Southampton County-Norfolk City Virginia USGenWeb Archives Obituaries.....Sebrell, Hon. James E., 1924 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/va/vafiles.htm ************************************************ HON. JAS. E. SEBRELL DIES IN NORFOLK IN NINETY-SECOND YEAR Native of Southampton and One of Its Most Prominent Citizens - Oldest Mason and Randolph-Macon Alumnus in State - County Treasurer 15 Years and Represented County in Legislature. A TRUE VIRGINIA GENTLEMAN Hon. James Edward Sebrell died at his home in 1112 Redgate avenue, Norfolk, Friday afternoon, July 18, about 6 o'clock. He was in his ninety-second year, having celebrated his ninety-first birthday in Norfolk January 3, 1924, at a family reunion attended by all of his children, several grandchildren and many relatives. Mr. Sebrell, one of the ablest and most prominent men of his generation in this county, was born in Southampton County near the present village of Sebrell, the son of the late William Jones Sebrell and Mrs. Mary Butts Sebrell. He attended Randolph-Macon College, then situated at Boydton, Va., and graduated at the age of 18. His graduating address was in Latin, written and delivered by him. At the time of his death he was the oldest living alumnus of that institution. He taught school in this county for several years and a number of the older citizens of our county, many of whom have long since preceded him to the grave, were his pupils. As all other patriotic sons of the South, he took an active part in the fortunes of the Southern Confederacy, serving with distinction as sergeant- major of the Eighteenth Virginia Battalion. He bore arms throughout the full period of the war and ever treasured and held in reverence the cause for which he fought, being esteemed and honored by his former comrades in arms throughout the long span of life he enjoyed following that memorable struggle, and holding membership in Urquhart-Gillette Camp, Confederate Veterans. Among offices of public trust, Mr. Sebrell was Treasurer of Southampton County for fifteen years, filling that office acceptably and with the sterling efficiency which characterized all of his work. He represented Southampton in the Virginia Legislature in the troublous times of reconstruction when few counties in the State were so fortunate as to have a representative of such outstanding ability and integrity as he. When the People's Bank of Courtland was organized in 1904, he became its first cashier and served in that capacity until declining years caused him to relinquish the position. Our honored county man was known far and wide throughout the State for his love of Masonry and for his exceptional service to that order. He had been a Mason for nearly seventy years, a record which is perhaps unequalled in the State, and served as District Deputy Grand Master for forty-six years. In his church affiliations he was a loyal and conscientious Methodist, being a member of the Courtland M.E. Church until he removed to Norfolk a few years ago when he united with the Epworth M.E. Church of that city. As many honors as had come to him during his long and useful life, his friends like to think of him, not in connection with those positions which his integrity and ability had made possible, but rather as one of the finest types of the Southern Christian gentleman of their acquaintance. An exemplar of that splendid figure of the old South, "a gentleman of the old school," appreciated most by those who have known men who deserved the title and who wore it honorably, Mr. Sebrell, by a rare combination of Christianity, exceptional native ability, courtliness, courage for his country at a time when it needed brave hearts most, a trained mind and a willingness to serve his people and his county well, numbered friends and admirers wherever he was known. About the year 1855, Mr. Sebrell was married to Miss Ann Maria Bell, their wedded life being a long and happy journey for two-thirds of a century, Mrs. Sebrell dying in January, 1921. From this union the following children survive: five sons, Thomas E. of Richmond, Dr. J. Emmett of Charlotte, N.C., Robert A. and John N. Jr., of Norfolk and Charles H. Sebrell of Lawrenceville, and one daughter, Miss Rena F. Sebrell of Norfolk. Their oldest child, William James Sebrell, who was a prominent lawyer of this county and Commonwealth's Attorney at the time of his death, died in 1910. Another daughter, Mrs. J.E. Moyler of Franklin, died on June 4, 1924. He is also survived by a half-brother, Jno. N. Sebrell, Sr., of Courtland. Funeral services were conducted from Epworth Church, Norfolk, Sunday afternoon, at 3 o'clock in the presence of a large concourse of friends and relatives, by Dr. J.W. Moore, pastor of the church, assisted by Rev. W.T. Green of Newport News. During the service the Epworth Church quartet sang "How Firm a Foundation," and "Nearer My God to Thee." The pallbearers were: W.L. Prince of Richmond, R.A. Pope of Drewryville, R.A. Pretlow and Dr. R.H. Cobb of Franklin, Judge James L. McLemore of Suffolk, Chas. W. Davis of Courtland, Dr. Stanley H. Graves and W.T. Shannonhouse of Norfolk. Interment was made in Elmwood Cemetery, Norfolk. [photo, captioned:] HON. JAMES E. SEBRELL Hon. James Edward SEBRELL, Confederate veteran, former teacher, county treasurer, legislator & bank cashier, b. 3 Jan 1833, Southampton Co., d. 18 Jul 1924, at home, Norfolk, interred in Elmwood Cemetery (Section IMP, Block 64, Lot 6*), Norfolk, 20 Jul 1924, "Tidewater News" (Franklin, VA), Vol. 19, No. 41, Fri., July 25, 1924, p. 1 *Additional information: Elmwood list, City of Norfolk VA USGenWeb Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/va/norfolkcity/cemeteries/elmwood/elm-scarr-seed.html Photos of his gravestone & CSA marker - added by SWF & Anonymous - and a better image of the photo used in the newspaper - added by Tom Nichols - are posted with Find a Grave Memorial #65645580. Ann's obit ("Tidewater News," Jan. 28, 1921, p. 1), with their marriage record appended, is posted at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/southampton/obits/s164a1ob.txt Ann & James were actually step-siblings. Their widowed parents 2m. in 1843. (Southampton Co. M.Reg. 1750-1853, pp. 549, 719) Their half-brother John N. SEBRELL, Sr., is buried in Riverside Cemetery, Courtland, in an unknown plot. Their son William James SEBRELL is also buried there - Episcopal Sect., Plot 15. Southampton County Historical Society {SCHS} Cemetery Project, Riverside list: http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/southampton/cemeteries/riverside.txt James does not appear in the regimental history of the 18th Battalion VA Heavy Artillery {1st ed.}. Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by File Manager Matt Harris (zoobug64@aol.com). file at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/southampton/obits/s164j1ob.txt