Bath-Statewide County Virginia USGenWeb Archives Biographies.....Blackburn, Gen. Samuel 1758 - 1835
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Alice Warner Brosey EmbryProject@gmail.com August 29, 2009, 9:07 pm

Source: Historical Collections of Virginia, by Henry Howe, 1845
Author: Henry Howe

Gen. Samuel Blackburn, who resided in this county, was born about the year 1758.
He was one of the most successful orators and criminal lawyers of his time in
Virginia. He was the father of the anti-duelling law of the state, which we
believe was the first passed in the country after the war of the revolution.
Among other penalties it prohibited any one who had been engaged in a duel from
holding offices of trust in the gift of the state. Some years after, a gentleman
who had challenged another was elected to the legislature. When he came forward
to take the customary oath, his violation of the law was urged against him.
Some, however, contended that the circumstances of the case were so aggravating
that its provisions ought to be disregarded, and fears were entertained that
this sentiment might prevail. Then it was that Gen. Blackburn, who was a member,
came forward with a speech of great power in opposition. The result was the
triumph of the law in the rejection of the member. Gen. B. died in 1835, aged
about 77. He was a man of much benevolence. At his death, he by will manumitted
all his slaves, and provided for their transportation to Liberia. 


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