Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 2.djvu/299

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VIRGINIA BIOGRAPHY

Hill, Xinety-six, and Eutaw Springs, where he was mortally wounded while leading the charge that drove the Dritish from the field. Some hours later, hearing that the enemy were in full retreat, he died, exclaiming, **I die contented." Many writers have con- founded him with Gen. William Campbell, one of the leaders at King's Mountain. See Drapers "King's Mountain and its Heroes." Richard Campbell died at Eutaw Springs, South Carolina, September 8, 1781.

Thomson, John, son of John Thomson, a merchant of Petersburg, Virginia, was born in 1777 and studied at William and Mary College. He practiced law and his speeches and letters to the newspapers over the sig- nature of Casca Gracchus and Curtius. at- tacking the policy of the Federalist party, in an.<wer to John Marshall, were much ap- plauded. He died in 175^9. when not more than twenty-two. A sketch of his life was written by his friend, George Hay, the law- yer, who is unbounded in praise of his elo- quence and talents.

Cummings, Charles, a native of Ireland, came to Lancaster county, Virginia, where he taught school and studied for the minis- try under Rev. James Waddell. He was licensed to preach by Hanover Presbytery in 1766, and was pastor of Brown's meeting house the next year. In 1773 he was min- if ter to the congregations on the Holston. and settled at Abingdon. The country was infested by Indians, and he carried his rifle into his pulpit ; on one occasion he was en- gaged in a deadly conflict. In 1776 he ac- companied Col. Christian's troops in an ex- pedition against the Cherokees, and was the first preacher in Tennessee. He died in 1812.

Blackburn, Samuel, was born in Virginia, probably in Augusta county, about 1758. His parents removed to the Holston region, and he was educated at Washington College and in 1785, after he had left college, it con- ferred upon him the Bachelor of Arts de- gree. He was a soldier in the revolution and was in the battle of Guilford Court House. After the war he was principal teacher in an academy at Washington, Georgia, and while thus engaged studied law. In 1795 he was a member of the Georgia legislature, and was several times a candi- date for congress, but never elected. He removed to Bath county, Virginia, and was several times a member of the legislature, and was author of the anti-dueling law — said to be the first law of the kind ever en- acted in the United States. He was one of the most brilliant orators and successful criminal lawyers of his time. By will, he liberated his slaves, some forty in number, on condition that they would go to Liberia, whither they were taken at the expense of his estate. He was a general in the state militia. He married the oldest daughter of Governor Mathews.

Butler, William, was born in Prince Wil- liam county, Virginia, in 1759, a son of James Butler, who was captured and mur- dered by the notorious Cunningham. Mr. Butler was a student at South Carolina Col- lege, from which he was graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. In 1779 he became a lieutenant in Lincoln's army, was active at Stono, and sensed in the noted corps of Pulaski. He next served in the command of Gen. Pickens, then with Gen. Lee under Greene, being an active partici- pant in the siege of Xinety-Six, and was de-

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