The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-01-10
distinguished DESCENDANTS ii this coun

distinguished descendants IN this coun-,
try h
ii the ''Dabneys. OF Virginia. There is
quotation from "Duykintis Cyclopeda
OF American Literature which says
.Richard Dabney, born In 1857, son OF
Samuel Dabney and Jane Mcrwether. Of
Louisa comfy, was teacher In Rich
rnond, and barely escaped alive from the
burning Of the Richmond Theatre in 1871,
receiving serious injuries. Ho published
q IL mo. volume Of poems In 1872, and
vas said to have written a large part Of
'Cary's OLIVE Branch" Hc retired to
his birth place in Louisa county. where
he remained. devourlng such books and
pamphlets as he could find. and visiting
his neighbors Until his death, November
20. 1925, at the age Of thirty eight. being
unmarried His prevailing traits OF mind.
were memory and Imagination. his ex-
ceilcncc being only in literature. as for
mathematics and the sciences. he had no
texte whatever" .S54a #
We have before US, in the old Evangeli-
cal Magazine OF 1910 specimens OF Richard
IJnbneys volume OF poems mentioned
above, with a severe criticism, believed
to be written by Wire. who was his spe-
cIa1 friend and admirer. Els ''1ahodo-
daphne" certainly shows great talent
and mirth as a poet. and some PASSAGES
OF real classical beauty and pathos.
Speaking of his escape from the burning
Richmond Theatre In 1911, which the re-
cent horrible Chicago theatre fire brings
forcibly to mind; 1t can be stated that
the maternal grandmother OF Professor
r. H. Dabney, Of the University Of Viz
glnia, was also barely rescued from that
dreadful catastrophe OF 1911. There were
several Dabneys who settled IN Louisa
county during the eighteenth century,
whose descendants moved to Albemarlc
and married into the families OF Lewis.
Carr. Minor and Meriwether, from whom
were many brilliant minds gifted III thes
arts OF letters.
None could have been moro So. than Ro-
hort Lewis Dabney, born 1890, who be-
came most prominent as Presby-
tcrian minister; also as professor OF
philosophy, and author of distinct merit:
and who eventually became the gallant
chief of stonewall Jackson's staff His
Interesting and varied life has recently
been brought out by a Richmond publish
Ing house.
Dabney Carr, of Albemarle, was called
bysWilliam Witt, his friend OF frie nds.
Dabney Minor was also talented.
Mildred Dabney, daughter Of Samuel
Dabney Of "Dunlora,' married her first
cousin. Reuben Lewis, brother OF Merrl-
wehter Lewis. the explorer
He was made Indian agent to the
Mondoyas and Cherokecs. On his return
from the West. they were married. and
settled at Valley Point" near Ivy, Al
.bemarle. ~
William Dabney. Of King William
county. represented the parish Of St.
David. in the Episcopal convention held
Mt Richmond IN 1886; It is the only tine
his name appeared.
John Dabncy married Clara Winston
Miller, daughter OF William Miller, clerk
OF Goochland, 17Go.
There was also Augustine L. Dabney.
ofGIoucester county, 1897. supposed to be
brother Of above
Charles W. Dabney. born 1874, was ar.
pointed minister to Fall. 1926, and dur
ing the famlnes there, he furnished tn"
strickened inhabitants with food, assist
ed them to replant their fields, and show
ed them how to raise new and varied
crops. by which they eventually sustained
themselves. He died in the Azores, lsl
Nor must ne forget the present Charles
William Dabney president Of the Uni
versity OF Tennessee. now considered one
Of the most gifted educators, scientist
and authors Of tho day.
Indeed, there are few families. who, for
great literary talent indomitable work
In the cause OF humanity, and the ele-
walton Of the people during the past
century, can be pointed to with moro dis
tlnction than that of Dabney.