Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-12-15
WIN. P. LA WT0N DEAD
POPULAR HUsTINGs COURT CLERK
PASSES AWAY SUDDENLY.
BRIEF SKETCH OF HIS CARE R.
Had Filled Several Responsible
Offices, and All of Them with
Credit-A Polished Gentleman and
Most Popular Citizen.

Mr.. william +. Lawton. the popular
clerk of the Hastings Court. died shortly
after / o'clock this morning at his resi-
dence, No. 70s west Grace street.
His Illness was OF short duration. and
the end came suddenly. Mr. Lawton had
been indisposed for some days, perhaps
a week or more. but his condition was
not such as to cause serious apprehension
until yesterday or the day before.
The announcement Of the death Of this
well-known official and highly esteemed
gentleman win be great shock to his
friends. both in Richmond and elsewhere
throughout the State. Some OF them
knew that his health was not good but
none Of them anticipated his early de-
mise
SKETCH OF HIS LIFE.
Few men in Richmond were so gene
rally known as Mr. Lawton. He had been
court-clerk or deputy almost continuously
from early manhood, and happily, made
friends Of all with whom the duties of his
Office brought him in contact
Mr.. Lawton was q years OF age. He
was born in the Isle OF Barbados West
indies, but when very young was brought
by his father TO Henrico county. where he
was reared. He was educated IN
the schools of Henrico and Richmond.
and at the age of Il began his career a.
Deputy Clerk Of the county. He filled
that office for many years. and discharged
its duties with fidelity and high credit.
At the breaking out of the war he was
detailed for work I'm the Second Auditors
Office, Treasury Department, Confederate
States army. He served the Confederacy
faithfully, and participated in the defence
Of Richmond on the occasion of Dahl
gren's raid. In 1861 Mr.. Lawton was
appointed Deputy Clerk under Robert
Howard and when the Chancery Court
was taken from the Hastings Court he
was made deputy under the late Andrew
Jinkins. Upon the death Of Mr.. Jinkins
in 1884. Mr. Lawton succeeded 10 the
clerkship of the Hastings Court and had
held the Office ever since. II Is almost a re-
markable fact. and one that tesyhes to the
"
ton never had opposition for the clerkshir
after he first became the incumbent OF
the Office.
FAMILY AND FUNERAL.
Mr.. Lawton in 1857 married Miss Ade-
laide A. Green. daughter Of the late Benja-
min w Green. Of Henrico county. who
died just fourteen months ago. He wa
perfectly devoted TO his wife, and
had never fully recovered from the severe
shock occasioned by her death. He leaves
one brother and an adopted daughter
Miss Kate Lawton. Mrs. Lawton was a
sister Of Mrs. Jack Taney. Of Bucna
Vista
Deceased belonged to several societies,
and was a prominent Mason. being a
member Of the Blue Lodge. Royal Arch
Chapter. and Of Richmond Commandery
No. 2. X. r. He was also a Shriner.
No arrangements have as yet Deen
made for the funeral. but II will probably
take place on Wednesday, and it is ex-
pected that a call will be issued to-day
for a meeting Of the city officials TO take
suitable action and attend the obsequies.
A DEVOTED VIRGINIAN.
While Mr.. Lawton was born in the
West Indies, where his father. a Nir-
ginian. was engaged i'm mission work, the
son. by laws as we'll as by natural i'm
pulses. felt himself to be a native OF the
old Dominion which was so dear 10 him
Personally, billy" Lawton, as all his
friends-and he had many-famiiiarly
called him. was an amiable man, fun oI
generous impulses, and did many deeds oil
charity of which the world knew nothing
He was of a kindly disposition. easily ap-
preached. accessible 10 everybody, and
afrable in manner 10 all. No worthy ap-
peal for help was ever made to him IN
vain. Mr.. Lawton was an accomplished
court clerk his long experience as deputy
in Henrlco and Richmond having tho-
roughly acquainted him with all the minu-
tjae of duty required of such an officer
As Clerk of the Hastings Court for over
a decade he was exact painstaking' ano
strictly correct, as well as courteous ano
agreeable under all circumstances.
There will be less of sympathy than oi
real sorrow at the passage. hence OF TINS
worthy and esteemed citizen and official.