The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1878-05-15
The Press and Banner
Wednesday, May Is, 1878.
Hon. Il. T.. Perrin.

ClOCh ScStSENdS uioIliHS, Vic I Al
slant, in the seventy-third of his age.
Mr., Perrin was the son of Samuel Per
rim, and was born October l, 1905, on Hare
Labor Greek, in the vicinity of the farm
now owned by the deceased, and known
as Cotton Level, in Abbeville County,
OF his boyhood and early education we
know but little except that he was for q
while a pupil of Rev. John L. Pressly
and Rev. John S. Presslv, who taught
school at Union Academy, near the
present residence of Mr.. James H.
Wideman in this county. His only
classmates at this school were Rev.
James p. Pressly, Rev. Ebenczer Press
ly, D. D., and Rev. James NJ. Chiles,
D. D., all of whom after long lives of en-
inent usefulness have preceded him to
the grave. In 1924 he entered the South
Carolina College, where he graduated
with credit to himself in 1927. Among
those who were in college with him were
Judge Withers ard others, who after
wards attained distinction in the State.
After graduating in the collegiate litera-
nv course, he returned to Abbeviile
Court House and studied law with Judge
Wardlaw and Governor Noble who were
then partners in the practice of the legal
profession. In May, lS2S-just fifty
years ago-he was admitted to the Bar,
of which he has so long been a promi-
nent member. Soon after he was admit
ted to the Bar the partnership of Ward
law & Noble was dissolved, when he and
Judge Wardlaw formed 4 partnership
This firm received a large practice. AS
early as 1910 Mr.. Perrin had become
prominent for his familiarity with the
law and for his success as a practitioner.
and when the firm of Wardlaw & Perrin
was dissolved by the elevation Of the
senior partner to the Bench. he retained
their large practice. Subsequently Cen
eral MCGOWAN was a partner in the office
with him for perhaps seven or eight
wears. About the year 1858 Mr.. Perrin
accepted the Presidency Of the Green
Vile and Columbia Railroad and per-
formed the duties of that position ably
and faithfully until 1866.
He WAS familiar with the practice of the
law under the old system, and had its
mode of working ready at his command.
He was particularly conversant with the
subject Of conveyancing and was in such
matters q most safe counsellor. In all
matters pertaining to the legal profession,
denominated "office business" he was
always ready and accurate. While this
was the Case, it is also true that he was
an effective speaker before ajury. 1t
was once remarked by one of his breth-
rem of the profession, that he never feared
anything so much before q jury a. the
face of the deceased, beaming, rs it did,
tons of duty. Upon the elevation Of
his partner to the Bench, he well sus-
tanned the reputation of the old firm, and
showed himself no unworthy competitor
of the best legal talent of the Bar. AS a
LAWYER he was q man of fine business
capacity, orderly and systematic IN his
habits, and owing to his mathematical
bent Of mind he was, while a member Of
the firm Of Wardlaw & Perrin, entrusted
with all settlements to be made with the
public officers, and especially with the
Court Of Ordinary. In all such matters
his judgment and actions were unerring.
In the discharge of all the duties of life
he was honest, and conscientious, and al
though firm and answering in the
course of duty, he was remarkable for
his uniform courtesy and atfabilIty.
He was related, directly or indirectly,
to q majority Of the citizens of our viii
lage, and was Looked up to as the head of
this large and influential connection.
BY the people Of Abbeville County he
was universally esteemed and respected
for integrity and devotion to their best
Interests. A man OF pure character and
consistent life, he maintained an unblem-
ished reputation throughout all the
changes of a long and honOred career.
For many years he was a member of
the Stale Legislature, and was for some
time State Senator from this County
until he was succeeded by Hon. +. }.
Marshall in 1850. Retiring from active
participation in the politics OF the coun
ty he still retained u deep interest in the
public welfare, and by his presence and
discretion often gave tone and proper
direction TO the sentimt nts and express
sions of the various meetings Of citizens
which occurred after that time, and Was
often called upon to preside on such oc-
casions. Notably so in the instance Of
the first mass meeting which was held to
consider the question of secession. This
was held in the grove above the Depot
which has since been called Secession
HILL" from the fact that beneath those
trees was held the first mass meeting OF
the people of the South IN the interests
OF o cause which inaugurated and set in
motion the war between the States. Al
this meeting he introduced "the Hon.. a.
&. Magrath as the man who would fire
the first gun for Secession That day
the assembled citizens chose Mr.. Perrin
as their trusted leader and Chairman of
the Abbeville delegation who were to
represent Abbeville County i'll the Con-
vention which afterwards passed the Or
dinance of Secession, and be was first to
sign the roll OF that historic paper.
This was his last political act as 4 pub
lie servant.
His friends however seemed loath to al
low him to retire from the political arena,
and in the campaign of S6S, placed his
na,ne on the ticket in nomination for
Lieutenant-G Governor, with that of the
Hon. w. ID. Porter for Governor. These
gentlemen were in thai canvass the STAN
dard bearers Of Democracy in South Car
DINA. While Mr.. Perrin and Mr.. Porter
received the vote Of the white population,
our readers will remember that the
Northern adventures in conjunction
with the newly cnfranchised citizens sue
ceeded in their policy of reconstruction.
In 1880 Mr.. Perrin married Jane Ward
law, daughter OF james Wardlaw, ESD,
and sister of Judge ,Wardlaw. She now
mourns the loss ofhim who shared in
all her joys and sorrows throughout the
long welded life OF nearly fifty years
They arc the parents Of a large family Of
children, some Of whom have preceded
him to the grave. The surviving mem-
bers of the family TO the third generation
constitute an important element in che Sd
ciai circle ut Abbeville. Four of his SONS
entered the war-twO of whom fell at the
post of duty and two returned to the
peaceful pursuits of life.
" biStiiiSdiSllFo d. NIL. ISllil "NS,
adjoining all the relations of life, as a
lawyer, rs a leader Of the people, as a
trusted business man, ami as z private
citizen, in one was he more Distinguish
ed than in his relations with the church.
He was remarkable for The activity
and zeal he displayed in the affairs Of the
Presbyterian Church OF which he. WAS q
member. lie connected himself when
quite a young man, with Upper Long
Cane Church, and has ever since lived the
life Of a consistent Christian, and many
years ago, peahaps under the ministra-
ton OF DR.. Barr or during DR.. Turner's
first pastorate here, he was elected an e.
der in the church for which office his
godly walk and conversation emincntly
fitted him.
He has been often entrusted with i'm
portant commissions by the Abbeville
congregation, and was frequently q dele
= gate to the ecclesiastical bodies OF the
Church. For years he was President of
the Board Of Trustees Of the General AS
sembly of the Presbyterian Church,
South, and as a consequence, was pre-
sent st nan of he, annual meetings OF
this large and intelligent body OF Chris
tians, whers his influence was acknowl-
edged and felt
In the exercise OF the duties of the
Office of Elder, as we'll as in his conduc.
in other church affairs, his brethren had
great confidence in his Judgment and dis,