Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 2.djvu/208

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PROMTXEXT PERSOXS


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Strongly opposed the Tractarian movement in England, and republished in America, at his own expense, the writings of Rev. Wil- liam Goode, subsequently dean of Ripon. In 1847 he led in the foundation of the Evangelical Knowledge Society. He did more than any other man to restore in Vir- ginia the influence and prosperity of the Episcopal church. In 1861 he did all in his power to prevent secession, but after the die had been cast supported the fortunes of his native state. William and Mary Col- lege gave him the degree of Doctor of Divin- ity in 1827. He was the author of "Family Prayers" (1834); "Pastoral Letters" (1834, 1854 and 1858) ; "Life of Rev. Devereux Jarratt" (1840); "Companion to the Font and the Pulpit" (1846); "Lectures on the Pastoral Office" (1849); "Reasons for Lov- ing the Episcopal Church" (1852) ; "Old Churches, Ministers and Families of Vir- ginia" (1857), and "The Bible and the Classics" (1861). Bishop Meade's life was written by Rev. John Johns in 1857. Bishop Meade died in Richmond, Virginia, March 14, 1S62.

Bonnycastle, Charles, was born in Wool- wich, England, in 1792, son of John Bonny- castle, professor of mathematics in the Military Academy at Woolwich, and brother of Sir Richard Henry Bonnycastle, soldier and author. He contributed articles to cyclo- pedias and periodicals, and aided his father in compiling mathematical text-books. When the University of Virginia was organ- ized in 1825 he came over to take the chair of natural philosophy, which, two years later, he exchanged for that of mathematics. During 1833-35 he served also as chairman of the faculty. Professor Bonnycastle pub- lished treatises on "Inductive Geometry"


(1832); "Algebra,'* "Mensuration" and papers on scientific subjects. He died in Charlottesville, \'irginia, October 31. 1840.

Pleasants, John Hampden, was born in Goochland county, Virginia, January 4, 1797, son of James Pleasants, governor and United States senator. He was educated at the College of William and Mary, and was graduated in 1817. He studied law in Lynchburg, Virginia, and afterwards re- moved to Richmond and founded the "Whig," the first issue of which appeared January 2/, 1824. Under his management it soon became the leading Whig paper in the state and champion of the party in the great contests of the period. In 1841 he established the "Independent" in Washing- ton, in connection with Edward William Johnston and John Woodson. The former was a brother of Gen. Joseph E. Johnston, and was long remembered by his brilliant writings under the nofti dc f^lnmc "11 Segre- tnrio." He fought a duel with Thomas Ritchie. Jr., on account of a statement which appeared in the Richmond "Enquirer." that Mr. Pleasants was about to found an aboli- tion journal, and signed "Macon." At that time anti-abolition sentiment in Virginia ran extremely high, and nothing was considered a greater insult than such an accusation. The duel was fought with pistols at thirty paces, and Mr. Pleasants received five wounds, from the effects of which he died I'ebruary 2/, 1846. Mr. Pleasants was mar- ried to Mary Massie. and had a number of children, one of whom, James Pleasants, was an eminent lawyer of the Richmond bar.

Hawes, Richard, born in Caroline county, Virginia, February 6, 1797; at the age of


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