separates usfrom our broth
err we seek for consolation In the sweet retrospect Of
his virtues and his worth. He was good man, lov-
ing mercy doing justice and walking humbly before
God To all of US his death Is deep afiiction. To
me 1t Is a supreme personal bereavement, for we
have been knit together for nearly half of centr-
ry in the closest Ties of brotherhood.
In 1925, we commenced the study Of the law to-
gether In the village Of Coosawatche then the coun-
ty scat of justice. There the tree of our friendship
was planted there 1t put forth It's tender leaves In
our youth, bossomed in our manhood and spread Its
verdant foliage over Our heads In our old age. Few
may say none outside that sacred circle which en-
shrined him, knew him better or loved him more
and in this sad hour 1t Is my pride and pleasure to
|
ever passed between us-not a. momentary shadow
ever eclipsed the sunshine Of our love. gave him
all my heart, and received his in return. OF deep
convictions earnest nature and independant thought
he examined, weighed, apd decided everything for
himself, and 1t was an honor to be numbered among
his friends An oyershadowing sorrow has befallen
Us Mr. Chairman, and say TO each Of our mourning
friends
HOh faint not In world like this,
And thou shalt know ere long
Know, how sublime thing 1t Is,
To suffer and be strong"
Death his again invaded our ranks and another
toiler sleeps by the way-sde. When this great enc
my sends his heralds in advance, and sickness
diseases and lingering decay announces his approach
We are In some measure prepared for his coming
but when he steps suddenly into our midst without
note or warning and ;rikes down hisyictim we then
| realize that he Is Indeed the "King Of Terron.'
Such has been his recent work among us! Itseem.
but as yesterday our well-beoyed friend was with us
in the full enjoyment Of all his faculties and active
ly engaged with his accustomed diligence In the du
ties OF his profession and to-day he is numbered with
the dead What commentary upon the uncertain
ty Of life anil what loud warning TO Us all. But u
we like him arc ready for the summons, "better L
the day of our death than the day four BIRTH"
Richard James Davant was born on Hilton Head
in the district Of Beaufort on the 22d June 1905 Id
was educated at home among his friends and COM
panions Of his boyhood and his youth, and In 1926
he entered the law Office OF the late Judge William
d. Martin, and was admitted to the Rar In 1921 IL
1885, at the early age Of twentyeght he was elected
by the legislature to the important Office Of commits
sioner In equity, which office he continued to holt
for thirty consecutive years. when in 1854 he de
cIined reelection In 1860 the Port Royal Railroad
was chartered, and after though filling the oic
Of commissioner In equity, he was solicited by TN
friends Of that enterprise to accept the office OF Presi
dent which he filled until 1865 when he resigned. II
1864 he was appointed one Of the board OF visitors
the State Military Acadamy and was elected by hi
associates to preside their chairman. In 1865 tn
parish system OF representation was abolished, an'
instead of four senators from Beaufort district on
one vas TO be elected. Mr.. Dasant was chosen with
out oppostion 10 MI this onorable and responsible
position and held It until the adoption Of the
constitution.
II win thus be seen by this brief sketch that ou
lamented friend was marked Immediately as he as
sumed the obligations ofmanhood, as one whom hi
country and his friends needed for duty. And wei
and faithfully did he perform every task that wa
ever assigned him. OF clear and vigorous intellect
sound judgment, unspotted integrity and unwearic
industry, he accomplished all he undertook with en-
inent success, ard has let behind him as publ
man, name which win be ever honorcd and chez
ished by his fsllow-citizens.
And when we turn to the contemplation OF hi
character in private life, we there everything
love- admire and respect United from early life Il
those ties which alike bless and consecratc life,
enjoyed an unusual share Of domestic happiness an
peace. Soui ounded by large and devoted famii!
his home was the scat OF love, order and cultivate
refincmont OF him 1t may truly be said that "hos
pitality stood porter at his door" AS HUSBAND
father, friend and neighbor he illustrated with eS
emplary fidelity every virtue which can adorn tines
endearing relations Of life Confesslng from an earl
ape his Saviour before men, ne added TO all these th
crowning graces of the christian character
Last of all IL was hero In our midst that we. VIII
are now assembled to lay humble offerings on nj
tomb knew him best and mourn him mos.. As
member Of our noble profession, he did eyerythtn
to elevate its character preserve its purity and mail
tain lis influence. Learned In the law, liberal /
practice true to his client yet generous to his adve
sary with noble ends by noble means pursued" b
vas in the truest sense OF these words lawyer and
gentleman.
But he Is gone! No more shall we see that cain
quiet dynited form amongst us, or receive that co
dial grating with which he ever welcome us 10 n
? prcscnce-loag, aye long will we mourn his dea'
and fed that void has been left in our circle Whc
It will bs hard TO fill. But We are not lett 10 ouf
| uithnnt cnnifnrt We have well-grOunded assu