Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 2.djvu/248

 PROMINENT PERSONS

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he was the author of a ^Treatise on Expa- triation" (1814); a "Treatise against the Usury Laws," and the **Life of John Thomp- son." He died in Richmond, Virginia. Sep-* tcmber 21, 1830. He was a son of Anthony Hay. keeper of the Raleigh tavern in Wil- hamsburg.

Johnson, Chapman, was born in Louisa county, Virginia, March 12, 1779. His col- legiate education was received at the Col- lege of William and Mary, where he gradu- ated in 1802. Under 'St. George Tucker he followed law study until admitted to the Virginia bar, and then established a practice in Staunton, V^irginia, where he soon be- came well known for his legal ability, and for striking eloquence as an orator. His practice was after 1824 conducted in Rich- mond, and there became one of the most extensive in the state. Mr. Johnson enlisted in the war of 1812, as captain of a volunteer company, becoming later an aide on the staff of General James Breckinridge. He was a member of the Virginia senate from 1815 to 1831, and a member of the Virginia convention of 1829. He was one of the board of visitors of the University of Vir- ginia from 1819 to 1845. He died in Rich- mond. July 12, 1849. He was a son of Thomas Johnson, of Louisa county, and Jane Chapman, his wife.

Bibb, William Wyatt, born in Virginia, October i, 1780, died near Fort Jackson, Alabama, July 9, 1820. He was the son of Captain William Bibb, was graduated at William and Mary College, and studied medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, receiving the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1801. Removing to Georgia, he was a member successively of the two branches

of the legislature. He was a member of congress from 1S07 till 1813, when he was chosen to the United States senate, and re- tained his seat there until 1816. He re- moved to Alabama, then a territory, and was governor in 1817-19, when it was ad- mitted as a state, and he was elected as its first executive. He died while in office, and his son, Thomas Bibb, succeeded him as governor, 1820-21.

Armistead, George, born at "Newmarket," Caroline county, \'irginia, April 10, 1780, son of John Armistead and Lucy Baylor, his wife, died in Baltimore, April 25, 1818. Five brothers took part in the war of 1812 — three in the regular army, and two in the militia. George was appointed second lieutenant Jan- uary 8, 1779, promoted first lieutenant in .April, captain November 6, 1806, and major of the Third Artillery, March 3, 1813. He distinguished himself at the capture of Fort George from the British, near the mouth of Niagara River in Canada, May 2^, 181 3, and was brevetted lieutenant-colonel for his suc- cessful defence of Fort McHenry, near Bal- timore, against the British fleet, under Ad- miral Cochrane, September 14, 1814. His steadfast bravery on this occasion no doubt saved Baltimore from capture, and the citi- zens presented him with a handsome service O' silver, the centre-piece being in the form of a bomb shell.

Cocke, John Hartwell, who for a third of a century was a member of the board of visitors of the University of Virginia, was born in Surry county, Virginia, September 19, 1780, son of John Hartwell Cocke and Elizabeth Kennon. his wife; he attended William and Mary College, graduated with the class of 1798; joined the .American forces

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