Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-08-15
JUDGE JOHN w. GILLET DEAD.
One OF the Most Notable Men of the
Eastern shore.


ONANCOCK, VA, August 14.-(special)
Hon. John W. Gillet late Judge Of the
County Court of Accomac, and one OF the
most notable men that the Eastern Shore
has produced, died at his home at Acco-
mac Courthouse early this morning, in
the 7sd year of his age He had been suf-
fering from acute infiammatory rheuma-
tism and disease Of the bladder for some
months past. About three weeks ago his
physicians performed an operation upon
him. which gave temporary relief, but he
soon began TO grow worse, and his bad
symptoms increased until the end came.
At the age of II he entered the Clerk 5
Office of Accomac as deputy ~ the late
Hon. Thomas X. Joynes, then Clerk Of
the two Eastern Shore counties. He held
this position till 1850. when he was by the
old County Court made It's Clerk, ana by
appointment and election held that ofilce
until 1861, when he was removed by the
Federal general Lockwood. At the end
of the war he commenced the practice or
law with Hon. Benjamin T. Gunter, and
continued in this profession till the people
OF his county reelected him TO his old
position. which they did as soon as they
got the opportunity to do so. In 1869,
being again removed from the county
clerkship by the military Governor of
Virginia, he resumed the practice of the
law with his former partner and life
lOUk IlltIls JUlEE hutIl tit ldl-
ter was elevated TO the bench Of the Cir
cult Court Judge Gillet associated with
himself in the practice OF law his nephew.
John w. Blackstone, and his old partner s
eldest son, Aldred Il. Gunter.
BECAME JUDGE.
After q few years ne retired from active
practice but on the death of Judge Gar
rison he was induced by the urgent soli-
citation of the leading people of this
10 h.. Of ~
Judge, TO which he was elected by the
General Assembly. For nearly seven years
he discharged the duties OF the Office with
such ability and efficiency as to Din the
encomiums Of the people Of the county
and press OF the State. His character,
training, legal ability, and intimate ac-
quaintance with the people of the county
made him an ideal judge. He was a veri-
table terror to evil-doers. but he COM
manded the respect and confidence Of all
good men. Judge Gillet held the Judge
ship until extreme illness compelled him.
about two weeks ago. TO send his resig-
nation TO Governor OFerrall. who APP
pointed Hon. John w. G. Blackstone,
Judge Gillet's nephew, to succeed him.
A VERY MODEST MAN.
Judge Gllet was a very modest man,
and shrank from notoriety. In 1850 he was
elected a delegate from Virginia TO the
National Democratic Convention. but his
natural aversion to great public gather
ings and to holding conspicuous positions
prevented him from attending He was
deeply versed I'm the history and tradi-
tions OF the Eastern Shore Of Virginia,
knowing far more of them than any
other man, and IL Is TO be regretted that
he failed to comply with the urgent re-
quests made by his friends that he write
its history. When a few years ago the
question arose as 10 the rights OF fishery
claimed by Maryland in Virginia waters,
Judge Gilet wrote and published i'm the
Peninsular Enterprise certain articles
which were made the basis Of the argu-
ments Of the Attorney-General OF Nir-
ginia and the lawyers associated with
him I'm the case before the United States
Circuit and Supreme Courts, and the in
formation contained I'm these articles
formed the basis Of the decisions rell-
dered by these tribunals in favor OF Vir-
ginia Ii Is, therefore, at least possible
that but for these articles of Judge Gillet
Virginia's oyster and fishing rights IN
Tangier and PocOmoke sounds would have
been seriously jeopardlzed. If not entirely
lost. Though Judge Gillet was but little
known beyond the borders Of the Eastern
Shore counties, those who knew him best
regarded him as one OF the ablest and
most remarkable men that Accomac has
produced. He was a first cousin of the
late Governor Henry A. Wise. end by
many capable judges he is thought to
have been intellectually the equal of that
ilustrious Virginian.
Judge Gillet was never married, and
had accumulated an ample fortune. His
funeral will take place Sunday morning.