Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 2.djvu/374

 PROMINENT PERSONS

321

Metcalf, Thomas, born in Fauquier coun- ty, Virginia, March 20, 1780, the son of poor parents who emigrated to Kentucky and set- tled in Fayette county. After a few months in a country school, he worked with a stone- cutter, devoting his leisure to study. He served in the war of 1812, and in 1813 com- manded a company at the battle of Fort Meigs. While absent on this campaign, he was elected to the legislature, and served three years; was afterward elected to con- gress as a Henry Clay Democrat, serving from December 6, 1819, till June i, 1828, when he resigned. From 1829 till 1833 ^^ was governor of Kentucky. He was a mem- ber of the state senate in 1834, and presi- dent of the board of internal improvement in 1840. He was appointed United States senator in place of John J. Crittenden, re- signed, serving from July 3, 1848, till March 3. 1849, when he retired to his farm between ^^aysville and Lexington. He was a friend and follower of Henry Clay, and often boasted of his early labors as a stonemason, delighting in being called the "Old Stone Hammer." He died in Nicholas county, Kentucky. August 18, 1855.

Nettleton« AshaeU born in North Killing- worth. Connecticut, April 21. 1783. After his graduation from Yale College in 1809 he studied theology, was licensed to preach in 181 1, and was ordained in 1817, choosing the evangelistic field, intending to become a missionary to foreign lands. From 18 12 to 1822 he was engaged in revival work in Connecticut. Massachusetts, and New York. His health failing in 1827. he came to Vir- ginia. Two years restored his health, and from 1829 until 183 1 he was preaching as a revivalist in New York and Connecticut. In 183 1 he went to Great Britain, return- viR— 21

ing in 1832. In that year he was appointed professor of pastoral duty in the seminary at East Windsor, Connecticut, and although he did not accept, he settled in East Wind- sor and lectured occasionally to the stu- dents. Hampden-Sidney College conferred the degree Doctor of Divinity upon him in 1839, as did Jefferson College, Pennsyl- vania. He compiled a collection of hymns under the title "Village Hymns." His **Re- mains and Sermons" were edited by Rev. iJennett Tyler, who also published a "Memoir" which was reprinted with addi- tions by Rev. Andrew A. Bonar and pub- liifhed in Edinburgh in 1854 under the title "Nettleton and His Labors." He died in East Windsor. Connecticut, May 16, 1844.

Lewis* William Berkeley* born in Lou- doun county, Virginia, in 1784, removed to Tennessee early in life and settled near Nashville. He was quartermaster under Gen. Andrew Jackson in the war of 18 12, iierving through the Creek campaign. After the election of Jackson to the presidency, Lewis accompanied him to Washington, aided him in the preparation of his in- augural address, and became a member of his family, also holding the office of auditor of the treasurj'. Lewis assisted in establish- ing the "Globe" in 1830, and prepared ac- counts of the difficulty between Jackson and Calhoun, for which, with Amos Kendall, he was partially responsible. After leaving Washington in 1845. he lived near Nash- ville, Tennessee, until shortly after the civil war, when he served one term in the legis- lature. He was a Republican, and after the occupation of Nashville by the Federal troops exerted a pacific influence there. He died near Nashville, Tennessee, November 14, 1866.

Digitized by

Google