The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-04-30
fNor.oIk Landmark. aa,hl

For several weeks past the many friends
OF Hon. Hugh Blair Griesby In Norfolk and
| elsewhere have been In n state OF paipful
| suspense. caused by The serious Illness OF
| this venerable and distinguished yirginian
at bis residence, "Edsebill," Ia Charlotte
county.
Yesterday morning our towpsman Hon.
John h. Whitehead received telegram an.
| nouncipg the death ~ Mr.. Grigsby. which
occurred at A. NJ. after lingering m.
ness. Of pneumonia.
The sad news, although the event had
been anticipated, was received with deem
regret by all classes, and the feeling OF sor.
row at his loss and sympathy for the be-
reayed family was universal.
Hon. Hugh Blair Grigsby, historian. au-
thor, and poet. was born In this city on the
32d OF November, 1906. He was a son OF
Rev. Benz amin GIigsby, pastor Of the first
Presbyterian church ever crganlzed in Nor
folk, and for whom was erected the brick
church on the corner OF Bank and Char.
lotte streets, which Is stiIl standing, and now
known as the Bank-Slreet Colored Baptist
church.
The deceased received the benefit OF a
most liberal education. graduating with dis
tinguisbed honors from Yale College,
our towDsman Cincinnatus Newton, ESQ,
and the late Senator Allen Caperton. He
was educated for the bar, but did not prsc.
tice the profession, owing TO deafness, W bich
great affection came upon him soon after he
graduated. His first public service was rs
representative from tins city in the General
Assembly, TO which office he was elected
before he was twenty-one years old. but
attained his majority before taking his
seat. lie was afterwards elected as men,
Der OF The Convention OF 1S29'30. This
Convention was composed of The leading
men 10 the State, among them being Jcfler-
| son, Madison, Monroe, and many other dis
tingulshed spirits Of that day. The death
OF Mr.. GrigSby leaves only ore survivor Of
that Convention, Hon. Marx Alexander. Of
Neck lenburg county, who is nearly ninety
years OF age.
The deceased purchased. and very ably
edited for many years, the Norfolk Beacon.
which paper proved q great success, and
from which he realized large fortune.
In the year 1910 he married Miss Caring.
too, Of Charlotte county, daughter Of Col.
onel Paul Darlington, OF Revolutionary
fame. After his marriage lie retired from
public life and devoted himself entirely to
literary pursuits. At the time OF hts death
he owned one OF the finest private libraries
in the State OF Virginia, and his gallery OF
paintings and statuary is not tqullled by
any in the State.
In January, 1862. just previous to the
evacuation OF Norfolk by the Confederates,
he removed TO bis valuable residence, known
ss - Edgehill," in Charlotte county, where
be has since resided.
He was the acknO wledged historian Of
Virginia, being thoroughly conversaut with
the history OF The State from it, settlement.
and with the history OF nearly every native
family in the State. He was president of
he Virginia Historical Society, and mem
Der OF the Historical Societies OF Massa-
chusetts and Pennsylvania. He was The
author Of several valuable works, and also
won an envdble reputation as a poet, a
number OF his productions having been
very highly compimented by some OF the
leading scholars in the country.
The warmest friendship existed between
Mr.. Grigsoy aud George G. Bancroft, the
distinguished historian, and Hon. Robert A.
Winthrop, president of the Massachusetts
Historical Society.
The following touching incident was re-
lated to us yesterday On the Saturday pro-
eeding Easter Sunday large box was re-
ceived at Edgebil from Hon. Mr.. Win
thr0p, who had not been apprised of his
friends illness. TIE box was not opened
until the following morning, when it was
thought that the sacred but joyous day
which commentaries the resurrection OF
the Saviour of the world would also mark
the departure OF this great and good man.
On removing the cover there was revealed
profusion OF rare and beautiful flowers,
artisticaly arranged, and intended as an
gifts, forwarded a. a tribute 10 the Joyous
season, and representing the strength and
purity OF the friendship existing between
these coDgeniaI spirits, have been pre-
served, and will decorate the casket en-
clOsisg the honOred remains.
Hon. John b. Whitehead, hali-brother
OF Mr.. Grig.by, visited him a few days
ago, and during a conversation which took
place Just before parting the sufferer eX-
pressed great confidence that he would
recover, but at the same time said that he
was fully prepared to die; that be had made
his peace with God when in the full pos
session OF health aud strength and that he
felt no hostility TO death. The deceased
was converted In early life, and up to the
day of his death was a member OF the Pres
byterian Church.
Mr.. Grigsby leaves a wife and two chill
dren-a son and daughter, both grown
to whom and to his many sOrrowing rela-
tiyes and friends we tender our sincere
coincidence.
Mr.. Whitehead will leave for Edge
hllv this morning, and eXpec's to return
with the remains Saturday night, Mr..
dying wish being that he be
buried in Norfolk. Due notice OF the fune-
raj will be given.