The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-12-07
ALEXANDER W. WEDDELL.
DEATH YESTERDAY OF THE PAS.
TOR OF st. JOHNS EPIs.
COPAL CHURCH.
sketch Of His Life and Services-Ar.
rangemcnts for the Funeral, &c.

son Ncuuel, ~. D., rector OF II. JOnns
Episcopal church-a minister Of great use-
fulness and power, n citizen OF purest pa
triotism, man OF such genial spirit and
sweetness Of disposition that to know him
was to love him, and friends once made
were friends forever.
LIFE IN RICHMOND.
As Confederate soldier he spent con-
siderable portion OF time In and near this
city in the Signal-Service corps, and when
dn 1870 he was called to the pastorate
Of st. Johns he came back to a community
In which he bad many friends.
His ministerial labOrs here were blessed
with great success until about year and a
half ago, when he was attacked with what
seemed a bronchial affection. and was
never more able to actively resume the
work to which his heart and mind were
devoted.
FAILING HEALTH.
Last December or January he went TO
Florida, and there remained until April,
hoping that the balny air OF that latitude
would benefit him: and so il seemed TO do.
But the disease, a combination OF heart and
lung troubles. was too deeply rooted to be
eXtirpated. The past summer he spent at
the Red sulphur Springs, and only returned
to the city Fair week. Then came rapid
decline. For four weeks he was confined
TO his room, and for ten or twelve days OF
that time TO his bed. lie suffered severely
with pains in the side, until about a week
ago they in great degree left him, and he
began to experience much difficulty in
breathing.
DYING.
OF his approaching end DR.. Weddell had
been long conscious, and he awaited It
with perfect peace. He was six feet
two and half inches high, forty-twO
years old. and when in full health
weighed about 22j pounds, and looked the
perfection Of strength, and seemed formed
Tor long life and vigorous work but he
never murmured that the hand Of disease
was laid upon him, or questioned the
wisdom of his Heavenly Father in allow
ing him to be struck down in the midst OF
his busy life.
LAST WORDS.
His last expression except to ask for
small piece OF ice) was, A" Into Thy hands
| commit my spirit, o. God" Half an
hour afterwards death came, relieving hlm
! from all the grievOus wcariness OF a sick
/ bed. and, it cannot be doubted, ushering
him into a home OF perpetual Joy. Aflec-
tionate 10 all. he was one OF the most low
! ing OF husbands and fathers. and the only
cloud in his parting hour was the thought
OF leaving bis dear wife and five children.
| The whole community. and the people OF
! Church Hill especially. (he resided at $500
east Franklin street,) will 4nourn the
bright, genial. manly soul yesterday taken
from them.
sketch OF His Life.
Rev. Alexander w. WeddeD, ID. D., was
/ born at Tarboro'. y. c., in 1S4l. and was
the second son Of the late James Weddell,
who i'm ante-bellum times was one OF the
most prominent and successful dry-goods
merchants OF Petersburg. Mr.. Weddell
was a ScotChnan by birth. who came to
this country in early youth, and with small
means commenced business in Eastern
North Carolina. Genuine worth. with
persistent effort. secured success. He mar
| ricd Mis- Margaret Ward, Ci TarbOro'. y.
| c.. an excellent and cultivated lady and IN
| heiress. Mr.. Weddell was a Christian gen
tleman and an honest, reliable merchant,
who commanded the respect and esteem OF
all who knew him. In him the strong,
positive traits Of the Scotch character were
| fully eXemplified, and he was loved and
bonored by ali who were favored with his
confidence and friendship.
THE FAMILY.
Mr.. Weddell moved with his family to
Petersburg Wien his boys were very
young. There they grew up under the
best influences and amid the most favor
able surroundings, and all OF them gave
promise OF distinction and usefulness in
the future life. When the war broke out
the three young men. inspired by patri-
otic love OF their State and the Justice OF
the cause for which the South was going
to battle. entered the army. The eldest
son, John Weddell, was killed at Chancel-
lorsvile. The youngest, NTginiuS. on the
eve before the terrible battle Of Malvern
Hill. while engaged with his company in
supporting Confederate battery, was dis
labied bv a falling limb which had been
torn from a tree overhead by ore Of the
lenemy's shells. and died OF his injuries.
IN THE ARMY.
Young Alexander Weddell left Peters
burq i'm an Independent command, which
was subsequently assigned TO the Forty
first Virginia regiment rs Company c. He
proved himself a gallant soldier, and wa:
fortunate to escape accident during The
lperlous campaigns through which thai
command passed.
In the selection of profession DR.. Wed
dell was at first undecided as between The
ministry and the law. II was through The
advice OF friends that he chose the former
and his after life ard usefulness abundant
ly proved the wisdom OF the choice. H'
WAS educated at Hampden Sidney College
. hot attgf fttf lion haf 4
war. He then went to the University Of
Viroinia. and soon after entered the army
Afterthe war he was for time in the dry
: goods business in Petersburg.
MARRIED.
ON the 7tb OF February, 1866, he wa.
married bg the Rev. DR.. Gibson, OF Pc
tersburg. to Miss Penelope W. Wright
daughter OF Or. Wright, OF Norfolk
In 1865 he entered the Middle class at the
Theological seminary, at Alexandra, and
i'm 1870 was ordained TO the ministry by
Bishop Johns. His first pastoral charge
was in Harrisonbnrg.
EARLY MINISTRY.
DIR. Weddell was as earnest, active, anC
; Jealous layman as he was a minister. lie
was for many years member ana Vestry
man of Grace church, Petersburg, and hI
Iohors There were blessed with abundant
: fruit He was. in truth. the right-hand
man and the valued assistant OF the beloved
, rector OF that church, and TO his labor'
and incessant work may DC attributed
in large measure the building OF the edifcc
i'm which that congregation have worship
ped since the war.
DIR Weddell was the founder OF the Chris
finn work among the colored people in
Petersburp. in whose religious and mora
elevation be manifested deep and abiding
interest I'm the lall Of 1865, with thu
D.. Dator, Gibson. now of Parkers