VIRGINIA BIOGRAPHY
895
grandmother of Martha Custis, wife of
President Washington, her tomb being at
the old Macon place on "Prospect Hill."
Still another of the noblest families of Virginia, with which Mr. Macon is con- nected, is the Barbour family, through his great-grandfather. Colonel G. F. Barbour, an officer of the revolution serving from Vir- ginia. These names, Aladison, Conway, Macon, are among the most honored of Vir- ginia names and are equally honored in the nation.
James Madison Macon was born at "Monti)ellier" (President Aladison's home), July 3, 1791. died in 1871, a planter and man of high character. He married Lucetta Todd Newman, born in Orange county, Vir- ginia, January 9, 1799. died in 1879. Chil- dren : I. Thomas Newman. 2. Lucy C. E., married Dr. John Kno.x, of Richmond, Vir- ginia. 3. Sarah Frances, married (first) John Goss, of Athens, Georgia ; married (second) Thomas Hill, of Culpeper, Vir- ginia. 4. Edgar B., served in the Sixth Vir- ginia Infantry during the war between the states under General Mahone, and as recruit- ing officer at Norfolk ; after the war he taught school, rose to eminence in public life, served as state senator and is now liv- ing a retired life. 5. James M. 6. Reuben Conway, of whom further.
Reuben Conway Macon, son of James IVIadison and Lucetta Todd (Newman) Macon, was born in Orange county, Vir- ginia, May 14, 1838. He was educated in Orange county private schools and Howard Academy, preparing for the profession of civil engineer. He was for two years in the employ of the Southern railroad at Char- lottesville and Lynchburg, Virginia, his service terminating with his enlistment in Company F. Thirteenth Regiment \'irginia Infantry, as a private. At the reorganiza- tion of the army in April, 1862, he was elected lieutenant. He served in the ranks until ]\Iay 6, 1862, when he was shot in battle, a ball passing through his thigh. After recovering he returned to his regi- ment and was promoted to the rank of regi- mental adjutant. He rendered efficient serv- ice, was a valiant soldier, and when the war ended returned to Orange county, and as an agriculturist has since been one of the important forces in the upbuilding and pros- perity of Orange county. He resides in Orange, where in addition to the manage-
ment of his farm properties he conducts a
successful real estate business. x\lthough
nearing his eightieth year, he is vigorous
and progressive, keeping step with modern
progress and in good citizenship is worthy
of the honored name he bears. He is a
vestryman of St. Thomas Protestant Epis-
copal Church, of Orange, a true friend and
supporter of the church in all its branches.
In political faith he is a Democrat, but has
never sought nor desired public office.
Mr. Macon married, November 2. 1865, Emma C. Rieley, born in Frederick county, \'irginia, in 1847, daughter of James P. and Catherine (Brent) Rieley. Children: i. Fmma B., married Jacob Stair, of York, Pennsylvania ; two children : Jacob Jr., and \'irginia G. 2. Rev. Clifton, married Janet Bruce ; two children : Margaret and Emma.
3. Kate Conway, married Frank Paulson ; two children : Charles H. and Daniel McK.
4. James Conway, married Frances Armi- stead ; one son, James Conway, Jr. 5. Lati- mer Small, married Amelia Slayle ; three children : Latimer Small, Jr., Jacob S. and Mary T. 6. J. Rieley. 7. Evelyn Madison, married (first) Henry D. Atwood, deceased, by whom she had one child. Henry M. At- wood ; married (second) Henry P. Talcott, no issue.
William Sharp. William Sharp, for many years a prominent citizen of Norfolk, was a son of Colonel William W. Sharp, born Jan- uar}- 21, 1801. and his wife, Mary (Wil- loughby) Sharp. Colonel William W. Sharp was a magistrate and for thirty years clerk of the courts at Norfolk county. He was also a faithful member of the Episcopal church, in which he long served as vestry- man. The name of Sharp has been identi- fied with Virginia history from an early period, but little seems to have been done in preserving any connected history of the family. In 1775 John Sharp had two hun- dred and three acres of land and two slaves, and mention of the name is found as early as 1661.
William Sharp was born March 16, 1829, in Norfolk, V^irginia, died there October 4, 1910, at the age of eighty-one years. He attended a private school in Norfolk, where he obtained an excellent education. Pos- sessing a desire to enter the United States navy at his father's suggestion, he went to Washington and called upon President
