Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 2.djvu/407

 354

VIRGINIA BIOGRAPHY

Cotsw'old breed of sheep. He published in a local newspaper a lengthy series of sketches relating to the early history and traditions of Orange county. He died in 1866.

Deane, Simeon, born at Wethersfield. Connecticut. In 1776 he accompanied his brother. Silas Deane. to the French court. In 1778 he returned with the treaty of alli- ance between France and the United States, coming over in the French frigate Sensible, of thirty-six guns, which was sent by the French King for that express purpose, and arriving at Falmouth (now Portland), Maine, April 13, 1778. He arrived at York- town, Virginia. May 2. He afterwards set- tled in Williamsburg, where he joined the Masonic lodge, in 1782. He died in June. 1788, and was buried in Bruton churchyard, Williamsburg. Rev. Dr. James Madison, president of William and Mary College, de- livered the funeral sermon.

Banks, William Bruce, born October 2, I/76, at '*Green Bank," on the Rappahan- liock river, near Banks* Ford, son of Gerard Banks, of Stafford county, Virginia, and Fanny Bruce, his wife. He was educated at William and Mary College, and graduated hi 1796. The alumni catalogue, issued be- fore the war, erroneously mentions him as having- been judge of the superior court. He was admitted to the bar, and located in Lynchburg, and after several years resi- dence there, removed to Halifax county, where he practiced successfully, and was for many years commonwealth's attorney in the superior courts of Halifax, Charlotte, Mecklenburg, Franklin. Patrick. Henry and Pittsylvania. He died August 4, 1852.

Beckwith, Sir Jennings, baronet, son of Jonathan and grandson of Sir Marmaduke Heckwith (q. v.). was born in Richmond county, Virginia, the "Leather Stocking" of the Northern Xeck. Much of his life was spent in the far west, on hunting excursions with the Indians, and in later years he would live with men who would fish with him in summer and fox hunt in winter. Dur- ii:g his last twelve months, he had slept on the Rappahannock river shore in the sturgeon season. He had insuperable objections to spending time profitably ; consequently, he lived poor, but was highly respected. He d:ed at the age of seventy-two. November I3» 1835.

Marshall, Edward Carrington, son of Chief Justice John Marshall, was born at Richmond, Virginia. January 13, 1805. He graduated at Harvard College in 1826 and settled at Carrington, Fauquier county, Vir- ginia, and engaged in agriculture. He rep- resented Fauquier county in the Virginia legislature for four successive terms, from 1834 to 1838. He was the main instrument in the establishment of the Manassas Gap Railroad Company and was its president. Though he strongly sympathized with the South in the war in 1861-65, he was too old to give it his personal aid and held a place in the pension office in Washington during the war. He was fond of the classics and of science. He died at Innis, Fauquier county, Virginia, February 8, 1882. He married. February 12. 1829, Rebecca Court- ney Peyton.

Selden, William, son of John Selden, and grandson of Samuel Selden, the immigrant, was educated at William and Mary College,

Digitized by

Google