Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1877-05-01
For the SPECTATok.
John BrOwnlee.

MR.. EDITOR A short time ago, 4
friend, perhaps the Author, sent me
copy of the very interesting address de-
livered by Col Bolivar Christian before
the Alumni of Washington College, Ju
ly I'd, 1859, on the 'Scotch Irish Settlers
in the Valley of Virginia."
In note to page 81, where reference
is made to the battles of the Cowpens
and Guilford, in which the Augusta
troops played so conspicuous a part,
'some of the British prisoners asked,
after the battle of Guilford, to be shown
one of the guns used by these companies,
and viewing it with intensest interest,
exclaimed, that God and law should
forbid the use of such deadly weapons.
The identical gun is in possession of
John Brownlee, ESQ.,, of Augusta, whose
father bore it in the battle: its weight
is. over ten pounds; length of barrel,
three feet, eight inches; total length,
five feet; weight of ball about 20 to the
pound. An entry on the records of the
County Court assesses the value of the
arms lost by the death Of Capt. James
Tate in the battle, viz, rifle gun six
pounds, silver-hilted sword seven
pounds, ten shillings"
The mention of this venerable mans
AAe~AAC az oiiO dOOtC " uCSCCu-
dant of this Revolutionary hero, and
who, to the day of his death, occupied
the home of that father where he first
saw the light, where he raised large
family, seven of whom preceded him to
the grave, and where his esteemed wild
ow, only two years his junior, yet lives,
surrounded by three of her children,
reminds the writer that he has no where
seen any mention of his death. I can
not but think, Mr.. EDITOR, it is misfor-
tune that so many of our people are per-
mltted to pass away, and no notice of a
public character is taken of their death.
| mean no recorded notice, such as men
ton in the newspapers. This is due to
the humblest at least; vet when man
who filled so well all the duties involved
IN the character of a good citizen as
John Brownlee did for much over four
score years, to be permitted to die with
out any notice is very much to be re-
GREETED. The writer is not sure that Mr..
Brownlee was soldier in the war of 1872
or not. He several times served with
him as member of our Circuit Court
grand juries before the war, when there
was much greater discrimination used
in their selection than has been the case
since. He discharged faithfully every
duty in all the relations of life, and was
greatly esteemed by all who knew him.
He was for many years respected men,
Der of Bethel church. How vividly
recurs scene thatoccurned in the parlor
of his hospitable mansion, it may be
thirty.five years ago, when his eldest
daughter was married to young neigh
Dor of the writer. He was present as
first groomsman, and the first brides |
maid, first cousin of the bride, was |
in that day for all the beau
ty of person. and mind and manners
that make the perfect woman. She
married, but years ago passed away,
universally loved and mourned. The |
grave has closed over the bride and
groom also, and what was unusual in
the late disastrous war, the father and |
son both gave their live, for the country.
The son closed his eyes at Point Look
out, and it may be sleeps there among
the unknown" dead; the father died in
the house in which he was married.
Ii at any time the family would con-
sent that SO interesting an heirloom as
that referred to, ''the rifle" SHOULD pass
out of their custody, the writer may be
pardoned for putting in request that
the Southern Historical Society at Rich
mond may be made a receptacle for it.
ANXIOUS.