William DuVal

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William DuVal
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Personal details
Born	April, 1748
	Mt. Comfort, Virginia
Died	January 3, 1842
	Buckingham County, Virginia
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Profession	Lawyer Businessman
Spouse(s)	Ann Pope Susan Brown Christian
Relatives
Known for	Studied law under George Wythe Executor of Wythe's will
Signature	[[File:{{{signature}}}|left|200px]]

William DuVal (1748 – 1842), known as Major DuVal, was a prominent Virginia lawyer and a friend and neighbor of George Wythe during the latter's residence in Richmond, Virginia. Born and raised in Richmond, DuVal served in the armed forces during the Revolution, and then studied law in Philadelphia and at William & Mary College, presumably as one of Wythe's students. In December 1789 when the first federal district court commenced proceedings, DuVal was among the first four men admitted to practice before the court—along with John Marshall, James Innes, and German Baker. Governor John Page also appointed the major to a position as a ward commissioner in the city of Richmond.

DuVal's home at the corner of Sixth and Grace streets sat diagonally opposite to the home of George Wythe. DuVal acted as his neighbor's lawyer and served as the executor of Wythe's will. In this capacity, the responsibility fell to DuVal to inform Thomas Jefferson of their friend's last illness and subsequent death. Jefferson and DuVal corresponded over the course of six months in 1806 discussing the disposition of Wythe's bequests and their mutual admiration for their fallen friend.

DuVal died at his plantation in Buckingham County on January 3, 1842 at the age of 94.

See also

• Jefferson-DuVal Correspondence
• Last Will and Testament
• Wythe's Lost Papers
• Wythe the Teacher