Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 2.djvu/408

 PROMINENT PERSONS

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entering in 1753. He practiced law for a few years, then studied theology, and was ordained into the ministry, in London, March 10, 1771. He was rector of Hamp- ton church from 1771 until his death, June 25» 1783. He married. May 29, 1767, Mary Ann Hancock, of Princess county, Virginia. He was father of William B. Selden (q. v.).

Selden, Miles, born in 1726, son of Joseph Selden, and Mary Gary, his wife, daugh- ter of Miles and Mary (Wilson) Gary, of "Ceeleys." He was ordained in the Church of England, in London, and in 1752 was elected rector of Henrico parish, Virginia. He was the last colonial rector of old St. John's Church in Richmond, and in his con- gregation were many of the notable men of that period. He was clerk of Warwick, and a member of the committee of safety, 1774- 76. He was chosen chaplain of the Virginia convention at its assembling in 1775, and was popularly known as "the Patriot Par- son." He married Rebecca, daughter of Miles Gary and Hannah Armistead, his wife.

Stuartt William, born at St. Paul's parish, King George county, Virginia, about 1723- 24, son of Rev. David Stuart. He was edu- cated in England, studied theology in Lon- don, and was there ordained to the Episco- pal pries^jyood by Bishop Edmonds in 1745. On his return to Virginia he became assist- ant to his father, whom he eventually suc- ceeded in the rectorship of St. Paul's parish. He was a man of noble character, and noted for his eloquence. .As "Parson Stuart," he was greatly beloved by his parishioners, and was widely known as one of the ablest divines of the colonial church. He married, in 1750, Sarah Foote. heiress to the fine old

"Cedar Grove" estate, on the Potomac river, in King George county. He died in 1796.

Selden, Miles, son of Rev. Miles Selden, He was educated at William and Mary Col- lege, and entered the old general court office, which was the school in which the county court clerks were generally trained. He became clerk of Henrico county, and held the office several years. He represented the county in the general assembly for many years, and was also magistrate for a long term. In 1785 he was a member of the council. He married, March 27, 1774, Eliz- abeth, daughter of Col. Gill Armistead, at the home of her stepfather, John Lewis, in Williamsburg. His residence on James river was known as "Tree Hill" and was famous for its race track. He died May 18, 181 1.

Clayton, Philip, born in South Farnham parish, Essex county, Virginia, in 1746-47, son of Samuel Clayton. He was an ensign in the Third Virginia Regiment, July 4, 1779; lieutenant. May 10, 1780; and trans- ferred February 12, 1781. to the Seventh Virginia Regiment, in which he served to the close of the revolutionary war. About 1784 he went to Georgia, settling either in Richard or Jefferson counties, and became prominent in state affairs, being state treas- urer in 1794. and a representative in the Georgia constitutional convention of 1795. He married (first) at Stevensburg (now Stevens City), Frederick county, Virginia, in 1777. Mildred, daughter of Roger Dixon, a wealthy merchant of Fredericksburg, member of Virginia house of burgesses, and first clerk of Culpeper county ; he mar- ried (second) Elizabeth, relict of Peter Games, Esq., and sister of Hon. William

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