Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 27.djvu/364

 Southern Historical Society Papers.

Hon. John Randolph Tucker, who became so highly distinguished, describes them as he, when a boy, saw them sitting, in 1835, in the Senate chamber of the Capitol. In his reminiscences of the Virginia Bench and Bar, given to the Bar Association of Richmond, he says: "And next to him I see the vigorous face, strongly marked with common sense and integrity, of William Brockenbrough, for many years an eminent judge on the circuit and of the general court, 'and then a judge of the Court of Appeals from 1834 until his death, in 1838."

The Richmond Enquirer of December n, 1838, made the follow- ing announcement: l< Died in the city of Richmond, yesterday morning, loth inst., after a painful and protracted illness, Judge Wm. Brockenbrough, of the Court of Appeals, in the 6ist year of his age."

The funeral took place on December u, from the residence of his brother, Dr. John Brockenbrough, and the remains were taken for interment to White Plains, in King William county. The day of his decease, the judge of the circuit court of Richmond and Henrico entered upon the records of that court a strong and feeling tribute to his memory, and adjourned. The next day there was a meeting, in the capitol, of the surviving judges of the Court of Appeals, the judge of the circuit court of Richmond and Henrico, the officers of both courts, and members of the bar. On motion of Judge Henry St. George Tucker, Judge Francis T. Brooke was called to the chair, and Sidney S. Baxter, Attorney-General, appointed secretary. Mr. Leigh moved a preamble and resolutions of respect and condolence, which were unanimously adopted. Mr. Leigh's estimate of his char- acter, ability and services was a very high one.

The obituary notice in the Richmond Enquirer says that "his whole life was employed in acts of private virtue and public useful- ness," and that "it could not do justice to the memory of one of the best men that ever lived; yet his constancy and firmness in bear- ing his last afflicting trial ought not to be omitted, for constancy and firmness were striking traits in his character." That friendly but discriminating notice also asserts: "Asa tender husband, an affec- tionate father, a faithful friend, a true and virtuous citizen, he can never be forgotten. His heart was the seat of every kind, generous and benevolent emotion. No one could know him without being struck with the simplicity of his manners, the kindness and warmth of his feelings, and the strength and purity of his principles. * * The sympathy and sorrow so extensively evinced by ' high and low,