William DuVal
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.[1] Born and raised in Richmond, DuVal served in the armed forces during the Revolution then studied law in Philadelphia and at William and Mary College,[2] presumably as one of Wythe's students. When the first United States Court held in Virginia commenced on December 17, 1789, DuVal was among the first four men admitted as counsel along with John Marshall, James Innes, and German Baker.[3] 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.[4] 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.[5]
