The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-10-28

Rev. David Seth Doggett, ID. d.. one o.
the Bishops OF tho Methodist Episcopa
Church. South, died at his residence, in thi:
city. at 9:45 last night, after long and pain
fl1 illness, in the seyenty-first year OF hi:
age.
Bishop Doggett was born in Lancaster
county, Va, January 26, 1910. He was {
descendant from long line Of English an
cestors, who always sustained good and
solid character for the manly virtues OF pro
bity, honor. and high respectability. His
great-grandiather on his fathers side oi
the family was an English clergyman
Of the Established Church OF Eng
land, and was the rector OF one
Of the old Colonial Episcopal churches In
the Northern Neck OF Virginia, long before
the Revolutionary war. Bishop DOggetts
early academical education looked 10 prep
aration for the legal profession, but he was
detected from this purpose by his conyer'
sion, which was followed by a conviction
that it was his duty To devote himself to the
work OF the gospel ministry. Leaving
school, he spent year teaching in Orange
county, Va, and In preparation for the sa-
cred work upon which he proposed to en-
| ter.
In February, 1929, at the session OF the
| Virginia Annual Conference OF the MethO.
| dis. Episcopal Church held in Lyuchburg,
| Va, he was received on trial into what is
called "The Travelling Connection" aud
appointed to the Roanoke circuit in North
| Carolina "a Junior preacher, or " helper"
| tinder the Rev. T. Il. Brame, preacher in
charge" He was young and handsome,
with agreeable manners and winning ad-
dress, and witba was a most fervid, earnest,
and eloquent preacher for one Of his years.
lie acquired unbounded popularity, and
| became universal fayOrite among the
people.
The effect upon the novit'ate, as he him.
| self has often been heard to say, was 10 in
fate him with the hopes and expectation
that at the ensuing session OF the Confer
ence he would be promoted TO the pastorate
OF town or city charge. His surprise, not
to say positive modification, was great
when, at the Confer ence held in the yestry-
room Of the Monumental (EpiscopaD church
| in the city of Richmond, February, 1880,
he was read out by the presiding Bishop to
| the Mattamuskeet circuit, in the loWlands
OF North Carolina, than which, at that time,
there was not a more undesirable appoint
ment in the bounds OF the Virginia Confer
ence, then embracing a large portion OF
North Carolina in its territory.
On horseback, through an unknown re-
gion OF country, over bad roads, in the cold
and wintry weather, the disappointed
young preacher plodded his weary way, for
| two or three hundred miles, 10 his distant
field OF labor. He was cordially received /;
| soon became exceedingly popular, and had
| year OF great success in the ministry. AT
the Conference held in Newberne, North
Carolina, February, 1881, be was appointed
to the Petersburg station, there being then
but one Methodist church in the town.
His surprise was quite as great as when he
was appointed 10 MattamuSkeet the previous
year. He went TO his work. with trepida-
ton and mi>givings as TO his ability to meet
the demands OF bis new charge; but in a
short time he acquired a reputation and
popularity that was perfectly marvellous.
His church was crowded at every service
with the best and most influential citizens
OF the town. An extraordinary religious
interest was awakened under his eloquent
and powerful preaching, which continued
through the whole year, with large and
valuable accessioDs 10 the church. He
was sent TO Lyuchburg in 1882. And
now his reputation was established, and
he was put fully on the high road to that
success and renOwn that crowned his fu-
ture life. In 1888 he was again stationed in
Lynchburg, Va, where like results followed
bis abOrS. In 1884 Mr.. DOggett was ap.
pointed to Trinity Charge, in Richmond.
This year he was united in wedlock with
Miss Martha Ann Gwathmey, OF fLyncbburg,
with whom he lived till The day OF his death.
In 1885 be was sent again to Petersburg;
1S3G-'37 he was appointed 10 Norfolk city,
there being at that time but one Methodist
church in the city. AGAIN in 1888 he was
appointed TO Lyncbburg. In 1889 he was
appointed to Charlottesville, and acted as
Chaplain to the University OF Virginia while
lie performed his duties as pastor OF the Me-
thodist church in the town.
In 1910 he was appointed Chaplain 10
Randolph Macon College. In 1S41, aud on
ward till tue Conference session in 1916, he
was Professor OF Moral and Mental PhilosO-
ply in Randolph Macon College, when he
again fell back into the regular pastoral
work, and was sppoiDted once more TO the
Lynehburg station for the year 1847, and
then in 1913. In 1s49-'50 he was sent TO
the Wasbington-Street Charge, in Peters
burg, where for two years he preached with
unprecedented power and success. At the
Conference session in the fall Of 1850 he
WAS appointed editor of the Southern
Methodist Qxarteriy Reviem, posi-
tion he flied with marked ability.
In 165l-'52, he was pastor OF the Centenary
Charge in Richmond, performing pastoral
duty and editing the Quarterly at the same
time. The two years following-namely,
1865 '54-he was lin charge Of the Granby-
Street station in Norfolk, still combining
he'edItorial work with the pastorate. In
1856, he devoted himself exclusively TO the
Quar!1ig Reuiem The following years,
1856 and 1857, he was placed In charge OF
the Southern Methodist Church in WASH
fBgt0s city, District Of Columbia, where be
won for himself high reputation as great
preacher. He tb en- Surrendered the editor
ship OF the Hevie, ., aad was appointed pre-
siding elder Of Rchmand district for tue
four years following namely, 1853, 80, go,
and '8l--tili eonfere, zee october.
Falling back again int the pastorate he
was sppoiHted in ch urge OF Broad. Street
church in 1S62-'63. IN 1864, '65, '68, he
was IN charge OF Cente. nary church. Rich
noHd. At the General q, ,nfefeuce held In
he city of New Orleans Nag, 1866. DIR.
Doggett wss elected 10 the E2iscopacy OF
be Methodist Episcopal Ch urch South by
1a!tering vote OF the Coiisereaee; and
lere began a new epoch in his ministerial
ife~ He flied bis new position in q sfngu-
sriy acceptable manner I'LL called away BY
Ieath.
In July, 1865, DR.. Doggett associated him
- ~ - u1 ma 4>