Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 5.djvu/178

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VIRGINIA BIOGRAPHY

was born at the Southampton county farm, June 2, 1884. He obtained a good education in the public schools and Franklin Academy, attending the latter institution five years. He became an expert clerk and sten- ographer and began business life in the lat- ter capacity in a real estate office in Nor- folk, Virginia. His next position was in the office of the Homestead Fire Insurance Company of Franklin, Virginia, where he remained five years. He became well ac- quainted and popular in the county, where his father had been an efficient clerk of courts for so long, and in April, 1912, he was elected recorder of town of Franklin for a term of two years. His administra- tion was a most satisfactory one and on April 16, 1914, he was re-elected for a fur- ther term of two years. Eminently quali- fied for the trust by education, ability and experience. Mr. Gay will undoubtedly be chosen to succeed himself so long as he de- clares a willingness to serve. Mr. Gay is a member of the Baptist church, Jefferson Davis Camp, Sons of Confederate Veterans, and in politics is a Democrat, influential and active in party campaigns. He is unmar- ried.

William Meade Stith, D. D. S. Dr. Wil- liam Meade Stith is a representative of an early Virginia family, which was long es- tablished in Brunswick county, and from a long line of worthy ancestors he has in- herited and carries easily those qualities of urbane courtesy and generous chivalry which ever distinguish the true Southern gentleman. He traces his descent to the same ancestor as General George Washing- ton, namely, John Washington, of whom further.

(I) John Washington, who emigrated to this country about 1657, married Jane Flem- ing, and had issue : John, of whom fur- ther.

(II) John Washington married Mary Townsherd, and had issue : John, of whom further.

(IH) John Washington, of "Chotank," married a Miss Murry, and had issue : Law- rence, of whom further.

(IV) Lawrence Washington, of "Cho- tank," married and had issue: Mary F., who married Colonel Robert Stith ; Ann, of whom further ; and others.

(V) Ann Washington married Colonel

John Stith, who had a grant on the north side of the James river, in Charles City county, in partnership with another, Feb- ruary 15, 1663, and received a further grant of 550 acres also on the north side of the James river, on the west side of a run which formed its boundary, July 29, 1664. He was a practicing lawyer in 1680, a mem- ber of the house of burgesses in 1685-92-93, and sheriff of Charles City county in 1691. Colonel and Mrs. Stith had issue: i. Put- nam, of whom further. 2. Ann, who mar- ried Colonel Robert Boiling, of Prince George county, Virginia. 3. Colonel, Drury, who was the owner of land in Charles City county, Virginia, in 1703; served as sheriff from 1719 to 1720, and in 1724-25 ; removed to Brunswick county, and was the first clerk of that county in 1732; married Susanna, daughter of Ilauncelot Bathhurst, the sec- ond son of Sir Edward Bathhurst, who was knighted in 1643. They were the parents of Drury Stith, of Brunswick county, who served as a member of the house of bur- gesses from 1744 to 1753, and was vestry- man of St. Andrew's Church in 1755; he married, about 1718, Elizabeth, daughter of William Buckner, and granddaughter of John Buckner, the patriarch of that family in Virginia. Their son. Captain Buckner Stith, resided at Rock Spring, Brunswick county, Virginia, where he died in 1791 ; he was the author of a treatise on the culture of tobacco ; his wife Ann bore him several children among whom was Richard Stith, born perhaps about 1770, and resided in Brunswick. 4. Captain John, married Mary, daughter of William Randolph, of Turkey Island, and they were the parents of the Rev. William Stith, born 1689, who was the author of the first comprehensive history of Virginia.

(VI) Putnam Stith married and among his children was Richard P., of whom fur- ther.

(VII) Richard P. Stith lived and died in Brunswick county, Virginia, where he en- gaged in the practice of law. He married and among his children was David Meade, of whom further.

(VIII) David Meade Stith, born in Brunswick county, Virginia, in 1844, now resides in Blackington, Virginia, at the age of seventy years, and has long conducted a general store there. He served as a soldier of the Confederate army, and during the last