Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-02-02
s. Rh0ads.
On Broad Street, Near Fifth.


NCndtltrtou news ana 0oufleTl
We are indebted TO the Hon James
Sprunt, OF Wilmington. n. c., for am
other interesting contribution In regara
to the early life OF Judah u. BENJAMIN
He Is confirmed IN his opinion that mr.
Benjamin lived in Fayetteville. y. a.
and attended the "Fayetteville Acade.
my" whore ne attained distinction In ms
studies, and was prepared for college. Ills
conviction is based upon the competent
testimony OF the venerable II. &. Belden.
Esq, OF this State" North CarOlinal
who was an intimate friend and school.
mate Of young Benjamin." We publish
both Mr.. Sprunts letter and Mr. Beldens
statement to-day.
In the absence Of other testimony We
would say that Mr.. Sprunt had made OUT
his case, the most that we can cOnCede
however. In view OF abundant TESTIMONY
upon the subject. is that Mr.. BENJAMIN
may have been a pupil AT the FayettevlIe
Academy for perhaps year. Indeed thi.
Is all that Mr. Belden claims II Is admit.
ted generally that the Benjamins came
10 the United States when Judah was
only or 5 years OF age. and Mr.. Ezekiel
says that the time OF their immigration
was 1915. Mr.. Bslden says that Judah ana
his brother Solomon. and his sister. Han.
nah came TO Fayetteville in 1875 lived
with their uncle and aunt, and became
pupils i'm tho Fayetteville Academy" ana
that Judah was n classmate OF mine du-
Liis MS stay III fayttle|llie. continuing
Mr.. Belden says: mir. Levy" Judahs
uncle) 'desirins to enlarge his business.
removed with his sister" (Mrs Wrightj
and the Benjamins to New Orleans IN
1926"
If they prove anything. these state
ments prove that Judah could not have
been in Fayetteville much more than one
year; II. indeed, he were ever there an an
except with the Confederate Cabinet ON
its flight from Richmond az the close OF
the war in 1865. If he arrived I'm Fayette-
Vile on January /. 1875. and departed
thence on December 81. 1895. he could not
have been in Fayetteville more than
two years. IL is admitted by Mr. Belden
that the Beniamins came 10 Charleston
from the West Indies, and the time OF
their arrival here. as nearly as can be-
reckoned, was in the year 1915. He did
not go TO Fayetteville II at all. until lSS.
and must have beer Is years old that
year. and must have lived In Charleston
for at least ten years before he became
Mr. Belden's classmate. unless it shan
transpire that Mr.. Belden really attend
ed school with judah at the old brick
Charleston.
There is no doubt that Mr.. Benjamin
lived i'm Charleston, and went to schcoi
in this city. He told Mr.. Levin that sucn
was the case. Mr.. Il. c. Hard. Of VIII
liamston s. c.. who Is still living SAYS
was very bright pupil. and quoted
while playing marbles: that
his teacher was Robert Southw0rth.
Among his classmates. or schoo-feliows.
were n. Russell Middleton. T. Leger
w. J. Hard, Mitchell King,
- Wilson, r. c. Hard Stephen Thomas.
and others-all for many years Residents
of this city. The Hebrew Orphan Society
paid for his schooling. The store IN
which his father did business was situ-
ited in King street, near Clifford street
lnd his aunt, Mrs. Wright. as we were
old yesterday upon good authority. also
lid business in this city. Probably when
she moved TO Fayetteville, I'm 1875, she
ook her nephew and niece with her.
IL further evidence were needed 70
rove that the Beniamins lived IN
charleston II can be found I'm the records
# the United States Court in Charles
on, which show that the elder Benjamin
btained his naturalization papers here
after the war. when Judah wished 70
inter- the English Bar. IL was necessary
or him 10 prove that he was born n
British subject. and the proof OF his
ather's application for American ciu-
enship was found on hle In the United
tates Court at Charleston.
Mr.. Benjamin was q great man. and
hould claim the honor OF his residence.
We hope that the Hon. Francis Lawley'
( London. will not omit Charleston
rom his story OF the Life OF Judah p.
benjamin." Bur for the care which was
lken OF his friend and confidant In THIS
Id town, probably the world would never
ave known him-the world. rs we an
now. is full Of mute, inglorious Nil
ms"