Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-10-03

crnor Nicholson. and they could not
have chosen a better board of gov.
ernors
The members OF the council and OF
the House OF Burrcsscs. were owners
OF large plantations. with negro slaves.
and indonturcd white servants al tn cir
command. Some owned the vessels
which traded between their own land
ings and the mother country. They had
commodious and imposing mansions,
seats of princely hospitality. sur
rounded by gardens, lawns and spacious
groves. and as they looked out upon
the extensive quarters OF their lands,
and the stables for their bloodcd
stock. and the vast iields OF tasscllcd
corn and green tobacco plants bound
cd by dense forests or majestic streams
and bays, they could we'll feel that
they were monarchs of all they sur
vey."
They wero perfect athletes from con-
slant outdoor exercise. Splendid horse
men, they kept the best imported stock
tsomc famous in colonial raccs), and
were constantly in the saddle, over
looking their estates. visiting neigh
bors. attending courts or other public
business. or INDUCING in the chase
1t is sometimes wondered that these
colonial gentlemen were comparatively
shortlivcd, seldom living more than
two score years and ten. but this was
doubtless on account of constant cx-
posure to sun and rain, and a want Of
medical science to control til. colds
and fevers that led to other compIi-
cations The world has doubtless be-
come better as the centuries have
rolled By under the spread of Chris
tianity. but individual character was
as grand and massive then as il is
now Those sterling men who laid the
foundation OF our institutions have no
superiors in these times. They were
as fearless intellectually as physically:
far from the Establishments and syco-
phancy OF European courts. and from
tho distractions and infiueHces of
porulous communities. they thought out
IN" serious problems of life for them
selves. having in their well selected
nb!i.ries the experience and wisdom
of tho past TO consult. Their cyposure
TO the attacks Of wild animals and
the treacherous savage had made them
bold and daring. They were cod ra1r-
ing men and generously supported
their church and were given to charity
Governor Spotswool said Of the Vir-
Einians that ne had observed less
swearing. less profanencsS and Dc
hauchcry, less uncharitable ieuds and
antmosi,ies and less knavory and viii
lany than In any part OF the world
where my lot has been"
They were all lovers OF liberty and
pequeatncd II as 4 precious Legacy
along with their slaves. to their de-
Scehdants. The great Edmund Burke
in his celebrated speech on Concilia-
ton with America. attributed the in
tcnse love Of liberty. characteristic Of
the people OF the Southern colonies to
the presence OF slaves" Where there
Is slavery, those who are free are by
Tar the most proud and jealous of
their freedom. Freedom is to them not
only an enjoyment but a rank and
privilege"
John Lear came to virginia about
600, first to Westmorland County. but
soon, however he settled in Nanse-
mond county, which he Represented in
( the House Of Burgesscs from 1865 to
1916
During Bacon's Rebellion ne was a
s'anch supporter of Governor Berke-
ley, and remained with him until tho
insurrecti"n was suppressed.
In 1916 the people OF Nansemond
complained that he held too many Of
noes, but 1t had 10 effect on the au-
thoritics as he had discharged all
the duties we'll, and in 1850 he was
made presiding justice and Colonel of
Militia. and in 1862 was appointed
member OF the Council. He continued
a member Of this body until his death
in 1895.
Colonel John Lear was married four
times ana the last three wives were
widows The short duration Of life
and the frequency OF marriage in those
Colonial days are a striking feature