Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-05-14
MAJOR ROBERT ALFRED WILLIAMS.
The Remains to Reach Here To-Day
sketch Of Ills Career.


III. x.r,o;n. Of Major Robert Alfred
Williams. commercial and hnanciai eaitoI
NJ tho Baltimore american, whose death
was renorted in Yesterdays DISPATCH, Will
reach Richmond on the $3.50 train on the
Richmond. Fredericksburg and Potomac
road this afternoon and the funeral Will
be from 81. James church at O'CLOCK.
Maior Williams was born IN TINS city
August IL, 1922. and was OF Scotch-irish
descent. HIS father, who came TO this
country from England as secretary 20 tho
commission appointed 10 settie ,ns uine'
ences between this country ana England
growing out of the Dartmouth-prisonc case,
remained here, ,and began mercantile
career in Richmond with his uncle. Will
liam BelI. then ono of the leading mer-
chants of the city. and soon married
Miss Dandridge, cousin of the Mrs. Custis
who married George Washington. Inc
elder Williams took most active interest
in church work and was the FOUNDER OF 81;
James Episcopal church. hoUert Aiired
Williams was given the advantage OF an
excellent education and then started out
in q mercantile career tor himself. lie
was successvely q member OF the firm OF
Williams. Clalbor 4 Co., and Williams,
Uaxall N Co. On Nav "A. 1874. he married
Miss Elizabeth Marshall Colston. a great
prandniece OF Chief-JustIce Marshall and
a daughter of Colonel Edward Colston,
member of Congress, who resided IN Berke,
lev county, Va. Major Williams resided
in Richmond until 1858, when he removed
to Kentucky.
HIS WAR RECORD.
In 1861. upon the outbreak OF tho civil
war. he returned to Virginia and enlisted
as a volunteer in the Confederate army.
He was soon appointed to staff position
under General Humphrey Marshall, with
whom he served for some time, and was
then transferred TO the staff OF General
Bragg. Later. because or his business
training. he was commissioned TO collect
supplies for the Confederate army and
gwen charge Of the territory OF Southwest
Virginia and Tennessee. In 1864 he was
captured by q detachment from General
Canbys command of Federal troops after
q desperate hand-to-haDd struggle. IN
which Major Williams received SIX wounds.
REMOVAL TO BALTIMORE.
Major Williams went 10 Baltimore in 1868
aud accented q position as telegraph editor
on the old CARTE. In 1876 he became attach
ed 10 the staff of the american as court re-
porter, but was soon thereafter made COM
merclsl and financial editor, in which
capaclty be served until the time of his
deatn. He was q man of remarkable
memory. clear and vigorous thinker, and
a most affable and courteous gentlemen.
His mind was well stored with reminls-
censes and anecdotes OF leading charac-
tiers. political, literary, and theatrical, and
he was rarely gifted as a conversationallst.
Major Williams was. like oil Of his fathers
family, an ardent Episcopalian, aud during
his early life IN Richmond was o most en-
thusastlc Mason.
The deceased leaves q wife and two chill
dren-Mrs. william G. Page, of Baltimore.
and Mr.. n. b. Williams. OF South Caro-
lima: also two brothers-Mr. John l.: Will
liams and tho Rev. w. b. Williams, OF this
city. The latter went to Baltimore yester-
day and will accompany the remains to
this city.
TIE pALL-BEAREBs.
The funeral, as stated above. Will take
place from ST. James church OF 3 o'clock
this afternoon. The following Will be the
pall-bearers:
Active Messr,. John s. Williams. Il.
Lancaster Williams, Langbourne NJ. Will
hams, George A. Gibson, Walter A. VIII
liams. William X. Williams, Willoughby
Newton. and John g. SHELTON.
Honorary-Mr. Raleigh Colston. DR.. Will
liam Z. Palmer, Messrs. Robert K. Williams.
John W. Cringan, Samuel {. Greenhow.
and Hugh Blair: and from Dove Lodge,
T.. 2. Reeve, Aug. Arsell, DR., l.. L. Mason,
and Catlett Conway.
There will DO no Masonic services. and
the lodge will only be represented by its
honorary pail bearers