Difference between revisions of "John Minor"

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|imagename=
 
|imagename=
|name=John Minor, III
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|name=John Minor III
 
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|1stoffice=Colonel of the Spotsylvania County militia
 
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|almamater=The College of William and Mary
 
|almamater=The College of William and Mary
|profession=lawyer, soldier, politician
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|profession=Lawyer, soldier, and politician
 
|spouses=Mary Berkeley & Lucy Landon Carter
 
|spouses=Mary Berkeley & Lucy Landon Carter
 
|relatives= seven children: John (d. 1862), Lewis Willis, Lucius H., Lancelot Byrd, Charles Landon Carter, James Monroe, and [http://edu.lva.virginia.gov/online_classroom/union_or_secession/people/mary_blackford Mary Berkeley] (famed anti-slavery activist d. 1896).
 
|relatives= seven children: John (d. 1862), Lewis Willis, Lucius H., Lancelot Byrd, Charles Landon Carter, James Monroe, and [http://edu.lva.virginia.gov/online_classroom/union_or_secession/people/mary_blackford Mary Berkeley] (famed anti-slavery activist d. 1896).
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John Minor III was born on May 13, 1761 at the family home, Topping Castle, in Caroline County, Virginia. <ref> Charles M. Blackford, "Four Successive John Minors (Continued)," ''The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography'', Vol. 10, No. 2 (Oct., 1902), p. 204, accessed October 14, 2015. </ref>
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John Minor III (1761 &ndash; 1816) was born on May 13, 1761 at the family home, Topping Castle, in Caroline County, Virginia.<ref>Charles M. Blackford, "Four Successive John Minors (Continued)," ''The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography'', Vol. 10, No. 2 (Oct., 1902), p. 204, accessed October 14, 2015.</ref>
  
While attending the College of William & Mary, fifteen-year-old Minor ran away to join the army and fight in the Revolutionary War. During the war, Minor served as a private in Nelson's Light-horse troop, part of Lighthorse Harry lee's command.<ref> W. W. Blackford, ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=Rm0wrDXDh-UC&dq=%22general+john+minor%22+virginia&lr=&source=gbs_navlinks_s War Years with Jeb Stuart]'' (LSU Press, 1993), 3, accessed October 14, 2015. </ref> After the war, Minor returned to William & Mary and studied law under [[George Wythe]]. <ref> Morris L Cohen and Th. Jefferson, "Thomas Jefferson Recommends a Course of Law Study," ''University of Pennsylvania Law Review'', Vol. 119, No. 5 (Apr., 1971), pp. 823-844, 823, accessed October 14, 2015. </ref> Upon completing his legal studies, Minor began a successful practice in Fredericksburg, Virginia, and became known for "his knowledge of law and his magnetic eloquence." <ref> Blackford, "Four Successive John Minors (Continued)," 204. </ref>
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While attending the College of William & Mary, fifteen-year-old Minor ran away to join the army and fight in the Revolutionary War. Minor served as a private in Nelson's Light-horse troop, part of Lighthorse Harry Lee's command.<ref>W.W. Blackford, ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=Rm0wrDXDh-UC&dq=%22general+john+minor%22+virginia&lr=&source=gbs_navlinks_s War Years with Jeb Stuart]'' (LSU Press, 1993), 3, accessed October 14, 2015.</ref> After the war, Minor returned to William &amp; Mary and studied law under [[George Wythe]].<ref> Morris L Cohen and Th. Jefferson, "Thomas Jefferson Recommends a Course of Law Study," ''University of Pennsylvania Law Review'', Vol. 119, No. 5 (Apr., 1971), pp. 823-844, 823, accessed October 14, 2015. </ref> Upon completing his legal studies, he began a successful practice in Fredericksburg, Virginia, and became known for "his knowledge of law and his magnetic eloquence."<ref>Blackford, "Four Successive John Minors (Continued)," 204.</ref>
  
In addition to his successful legal practice, Minor served as Fredericksburg's first Commonwealth's Attorney. <ref> John Taette Goolrick, ''[https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=OzWVJr9zlAYC&oi=fnd&pg=PA11&dq=historic+fredericksburg&ots=lzX7cwsYkv&sig=K-yeaN1t9UW2wAnOK-Q7gSz5GJA#v=onepage&q=historic%20fredericksburg&f=false Historic Fredericksburg: The Story of an Old Town]'' (Whittet & Shepperson, 1922), 26, accessed October 19, 2015. </ref> As the Commonwealth's Attorney, Minor's salary was 2,000 pounds of tobacco. <ref> "[http://fredmarkers.umwblogs.org/2008/03/23/brig-gen-john-minor-n-32/ Brig. Gen. John Minor N-32]" by amyb, Fredericksburg, Stafford, Spotsylvania Historical Markers (2008), 246, accessed October 14, 2015. </ref> He took particular interest in helping along young and struggling lawyers. <ref> Dabney Herndon Maury, ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=UBUOAAAAIAAJ&dq=%22general+john+minor%22+virginia&lr=&source=gbs_navlinks_s Recollections of a Virginian in the Mexican, Indian, and Civil Wars]'' (C. Scribner's Sons, 1894), accessed October 14, 2015. </ref> After being impressed in court by Benjamin Botts, Minor offered the young orphan a place in his home to live and study. Botts went on the pass the bar exam, become a renowned lawyer, and even serve as a lawyer for Aaron Burr alongside [[John Wickham]]. <ref> Ibid, 311. </ref>
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In addition to his successful legal practice, Minor served as Fredericksburg's first Commonwealth's Attorney with a salary of 2,000 pounds of tobacco.<ref>John Taette Goolrick, ''[https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=OzWVJr9zlAYC&oi=fnd&pg=PA11&dq=historic+fredericksburg&ots=lzX7cwsYkv&sig=K-yeaN1t9UW2wAnOK-Q7gSz5GJA#v=onepage&q=historic%20fredericksburg&f=false Historic Fredericksburg: The Story of an Old Town]'' (Whittet &amp; Shepperson, 1922), 26, accessed October 19, 2015; "[http://fredmarkers.umwblogs.org/2008/03/23/brig-gen-john-minor-n-32/ Brig. Gen. John Minor N-32]" by amyb, Fredericksburg, Stafford, Spotsylvania Historical Markers (2008), 246, accessed October 14, 2015.</ref> He took particular interest in helping young and struggling lawyers, one of whom was Benjamin Botts who served as a lawyer for Aaron Burr alongside John Wickham.<ref>Dabney Herndon Maury, ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=UBUOAAAAIAAJ&dq=%22general+john+minor%22+virginia&lr=&source=gbs_navlinks_s Recollections of a Virginian in the Mexican, Indian, and Civil Wars]'' (C. Scribner's Sons, 1894), 311, accessed October 14, 2015.</ref>
  
While in Fredericksburg, Minor became the first to introduce a resolution for the emancipation of slaves in America. <ref> Ibid, 2. </ref> The dates are disputed, but Minor introduced his two bills between the years 1782 and 1790. <ref> "Brig. Gen. John Minor N-32." </ref> Both bills provided for the emancipation of the American slaves. The first bill provided for "gradual emancipation," and the second bill provided for "transportation and colonization." <ref> Charles M. Blackford, "Four Successive John Minors (Concluded)," ''The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography'', Vol. 10, No. 4 (Apr., 1903), pp. 436-440, 436, accessed October 15, 2015. </ref> While both bills were approved, no further action was taken. <ref> "Brig. Gen. John Minor N-32." </ref> Minor later freed all his slaves and paid for their return voyage to Liberia. <ref> Ibid. </ref>
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Minor introduced a bill in the Virginia General Assembly in 1782 (and a second bill in 1790) for the emancipation of slaves in America.<ref>Ibid, 2; "Brig. Gen. John Minor N-32."</ref> The first bill provided for "gradual emancipation," and the second bill provided for "transportation and colonization."<ref>Charles M. Blackford, "Four Successive John Minors (Concluded)," ''The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography'', Vol. 10, No. 4 (Apr., 1903), pp. 436-440, 436, accessed October 15, 2015.</ref> While both bills were approved, no further action was taken.<ref>"Brig. Gen. John Minor N-32."</ref> Minor later freed all his slaves and paid for their return voyage to Liberia.<ref>Ibid.</ref>
  
Minor served as a member of the House of Burgesses between the years 1805 and 1807. In an unsuccessful political campaign, Minor ran for Congress against [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Monroe James Monroe] and lost. However, Minor and Monroe were close friends, and that friendship survived the congressional campaign. Minor even named one of his sons after Monroe--Dr. James Monroe Minor (a navy surgeon). <ref> Maury, ''Recollections of a Virginian in the Mexican, Indian, and Civil Wars'', 3. </ref> Minor served as colonel of the Spotsylvania County militia, and was commissioned Brigadier General during the War of 1812. <ref> "Brig. Gen. John Minor N-32;" Blackford, ''War Years with Jeb Stuart'', 4. </ref> After the war, Minor returned to his prosperous legal practice. <ref> Thomas Katheder, "[http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/Papers.cfm?abstract_id=2506179 Debt of Honor: A Sabine Hall Gamester Comes to Ruin in Fredericksburg]" ''SSRN'' (October 2014), 9, accessed October 14, 2015. </ref>
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Minor served as a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses between 1805 and 1807. In an unsuccessful political campaign, he ran for Congress against his friend [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Monroe James Monroe] and lost. <ref> Maury, ''Recollections of a Virginian in the Mexican, Indian, and Civil Wars'', 3. </ref> Minor served as colonel of the Spotsylvania County militia, and was commissioned Brigadier General during the War of 1812. <ref> "Brig. Gen. John Minor N-32;" Blackford, ''War Years with Jeb Stuart'', 4. </ref> After the war, he returned to his prosperous legal practice.<ref>Thomas Katheder, "[http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/Papers.cfm?abstract_id=2506179 Debt of Honor: A Sabine Hall Gamester Comes to Ruin in Fredericksburg]" ''SSRN'' (October 2014), 9, accessed October 14, 2015.</ref>
  
 
In 1816, Minor died suddenly of apoplexy while giving a speech in Richmond to the Electoral College. According to Blackford's 1903 biographical account of Minor, there is a ghost story surrounding the circumstances of Minor's death:
 
In 1816, Minor died suddenly of apoplexy while giving a speech in Richmond to the Electoral College. According to Blackford's 1903 biographical account of Minor, there is a ghost story surrounding the circumstances of Minor's death:
  
<blockquote> He [Minor] died in Richmond, as stated above, about eleven o'clock at night in the State capitol. The same evening there were assembled around the parlor fire at Cleve, in King George county, a number of the members of his wife's family, among them her brother-in-law, Mr. Wm McFarland, a lawyer of talents, but more given to poetry than to law. He had a mind which would now be called "impressionable," and which would make a good "medium." About eleven o'clock he left the room to go to bed, but in a moment returned somewhat alarmed, saying that he had seen General Minor in the gallery up stairs--yet he was sure it was only his ghost. He was laughed at and told it was only his fancy, so he started out again, but returned with the same story, and then the whole party went with him, but not being impressionable, the ghost was not seen. In a few days they learned that the time Mr. McFarland went up stairs was the hour at which General Minor had died in Richmond. Mr. McFarland's fancies ever afterwards were more esteemed. Of course, there was no ghost, nor was there anything supernatural in McFarland's vision. The art of photography and wireless telepathy in the physical world prepares us to believe that on a mind peculiarly sensitive, impressions may be made by physical facts at a distance, to which the common mind is absolutely oblivious. <ref> Blackford, "Four Successive John Minors (Concluded)," 436-438. </ref> </blockquote>
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<blockquote>
 
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He [Minor] died in Richmond, as stated above, about eleven o'clock at night in the State capitol. The same evening there were assembled around the parlor fire at Cleve, in King George county, a number of the members of his wife's family, among them her brother-in-law, Mr. Wm McFarland, a lawyer of talents, but more given to poetry than to law. He had a mind which would now be called "impressionable," and which would make a good "medium." About eleven o'clock he left the room to go to bed, but in a moment returned somewhat alarmed, saying that he had seen General Minor in the gallery up stairs&mdash;yet he was sure it was only his ghost. He was laughed at and told it was only his fancy, so he started out again, but returned with the same story, and then the whole party went with him, but not being impressionable, the ghost was not seen. In a few days they learned that the time Mr. McFarland went up stairs was the hour at which General Minor had died in Richmond. Mr. McFarland's fancies ever afterwards were more esteemed. Of course, there was no ghost, nor was there anything supernatural in McFarland's vision. The art of photography and wireless telepathy in the physical world prepares us to believe that on a mind peculiarly sensitive, impressions may be made by physical facts at a distance, to which the common mind is absolutely oblivious.<ref>Blackford, "Four Successive John Minors (Concluded)," 436-438.</ref>
Minor is buried in the Masonic Cemetery in Frederickburg, Virginia, next to the James Monroe Museum and Memorial Library. <ref> Katheder, "Debt of Honor," 9. </ref>
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</blockquote>
 
 
 
 
==Family Life==
 
Minor married twice. In 1790, Minor married Mary Berkeley, who died only a few months after their marriage. In 1793, Minor married his late wife's cousin, Lucy Landon Carter. <ref> Blackford, "Four Successive John Minors (Continued)," 204. </ref> Together, they had a large family including six sons and one daughter. Minor's daughter, [http://edu.lva.virginia.gov/online_classroom/union_or_secession/people/mary_blackford Mary Berkeley Minor], became a prominent female anti-slavery activist and "colonizationist." <ref> "[http://edu.lva.virginia.gov/online_classroom/union_or_secession/people/mary_blackford Mary Berkeley Minor Blackford (1802-1896)]," by Brent Tarter, Education @ Library of Virginia, accessed November 4, 2015. </ref>
 
  
 +
Minor is buried in the Masonic Cemetery in Frederickburg, Virginia, next to the James Monroe Museum and Memorial Library.<ref>Katheder, "Debt of Honor," 9.</ref>
  
 +
Minor married twice. In 1790, Minor married Mary Berkeley, who died only a few months after their marriage. In 1793, Minor married his late wife's cousin, Lucy Landon Carter, with whom he had six sons and one daughter.<ref>Blackford, "Four Successive John Minors (Continued)," 204.</ref> One daughter, [http://edu.lva.virginia.gov/online_classroom/union_or_secession/people/mary_blackford Mary Berkeley Minor], became a prominent female anti-slavery activist and "colonizationist."<ref>"[http://edu.lva.virginia.gov/online_classroom/union_or_secession/people/mary_blackford Mary Berkeley Minor Blackford (1802-1896)]," by Brent Tarter, Education @ Library of Virginia, accessed November 4, 2015.</ref>
  
 
==See also==
 
==See also==

Latest revision as of 10:12, 16 February 2017

John Minor III

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Colonel of the Spotsylvania County militia
In office
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Commonwealth's Attorney for Fredericksburg
In office
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Brigadier General of militia
In office
1804 (?) through the War of 1812
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates
In office
1805-1807
Preceded by
Succeeded by
'
In office
Preceded by
Succeeded by
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In office
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In office
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Personal details
Born May 13, 1761
  Topping Castle, Caroline County, Virginia
Died June 8, 1816
  Masonic graveyard in Fredericksburg, Virginia
Resting place
Residence(s) Hazel Hill, Fredericksburg, Virginia (Topping Castle was retained as a summer home)
Education
Alma mater The College of William and Mary
Profession Lawyer, soldier, and politician
Spouse(s) {{{spouse}}}
Relatives seven children: John (d. 1862), Lewis Willis, Lucius H., Lancelot Byrd, Charles Landon Carter, James Monroe, and Mary Berkeley (famed anti-slavery activist d. 1896).
Known for First to introduce a bill for the emancipation of the slaves
Signature [[File:|left|200px]]


John Minor III (1761 – 1816) was born on May 13, 1761 at the family home, Topping Castle, in Caroline County, Virginia.[1]

While attending the College of William & Mary, fifteen-year-old Minor ran away to join the army and fight in the Revolutionary War. Minor served as a private in Nelson's Light-horse troop, part of Lighthorse Harry Lee's command.[2] After the war, Minor returned to William & Mary and studied law under George Wythe.[3] Upon completing his legal studies, he began a successful practice in Fredericksburg, Virginia, and became known for "his knowledge of law and his magnetic eloquence."[4]

In addition to his successful legal practice, Minor served as Fredericksburg's first Commonwealth's Attorney with a salary of 2,000 pounds of tobacco.[5] He took particular interest in helping young and struggling lawyers, one of whom was Benjamin Botts who served as a lawyer for Aaron Burr alongside John Wickham.[6]

Minor introduced a bill in the Virginia General Assembly in 1782 (and a second bill in 1790) for the emancipation of slaves in America.[7] The first bill provided for "gradual emancipation," and the second bill provided for "transportation and colonization."[8] While both bills were approved, no further action was taken.[9] Minor later freed all his slaves and paid for their return voyage to Liberia.[10]

Minor served as a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses between 1805 and 1807. In an unsuccessful political campaign, he ran for Congress against his friend James Monroe and lost. [11] Minor served as colonel of the Spotsylvania County militia, and was commissioned Brigadier General during the War of 1812. [12] After the war, he returned to his prosperous legal practice.[13]

In 1816, Minor died suddenly of apoplexy while giving a speech in Richmond to the Electoral College. According to Blackford's 1903 biographical account of Minor, there is a ghost story surrounding the circumstances of Minor's death:

He [Minor] died in Richmond, as stated above, about eleven o'clock at night in the State capitol. The same evening there were assembled around the parlor fire at Cleve, in King George county, a number of the members of his wife's family, among them her brother-in-law, Mr. Wm McFarland, a lawyer of talents, but more given to poetry than to law. He had a mind which would now be called "impressionable," and which would make a good "medium." About eleven o'clock he left the room to go to bed, but in a moment returned somewhat alarmed, saying that he had seen General Minor in the gallery up stairs—yet he was sure it was only his ghost. He was laughed at and told it was only his fancy, so he started out again, but returned with the same story, and then the whole party went with him, but not being impressionable, the ghost was not seen. In a few days they learned that the time Mr. McFarland went up stairs was the hour at which General Minor had died in Richmond. Mr. McFarland's fancies ever afterwards were more esteemed. Of course, there was no ghost, nor was there anything supernatural in McFarland's vision. The art of photography and wireless telepathy in the physical world prepares us to believe that on a mind peculiarly sensitive, impressions may be made by physical facts at a distance, to which the common mind is absolutely oblivious.[14]

Minor is buried in the Masonic Cemetery in Frederickburg, Virginia, next to the James Monroe Museum and Memorial Library.[15]

Minor married twice. In 1790, Minor married Mary Berkeley, who died only a few months after their marriage. In 1793, Minor married his late wife's cousin, Lucy Landon Carter, with whom he had six sons and one daughter.[16] One daughter, Mary Berkeley Minor, became a prominent female anti-slavery activist and "colonizationist."[17]

See also

References

  1. Charles M. Blackford, "Four Successive John Minors (Continued)," The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, Vol. 10, No. 2 (Oct., 1902), p. 204, accessed October 14, 2015.
  2. W.W. Blackford, War Years with Jeb Stuart (LSU Press, 1993), 3, accessed October 14, 2015.
  3. Morris L Cohen and Th. Jefferson, "Thomas Jefferson Recommends a Course of Law Study," University of Pennsylvania Law Review, Vol. 119, No. 5 (Apr., 1971), pp. 823-844, 823, accessed October 14, 2015.
  4. Blackford, "Four Successive John Minors (Continued)," 204.
  5. John Taette Goolrick, Historic Fredericksburg: The Story of an Old Town (Whittet & Shepperson, 1922), 26, accessed October 19, 2015; "Brig. Gen. John Minor N-32" by amyb, Fredericksburg, Stafford, Spotsylvania Historical Markers (2008), 246, accessed October 14, 2015.
  6. Dabney Herndon Maury, Recollections of a Virginian in the Mexican, Indian, and Civil Wars (C. Scribner's Sons, 1894), 311, accessed October 14, 2015.
  7. Ibid, 2; "Brig. Gen. John Minor N-32."
  8. Charles M. Blackford, "Four Successive John Minors (Concluded)," The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, Vol. 10, No. 4 (Apr., 1903), pp. 436-440, 436, accessed October 15, 2015.
  9. "Brig. Gen. John Minor N-32."
  10. Ibid.
  11. Maury, Recollections of a Virginian in the Mexican, Indian, and Civil Wars, 3.
  12. "Brig. Gen. John Minor N-32;" Blackford, War Years with Jeb Stuart, 4.
  13. Thomas Katheder, "Debt of Honor: A Sabine Hall Gamester Comes to Ruin in Fredericksburg" SSRN (October 2014), 9, accessed October 14, 2015.
  14. Blackford, "Four Successive John Minors (Concluded)," 436-438.
  15. Katheder, "Debt of Honor," 9.
  16. Blackford, "Four Successive John Minors (Continued)," 204.
  17. "Mary Berkeley Minor Blackford (1802-1896)," by Brent Tarter, Education @ Library of Virginia, accessed November 4, 2015.