Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1873-07-08

veloped into Washington College, and at Ia
ter day. expanded into the noble institution
"Washington and Lee University
Major Stuart was married three times. Hi
first wife was Mary Patterson, of the Soutl
river family, of that name. By her he hac
two sons, VIZ: Judge Archibald Stuart, O
Staunton, and Robert Stuart, of Rockbridge
and five daughters, viz Francis, Jane, Mary
Elizabeth and Eleanor.
His second wife was Mrs. Mary Moore,
widow. whose maiden name was Mary Moore
By her he had four children, viz: James Pris
| ella, Alexander and Benjamin.
Late In life. Major Stuart married widow
| lady, named Anna Reid, whose maiden name
was Miller.
Major Stuart survived his last wife, and liveC
| to very advanced age, being near 90 year.
cid, at the time of bis death. He was buried
on the Hall farm
JUDGE ARCHIBALD STUART, of Augusta, tht
Oldest son of Maj A. Stuart, was born on tht
18th of March, 1857, on the farm formerl,
owned by John Burk, but now the property Of
Geo. Harnesbarger, about two miles west o
Waynesboro. But his father afterwards re-
moved to the neighborhood Of Brownsburg
After receiving sucn instruction as he could OBJ
tain In the common schools of the country, and
at Liberty Hail." he went to William aud
Mary College, in the Fall of 1880, where be
prosecuted his studies during the Autumn and
Winter. In the Spring Of 1881. the Southern
States being then over-run by Cornwallis, be
left College and joined the American Army
under Gen'l Greene, to which bis fathers reg
iment belonged, then stationed in North Caro-
lima, near GuiIford G. Fl. He participated &C
lively in that sanguiDary battle, acting as vol
unteer aid to Gen. Greene.
After the close of active bostilites, he. studied
law under the instruction of Thomas jefferson,
for whom he entertained strong friendship.
As token OF his esteem, he named his eldest
son after the ilIustrious author of the Declara-
ton of Independence.
Having completed bis studies, he returned
to his fathers home in Rack bridge, and at the
next succeeding election, he was induced to be-
come candidate to represent Rock bridge
county in the General Assembly. AS be was
comparatively unknown to the voters, he was
defeated by majority of about 13 votes
At this period, an incident occurred In the
history of Archibald Stuart life, which was
so singular that we cannot fcrbear from placing
it on record
At that time, las was the case for many
years afterwards, the elections were held on
suS AZ oS 0oJo VI lhO AAplu VI lHG Several
counties; aud as no precincts had been estab-
ished, all the people voted at the Court Houses
Rockbridge then las now held her County
Court, on the lst Monday, and Botetourt on
the second Monday, in each month
On the Wednesday after the Rockbridge
election, at which Archibald Stuart was de-
feated, Major Stuart requested his son tor go to
Botetourt, to attend to some bushes, which he
desired to have transacted with COL Geo Skill
ern, who lived on James River. and two mixes
above Pattonsburg. He accordingly went to
Col. Skillern 5 residence, and after attending to
the business was about to return home, when
he received an earnest invitation to remain AID
attend Barbecue, to be held at Pattonsburg
on the succeeding Friday. He consented, and
in company with Col. Saillern, attended the
Barbecue, where many patriotic taasts were Of
fered and speeches made. Among others was
a toast complimentary to the soldiers of the
Revolutionary war which had just closed. To
this toast Mr.. Stuart was called on to respond.
which he did, In manner SO acceptable to the
company, that they began to make enquiries in
regard to him; and hearing that he had been,
on the preceding Monday, defeated as q can
didate for the Legislature from Rockbridge,
some gentlemen suggested the idea CT electiug
him from Botetourt This suggestion was fa-
vorably received, and committee was appoint
ed to wait upon Dir. Stuart and submit the
proposition to him, This was done and Mr.
Stuart at once declined, stating, among other
reasons, that he was not free-holder in Bote-
tourt and was, therefore, ineligible. Col. Skill
ern promptly met that objection, by proposing
to convey to him a small house and lot, which
he owned in Fincastle. Yielding, at last, to
the opportunities of the gentlemen present, he
finally consented to become a candidate for
BotetouIt, and Col. Skillern executed, in due
form, the necessary deed to make him free
holder. Mr.. Stuart remained with Mr. Skill
lern until the following Monday, when he went
to Fncastle, declared himself candidate-ad-
dressed the people from the Hastings, and was
duly elected delegate from Botetourt He
represented that county for three years, when
he removed to, aud settled in Staunton, for the
purpose of pursuing the profession of the law.
He rapidly gained the confidence and fa-
favor of the people of Augusta, and in 1883 was
elected, as the colleague of Zachariah Johnston,
to represent the county of Augusta In the Con-
vention called to ratify or reject the Constitu-
ton of the United States He was ardeutIy in
favor of adopting the Constitution, and took
an active part In accomplishing that result.
In may 1871. Archibald Stuart interrnauied
with Eleanor Briscoe, second daughter Of Col.
Gerard Brisc0e, originally of Montgomery coun-
ty, Maryland, but then of Frederick county,
Va Col. Briscoe had two other daughters,
viz: Mary, who married DR.. Cornelius Bald
win (the father of the late Judge Briscoe G..
Baldwin, and Elizabeth, who married Judge
Hugh Holmes, of Winchester.
About the time Of Archibald Stuarts mar
riage, he was elected to the Senate of Virginia,
of which body, he was, subsequently, chosen
President.
He remained in the Senate during all the
exciting scenes attending the discussion and
adoption of the resolutions of $500 10 1899
he was elected Judge Of the Circuit Court of
Virginia, and assigned to the Circuit of which
Augusta was part This Office he held until
June 1st. 1881, when he retired, In the 18th
year of his age, and was succeeded by the late
Judge Lucas ?. Thompson.
Judge Stuart always took an active part 10
the politics of the country. He was a jealous
supporter of the old Republican party, and was
member Of the electoral colleges of 1900 and
1904, which cast the vote of Virginia for JEFF
ferson; Of the colleges of 1903 and 1912, which
voted for Madison; of the colleges Of 1916 and
1920, which voted for Monroe, and of the col
lege of 1924, which voted for VIM. Ii. Craw-
ford.
Whilst Judge Stuart was at the Bar and in
political life, he was thrown into intimate asso-
citation with Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson,
John Marshall, James Madison, James Mon
roe, and many other distinguished men Of the
Revolutionary era, aud warm feeling of friend
ship existed between them, which lasted dur
Jog their lives. Judge Stuart practiced with
Patrick Henry at the Court held at New Lon
don, in Campbell county, and heard most of
those marvellous displays of eloqueuce which
have placed Mr. Henry at the head of the list
q t. L