Perry County AlArchives Biographies.....Walthall, Richard Booker May 19, 1794 - July 30, 1849
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Carolyn Golowka http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00012.html#0002972 November 3, 2008, 2:39 pm

Author: "Alabama: Her History, Resources, War Record and Public Men From 1540 to 1872,: by Willis Brewer, published 1872, Page 489

Perry was the home of Richard Booker Walthall.  He was born in Amelia county, 
Virginia, May 19, 1794, and was the son of John and Grace Booker Walthall.  The 
parents removed to Franklin county, Tennessee, in 1798, and there the son 
passed his boyhood.  After graduating at Nashville College, he read medicine 
for six months, but abandoned it to march against the Muscogees.  He fought at 
Talladega and Tohopeka, and oly laid aside his arms at the close of the war.  
In 1819 he came to this State, and, after residing a year in Tuskaloosa, 
settled in Perry – erecting his log cabin near where his stately mansion yet 
stands.  Giving his attention to planting, he accumulated wealth rapidly.  In 
1825 he was elected to the general assembly, and continued to hold a seat in 
that body for eleven consecutive years.  In 1842 he was again elected to the 
senate, and served three years more.  During the major portion of this time his 
party was in a minority in the county, and it was the battle-ground of the 
fiercest political struggles in the State.  The ability, popularity, and purity 
of purpose of Col. Walthall enabled him always to carry more than the strength 
of his party.  He possessed the manliest traits of character, the highest sense 
of honor, and conspicuous talents and energy.  “He wore the white flower of a 
blameless life, and the grand old name of gentleman.”  His fervid eloquence on 
the hustings, his rigid integrity in business, and the boundless hospitality of 
his home, make him a power in his day.  His figure was tall, erect, and lithe; 
his complexion was dark, and his coal-black eyes were overhung by heavy brows.  
His feeble health and modesty prevented him from occupying more exalted 
positions in the State.  He died of consumption at Blount Springs, July 30, 
1849.  While in Tennessee, he married a Miss Moody, and left several 
descendants in Perry.  One of his sons, the late John N. Walthall, represented 
the county in the legislature in 1861, and a grandson is an attorney at the bar 
in Marion.  Dr. D. C. Smyly of Dallas married one of his daughters.

Additional Comments:
Richard Booker Walthall married Sarah Martin Moody.

Malena Walthall Smyly, wife of Dr. Dan C. Smyly, is buried in the Pleasant Hill 
Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Dallas County.  She is likely the daughter 
mentioned in this biography.  The 1850 Census, River Beat, Dallas County, page 
247B shows Sam Smyley, age 34, a farmer, D. C. Smyley, age 31, a physician, 
both born in South Carolina, M. W., a female, age 23, born in Tenn, and C., a 
female, age 1, born in Alabama.  Daniel Caldwell Smyly, M.D., married Malena 
Walthall on December 2, 1846 in Marion, Perry County, Alabama.  Their daughter 
was Caroline Malena.

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