Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 04.pdf/495

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The Green Bag.

appointed by the General Assembly jointly into the wide world to search for those who with Judge Henry Potter of the United may supply his place in our affections, the States District Court for North Carolina to exclamation involuntarily arises, — publish a revision of the statute law of the "Vale! Vale! Heu quanto minus est, cum reliquis versari State. This revisal, known as Potter's Revisal, Quam tui meminisse." came out in 1821. In 1825 Judge Taylor published a continuation of this work, includ Judge Taylor was twice married. By his wife Julia Rowan he had one child, a ing the Acts of 1825. This is known as Tay lor's Revisal. He also published a treatise daughter, who married Major Junius Sneed, of Salisbury. A son of theirs, John Louis on executors and administrators. He pos sessed a singular aptitude for literature, and Taylor Sneed, became Attorney-General of would have excelled in composition if his Tennessee. His second wife was Jane Gas "jealous mistress," the law, had given him ton, sister of Judge Gaston, by whom he had opportunity. His elocution was the admira a daughter who married David E. Sumner, tion of all who heard him. His style of of Gates County, and left descendants in writing is preserved to us in his opinions, Tennessee. Judge Taylor also had a son who died without Issue. His name, there and in beauty of diction they are not sur passed, if equalled, by any of his successors. fore, can be transmitted to posterity only Chief-Justice Taylor came to that post at in his good works which " do follow him." forty-nine years of age, and during the ten Judge Taylor was succeeded as judge by John years he presided in the new court his D. Toomer, and as Chief-Justice by Leonard opinions, which are to be found in Murphey's Henderson. Chief-Justice Leonard Henderson was the last volume and Hawks's four volumes (now known as 7th to 11th N. C. Reports inclusive) son of Judge Richard Henderson of colonial and in part of 16 N. C, form at once his times, and was born, Oct. 6, 1772, on Nutjudicial record and his lasting eulogy. His bush Creek, in that part of Granville County opinions before his elevation are to be found which is now in Vance. As an evidence of in the prior volumes, 1st to 6th N. C. His the frugality and industry of the times, it is charge to the grand jury of Edgecombe in said his mother taught her sons as well as her 18 17 is a model in style and subject matter. daughters to card and spin. A county and It was published by request of the grand jury. two prosperous towns preserve this illustrious Of his character as a man his associates place family name to posterity. His brother Archi their estimate on record in a tribute to be bald was equally distinguished as a lawyer. found in the 16 N. C. (1 Dev. Eq.) 309, as Archibald married the sister of Governor follows : " Of the Chief-Justice as a man, we Alexander, and represented the Salisbury are unwilling to trust ourselves to speak as district two terms in Congress, — the same we feel. We loved him too well and too long district for which his grandson, Hon. John to make the public the depository of our S. Henderson, is now the worthy represen cherished affections. If there ever heaved a tative in Congress for the sixth term. Two kinder heart in human bosom, it has not other brothers of Judge Henderson were fallen to our lot to meet with it. If ever man distinguished lawyers, while another was Comptroller of the State, and long Clerk of was more faithful to friendship, more disinter ested, humane, and charitable, we have not the Supreme Court; and his uncle, Major been so fortunate as to know him. When Pleasant Henderson, a Revolutionary soldier we think of these excellences, — when we call of distinction, succeeded Judge Haywood as to mind the instances in which we have seen clerk of the House of Commons in 1786, and them illustrated in practice, and felt their retained the office through all the mutations kindly influence, — and when we look around of parties and men for forty years, and by