Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-07-17
MIR. JAMESPLEASANTS
THIS DISTINGUISHED BARRIsTER
PASSES AWAY AT MOUNTAIN tor.
Has BEEN ILL 4 LONG TINE.
sketch of His Career-His Position
mt the Bar-A Man OF the Highest
Attafume nts-FuncraI to Take
Place This Afternoon.

Mr.. James Peasants. one OF the most
distinguished members of the Richmond
bar, is dead.
lie passed away at the Mountain Top
Hotel yesterday at noon, and a short
time thereafter a telegram conveyed the
sad intelligence TO his many friends in
this city. The news, however, did not
come in the nature OF a shock. For
some weeks Mr.. Peasants had been
lowering between life and death, and
his friends were prepared for the worst
Deceased had beer in falling health for
more than year. and had not been able
to attend 10 his practice during that time
He sought relief at various places Of re-
sort. Last winter he spent a few months
at Clifton Springs, y. y, but was lit
tie benefited thereby. and returned TO
his home in this city. He remained
here but a short time, and went to Noun
tain Top, where he remained until the
end.
HIS CAREER.
Mr.. Peasants was born in May, 1891.
and was. therefore, I'm the 6Sth year Of his
age. He was the son OF John Hamp-
den Peasants, the founder OF the Rich
mond Whig than whom Virginia has
produced no more heightened and bril-
liant man, and grandson OF Governor
James Peasants, Of the old regime. His
uncle, Hugh Peasants, was founder of
the Richmond Dispatch, and among the
brightest writers of the day.
Mr.. James Peasants was educated un-
der the best teachers Of his time-Mr.
la Ilr n
mel Crozet-and went from the Rich
mond Academy to the University OF
Virginia. There, in the sessions extend
ing from 1S4S to 1851, he enjoyed the infiu-
ence and instruction Of those splendid
men-Professors Cabell, COurtenay, Har-
rison, Rogers, Davis, McGuffey, and
their like having for his fellow stu
dents young men. who have in the world
done honor To their instructors, such as
II. G. II. Keen, OF Lynchburg; w. W.
Henry, Professors f. III. Smith, w. r..
Peters, Mr. Holiday, and other good fell
lows. whose bright and honorable youth
gave promise of their after excellence.
A THOROUGH STUDENT.
At the University he was noted for
faithful study and laborious work. and
in 1851 took the degree of Master of
Arts. On returning 10 Richmond ne stu
died law in the Office of Robert c. stan
ard and was the private tutor of his
son. the late Mr.. Hugh Stanard. After
a. satisfactory preparation he entered
rpon the practice of the law, and WAS
for many years commissioner III
chancery.
on the breaking out Of the war ne at
once joined The Hampden Artillery COM
many. named in honor Of his father, ana
Mt
devoted patriot and an enthusiastic and
fearless soldier Later in the war he was
advanced to the Ordnance Department,
with the title Of captain.
HIS MARRIAGE.
On the return of peace he resumed
the practice OF his profession, ana III
1861 married his cousin, Miss Carolihe
I. Massie. daughter OF the late MI
Henry Massie of Albemarle.
All through life Mr. Pleasants had Deeh
noted for hereditary chivalrT, sterllng'
manly Qualities. for absolute honesty,
ideIitv. strong sense, fearlessness, gene
.oeitv and intellectually, and, withal.
was marked by childlike simplicity OF
,haracter. sincere modesty, and amia-
,uitv that commended him TO every !
me. ,x-rr,
A DISTINGUISHED LAWYER.
In the practice of his profession he was
for his high sense OF honor
and of professional duty. He was con-
scientious. laborious, and painstaking ana |
thorough. Because OF his excellent quail
ecation and essential worth, he was re-
neatedly importuned to offer himself Tor |
the Mace of Chancery Judge of the CITY, |
hut his modesty made him persistently |
decline TO do 30.
He was more than mere lawyer, deal
ing in presidents and technlcdi lediHlhs,
He was a ripe scholar, and his command
NJ English was unsurpassed. His easy
fluent style combined with concisehess
Of statement made his chancery plead
ngs models of legal excellence souhu
IN all branches Of the law, his tastes anu
peculiar fitness drew him TO the equity
courts. and he became a master of this
mnortant branch of the profession. He
,nioyed a large practice, and his clientele
was numerous. embracing the leading
businessmen of the city. He was con-
sentative in his judgments, and his adj
vice was often sought both in and out
Of the profession.
NOTED ASSOCIATES.
He came TO the bar when the Richmond
Bar was noted far and wide for the dis
ability of its membership.
Conway Robinson. Samuel Taylor, John
NJ. Patton, John .. Steger, Judges Mere
lith and Crump, James Lyons, and VII
lam II. Mcfarland were regular pracu-
toner's then, and their fame still lives.
Deceased was modest and retiring, never
cushing himself, but won his way by rea-
ON of his ability and honesty of purpose.
lie was charming companion and de-
ishtful talker, and was never more de-
lighted than when he was relating some
Lmusing incident connected with the per-
onnel of the bar
His care in the preparation or egal
,apers and pleadings were proverbial, ana
10 more accurate pleader ever adorned
he profession. He was particularly KIND
o Young men. and was never too busy TO
live them timely assistance when IN
oubt or perplexity over knotty problems
4 pleading or practice. What gave him
lis greatest strength as pleader and
practitioner was his great desire and IA
ility for learning and presenting the
acts of a case. He was rarely found
,rong in his statements, and was always
eady TO appeal TO the records and 10
bde the results.
us FAIRNESS A CHARACTERISTIC.
Another prominent characteristic was
is fairness. He rarely, If ever, INDUCED
\ personalities or in frivolities. He i'm
went to the very core and
cart OF a case, and If 1t was not founded
n Justice and reason he made his client
ettle without further cost or delay.
His death is a source of profound sor-
ow 10 the bench and bar OF the city. AT
he memorial meetings OF the bar. as long
5 his health permitted, he was always
resent, and his eulogies Of the deserving ,
nd able lawyers who preceded him TO
ne Judgment seat of God are green and