Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 4.djvu/628

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VIRGINIA BIOGRAPHY

hundred and fifty thousand pounds and the ordinance read : "Of the notes to be so issued, fifty thousand shall be of the de- nomination of one shilling and shall be signed by John Pendleton. Jr., Gentleman." He was also appointed by the governor judge of V^irginia courts.

Edmund Pendleton, fifth son of Henry and Mary (Taylor) Pendleton, was a post- humous child, his birth occurring Septem- ber 9, 1721. He was a man of wonderful talents and high public position. As presi- dent of the \'irginia state convention that ratified the Constitution of the United States, his masterly argument in favor of ratification drew from Jefferson the en- comium that "taken all in all he was the ablest man in debate that I ever met with." He was speaker of the house of assembly, president of the court of appeals, held pub- lic office during the revolution, and was one (if the strong supporters oi^^^^.^olon'ial cause. He died in 1803, witnou tissue.

From such sterling ancestry rame Milo M. Pendleton, born in Springfield, Massa- chusetts, March 5, 183 1, son of Miletus and Parma (Day) Pendleton, the former named a New England farmer, of near Springfield, later came to Virginia, accompanied by his four sons — Jerome Baxter. Milo M., Arthur S.. Harvey J. — and settled in Portsmouth, where he died a few years afterwards. Milo M. Pendleton was educated in the schools of Springfield, Massachusetts, and after completing his studies he engaged in the railroad business, advancing steadily and in time becoming superintendent of machin- ery of the Seaboard & Roanoke railroad, now Seaboard Air Line, in which capacity he rendered efficient service. He was a prominent member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which organiza- tion he held office many times. He married Augusta Thomas Smith, of Mathews county, X'irginia. Children: George Chapin, Vir- ginia (jayle, Mary Curtis, Harriet Augusta. Milo M. Pendleton died November 5, 1885.

Virginia Gayle Pendleton, daughter of Milo M. and Augusta Thomas (Smith) Pendleton, married, January 9, 1878, Henry Garrett Williams, son of Blackstone and Sarah Ann (Garrett) Williams, of Norfolk county, Virginia, Blackstone Williams being a wealthy planter of that county. The Wil- liams family herein noted are descendants of Pierre Williams, of London, a barrister

and author of decisions in the English courts. Three brothers, James, John and Otho, came together to Virginia, about the year 1692. They separated at the falls of the Rappahannock, where Fredericksburg is now situated, James going to Maryland, John remaining in \Trginia, and Otho going to North Carolina. John Williams married a Miss Dixon, whom family report says was of the same family as Roger Dixon, first clerk of Culpeper county, Virginia.

Henry Garrett W^illiams. aforementioned, was born in Norfolk county, Virginia, May 19, 1852. He was educated in private school and under private tutors. At the age of seventeen years he began active business life as an employee of Augustus Wrenn, carriage manufacturer of Norfolk, and later spent a short time in Baltimore. Maryland, returning to Norfolk at age of twenty-one years. Later he established a retail fancy grocery business, which he operated under the firm name of H. G. Williams & Com- pany. He was very successful and built up a large business that he yet owns but has turned over to the management of his sons. Some years ago Mr. Williams leased the York Hotel in New York City, which he personally manages. He is a Democrat in politics, and a member of St. Luke's Prot- estant Episcopal Church, Norfolk. Children of Henry Garrett and Virginia Gayle (Pen- dleton) Williams: Charlotte Pendleton, de- ceased ; Milo Cecil, married Eleanor Calla- han, and has a daughter, Augusta Eliza- beth; Harry Gayle, married Catherine Brett; \'era Augusta, married Roland Brinkley, and has two daughters, Virginia Pendleton and Helen ; John Robert, married Genevieve Ressler, and has a daughter, Edessa ; Har- riet Divine, married James C. Hilton, pay- master in the United States navy.

William Aurelius Wrenn. The Wrenn family originally came from Wales, the name being spelled Wraen, which was changed to Wren, and finally to Wrenn. Bishop Wren, lord bishop of Ely, born in 1585. was the incumbent of the See of Ely, 1638, and was the uncle of Sir Christopher Wren, architect, of London. Lord Bishop Wren was described as a "wren movmted on the wings of an eagle." He was arrested and sent to the Tower by the Long Parlia- ment, remaining there eighteen years, the same power which imprisoned him releasing