History of Campbell County Virginia United States of America

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Alexander Mosby Clayton, jurist, was born in Campbell county, Va., Jan. 15, 1801; son of William and Clarissa (Mosby) Clayton, and a descendant of Dr. John Clayton (born in England, 1690, died in Virginia, 1773). He was admitted to the bar in 1823 and practised for a time at Louisa Court House, after which he removed to Clarkesville, Tenn. He was appointed U.S. judge for Arkansas Territory, Dec. 12, 1832, and remained in the office for two years. He removed to Mississippi in 1837 and was there judge of the high court of errors and appeals, 1842-51. In 1853 he was appointed U.S. consul at Havana, but resigned that post and removed to Memphis, Tenn. He remained in Memphis but a short time, returning to his old home "Woodcote" in Mississippi. He was a delegate to the Mississippi secession convention in 1861, and wrote the ordinance of secession reported by the committee and adopted. He was a member of the Confederate provisional congress; district judge of the Mississippi district during the war, and afterward circuit judge until removed by Governor Ames. He was a member and president of the board of trustees of the University of Mississippi, 1844-53, 1857, and 1878-89. He died at his seat, "Woodcote," in Benton county, Miss., Sept. 30, 1889.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

James Dearing, soldier, was born in Campbell county, Va., April 25, 1840. He was educated at Hanover academy and was appointed a cadet at the U.S. military academy, but left in 1861 to join the army of northern Virginia under General Lee. His first service was as lieutenant in the Washington artillery of New Orleans, La. He was promoted captain in Colonel Latham's N.C. battery, major and commander of Denny's artillery battalion, and colonel of North Carolina cavalry. For gallantry at the capture of Plymouth, N.C., April, 1864, he was promoted brigadier-general. He was conspicuous in the defence of Drewry's Bluff, May 15, 1864. On the retreat from Petersburg to Appomattox, April 5, 1865, he received a mortal wound in an encounter with Col. Theodore Read of General Ord's staff. The two officers, leading opposing forces, were separated by the Appomattox creek at High Bridge, April 6, 1865, and they exchanged pistol shots across the creek until both fell, Colonel Read shot dead and General Dearing mortally wounded. He died at a hotel in Lynchburg, Va., a few days after the surrender of the Confederate army under General Lee, April 9, 1865.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

History of Campbell County Virginia

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