USA > Delaware > Historical and biographical encyclopaedia of Delaware. V 1 > Part 38
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would subserve the best interests of the coun- try. In November, 1804, he was elected by the legislature of Delaware a senator of the United States, for the unexpired term of Mr. Wells, who had resigned that office ; and on February, 1805, was again elected for the en- suing six years. Our hasty sketch will not permit more than a passing notice of the most prominent events of his life. In 1811, he was re-elected to the United States Senate. War was declared with Great Britain on the 8th of June, 1812. Mr. Bayard had strongiy urged its postponement till the following win - ter, arguing that then the elements would assist in protecting us from the enemy, but now was prompt in advising such measures and such a line of conduct as the safety and honor of the country demanded. He was the chairman of the committee of safety in Wil- mington, his place of residence, and at the head of his fellow citizens, was the first to as- sist with his own hands in the erection of the temporary defences of the town. Shortly after, the Emperor of Russia offered his mediation to both nations, to promote the restoration of peace, and the President accepting the offer without waiting to know whether Great Britain would do so likewise, appointed, April 17, 1813, Mr. Bayard, together with Mr. Galla- tin and Mr. Adams, ministers plenipotentiary, for the purpose of negotiating a peace, with further power, in case of a successful issue, to make a treaty of commerce. Mr. Adams was then the American minister at St. Petersburg, at which place Mr. Bayard and Mr. Gallatin arrived July 21, 1813, and where they remained six months. Becoming satisfied that the British Government did not mean to accept the mediation, they left it January 25, 1814, and traveling by land through Berlin to Am- sterdam, arrived at the latter place on the 4th of March following. There they received dis- patches from the government, apprising them that Great Britain had refused the mediation of Russia, but had offered to negotiate directly, either at London or Gottenburg. Ghent was finally substituted for the latter place, and there after many tedious delays, the treaty of peace was signed, December 24, 1814.
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. assist with other members of the mission, in | preacher, joined the itinerant ranks and trav- the negotiation of a treaty of commerce with eled Queen Anne's Circuit, Md., in 1803, and departed this life June II, of that year. His race was brief, but he won the goal, dying in great triumph in the 31st year of his age. He was remarkable for his zeal and devotion to Christ's cause, and was a most useful minister of the M. E. Church. His ashes repose, as it is believed, under the present Church, Centre- ville, Md. He was united in marriage to Mrs. Anne (March) Lattomus, widow of Jno. Lat- tomus, March 22, 1796. Great Britain, with which they had also been charged. On the 4th March, however, he was attacked with the disease which was to prove fatal to his life. After severe suffering and a confinement for most of the period to his chamber, he left Paris in a state of great de- bility on the 10th of May, and embarking im- mediately on his arrival at Havre, the vessel sailed for Plymouth, where she arrived on the 14th of the same month. Here, in daily ex- pectation of the arrival of Mr. Clay from Their children were Thomas, who died in 1874, in his 74th year ; Sarah, who died in early childhood, and Levi, afterwards Bishop Scott. The Scotts were of Irish lineage ; the grandfather and grandmother of the Bishop having both been emigrants from that country. Their names were Thomas and Lydia. His grandparents on the mother's side -- the Marchs -were emigrants from England who settled in Kent county, Md. London, who was to take passage in the same ship, he was detained for five weeks, during which time he was unable to leave his berth, but remained in a state of excessive suffering and alarming debility. The appointment of minister to Russia had been conferred on liim by the President, and confirmed by the Senate ; but he promptly declined its acceptance. At length the ship was ordered to sail, and arriv- ing in the Delaware on the Ist of August, Mr. The mother of Bishop Scott was a woman of uncommon endowments. Though widowed a second time, she undertook the manage- ment of the farm, freed it from a debt, even bought more land, and reared her children carefully and respectably. Bayard found himself once more, after an ab- sence of more than two years, in the bosom of his family. But it was only to receive their welcome, and to mingle the tears of joy at his return with those of grief for their final sep- aration. He expired on the 6th of August, 1815, at the age of forty-eight years, and that Providence which saw fit to remove him from this life, in the maturity of his powers and the highest capability of usefulness, indulged the fond wish of his heart, to embrace once more his wife and children, and draw his last breath in the land of his nativity.
COTT, REV. LEVI, A. M., D. D., late senior Bishop of the Methodist Episco- pal Church in the United States of North America, was born near Odessa, New Castle county, Delaware, on the 11th day of October, 1802, and on the farm where he resided at the time of his death, July 13, 1882. This was his home after 1862, having left it in 1826 to begin the life of a Methodist Itinerant Minister. He was the youngest of three children of Rev. Thomas and Ann (March) Scott. They were from early life members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Thomas Scott, after serving as a local
She was a woman of great energy of char- acter, of large business capabilities and a faithful christian. She died August 20, 1848, and is interred in the burial ground of the Union M. E. Church, a short distance from her home of over half a century. Levi grew up on the farm and had, when a boy, very limited op- portunities for obtaining an education, going to school but a short time in winter and working on the farm in other seasons of the year.
At the age of 16 years he began, much against his own tastes, to learn the business of a tanner with a cousin, but after four months, was induced by a relative to go to George- town, D. C., and learn, in his employ, the business of a carpenter and builder. This busi- ness proving too great a tax on his strength, he, by the advice of liis medical attendant, abandoned it and returned home. He was fond of mechanical pursuits, and soon after his return engaged in working at the business of a cabinet maker with John Janvier, in Odessa, with wliom he continued until of age. The event upon which his life turned occurred when he was twenty years old : this was his
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LEVI SCOTT, A.M. D.D.
Senior Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Chiedi 200
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conversion, which took place October 16, | to health." He was so returned in 1829, and 1821, in the house of a colored man named Isaac Carter, at Fieldsboro, in a meeting under the supervision of Christian women.
This event loosened his attachment to mechanical employment, as well as to worldly pursuits. For his trade and for merely worldly gain, he no longer evinced his former enthu- siasm, and although he still followed his busi- ness until 1824, his ardor had taken a new direction. Soon after his conversion he felt impelled to husband his time and resources, for the purpose of mental improvement. In 1825, he engaged in teaching near Middletown. In this period of his life he was the subject of peculiar trial resulting from a sense of duty, which had followed him from the first year of his conversion ; the duty of devoting himself to the work of the holy ministry. His strug- gles arose from his sense of the high mental and spiritual attainments required of one en- gaging in the work of the Christian ministry. His modesty and humility, characteristics which accompanied the Bishop through life, caused him to shrink from obtruding himself upon the church. The church, however, did recognize the abilities of young Scott, and the Quarterly Conference of Smyrna Circuit re- commended him in the Spring of 1826, to the Philadelphia Annual Conference" as a suitable person " to be received into the itinerant min- istry. He was so received, and appointed with Rev. Charles Reed, to Talbot Circuit, Mary- land. In 1827, was sent with Rev. Jas. Bate- man to Dover Circuit. In 1828, was admitted into full connection, and ordained Deacon by Bishop George and appointed with three others to the St. George's Charge, Philadelphia. This charge then consisted of four white and two colored churches. Here he had better oppor- tunities. for study. He diligently pursued, under competent instructors, his Latin and Greek in connection with theology and other scientific and classical studies, acquiring those habits of thought and reflection which he per- severingly continued until he was more than fifty years of age. But all this was too much for a constitution which had never been robust; and although greatly enfeebled, St. George's Charge, the next year, asked for his return, kindly saying that inasmuch " as Bro. Scott's health has become impaired in serving us, we want him returned that we may nurse him back
was given a vacation from April until August. In IS30 and 1831 he was in charge of West Chester and Marshalton. In the year 1830 he married Miss Sarah A., daughter of Ralph H. and Grace (Hancock) Smith. It was during this period that great success attended his ministry, and among others brought into the church during these two years, who have become well known to Methodism, was Rev. John S. Inskip. His excessive labors and study however, told on his health and he was compelled to ask for a Supernumer- ary relation. This, however, lasted but nine months, for the health of Rev. James Nicholls of Smyrna Circuit, having failed, he was in- duced by Rev. Lawrence McCombs, P. E., to take his place, having for a Senior Colleague Rev. R. M. Greenbank. At the Conference of 1833, he made a request for light work for one year, the only request he ever made in his life, to the appointing power. He was placed on Kent Circuit, Md., a charge with eleven ap- pointments, and had for Junior Colleague, Rev. Benjamin Benson. Here he remained but one year, being made Presiding Elder of the Dela- ware District 1834, and serving for two years. This was most unexpected as only the older preachers were then given such a charge, and Mr. Scott was at this time regarded as still a young man. In 1836 Bishop Hedding re- moved him from the District, and appointed him to Franklin Street, Newark, N. J.
In this year the Conference, then embracing Eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and the Eastern Shores of Maryland and Vir- ginia, was divided and the New Jersey Con- ference was created, when he asked to be re- turned to the Philadelphia Conference. This was granted him and he was appointed Pastor of the Old Ebenezer Church, Philadelphia. He was re-appointed the second year, and during his pastorate the church building was thoroughly modernized. In 1839 he was ap- pointed to the St. Paul's charge, Philadelphia, and in the spring of 1840, at the earnest solici- tation of Dr. Durbin, then President of Dickin- son College, he was appointed Principal of Dickinson College Grammar School. Here he served with great acceptance for three years, and during the last one was assisted by Rev. Geo. R. Crooks, D. D., and during the preceding two years by Thomas, now Bishop,
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Bowman. In 1840 the degree of A. M. was conferred by the Wesleyan University, and in 1846 the College of his native State, (Dela- ware,) conferred on him the deserved honor of Doctor of Divinity. In 1843 he became pas- tor of the Union Church, Philadelphia, serving for two years. At the close of his term, 1845. was appointed Presiding Elder of the South Philadelphia District, and after three years, at the General Conference of 1848, was elected . by that body assistant Book Agent of the Methodist Book Concern, New York.
Bishop Scott was first sent as Delegate from the Philadelphia Annual Conference to the General Conference of 1836, and was at every General Conference either in the capacity of Delegate or Bishop to the time of his decease. This is a historical fact as unique as it is unus- ual, and illustrates how greatly he has been beloved and honored by his brethren in the ministry. In 1852 the General Conference met in Boston, and Dr. Scott was elected to the most honored position of the church-that of the Methodist Episcopacy.
Soon after Bishop Scott made the first offi- cial Episcopal visitation to the Church in Liberia, Africa, appearing in its conference as the first of the Board of Bishops of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church. From that period he presided in the Annual Conferences, North and South, as well as on the Pacific Coast, and until 1878 performed his full share of the labor- ious duties of the office he so long and so honorably adorned, by a wisdom and purity which the Church has never questioned.
In 1879, November 25, Mrs. Scott died after three weeks' illness. She had been for nearly half a century the sharer of his labors and suc- cesses. Seven children were born to them of this marriage : Rev. Alfred T. Scott, Professor in the Wesleyan Female College, Wilmington ; Emma Irving, who became the wife of Rev. Dr. Mitchell, now of the Georgia Conference, and who died on the 21 of August 1871, and Cornelia Janes, now the wife of Geo. Lybrand Townsend, of whom see sketch in this volume.
On the 20th of May 1880, Bishop Scott had a stroke of paralysis, which disabled one of his arms, but his general health continued good, and although deprived by increasing years and this affliction from leading the hosts of Israel in batttle, he stood to the last in his tent door looking on and cheering, by his words and
example those who go forth into the conflict for the Master and for victory.
He was interred in the graveyard of the Union Methodist Episcopal Church, near his home, and sleeps beside the dead mother he honored, and the wife of his affection.
Bishop Scott's knowledge of theology was wide and profound, his knowledge of church history extensive, while in the department of the Greek language, all that related to sacred literature was critically and profoundly appreciated ; yet, above all his rare and amiable characteristics and acquirements, an acquaintance of many years, impressed the writer of this sketch with the thought that, beyond all else, was his rare spiritual insight and experimental knowledge of the word of God. Here he was indeed a master in Israel, and his exegesis of texts teaching a religion of experience, however profound or difficult to others, seemed to him familiar and easy by reason of his own deep experience of a self demonstrative Christianity. It was this that gave him his greatest power in the pulpit, and by which he will be longest remembered by the Methodist Episcopal church.
ARRINGTON,SAMUEL MAXWELL, Chancellor, was born in Dover, Febru- ary 5, 1803. On his father's side he was of English descent,-on his mother's, of German extraction. His academic studies were completed at Washington College, Mary- land, of which Dr. Francis Waters was Presi- dent. He was graduated in 1823, with the first honors of his class. During his minority, the death of his father imposed upon him the charge of his mother and two sisters. His first public employment was in the office of the Clerk of the Supreme Court, of Kent county. By the invitation of Henry M. Ridgely, he entered into his office as a student ; and, sub- sequently, finished his legal studies with Martin W. Bates. He was admitted an attor- ney of the Supreme Court at the October Term, 1826. In 1828, upon the retirement of John M. Clayton, as Secretary of State, he was appointed his successor by Gov. Polk, and was subsequently re-appointed by Gov. Haz- zard. A vacancy having occurred in the office
Ning July, yours, S. M. Harringtonp. L. L. D.
CHANCELLOR OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE.
President of the Delaware Rail Road Company.
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of Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Mr. Harrington was selected, in 1830, to fill that position ; and, upon the abolition of the Supreme Court and the Court of Common Pleas, by the Constitution of 1831, he was ap- pointed one the Associate Judges of the Superior Court. Then, as now, the peculiarity of the judicial system of Delaware, rendered the position of an Associate Judge exception- ally important, the administration of every branch of jurisprudence falling directly within his functions. In this situation he continued until April 3, 1855, when he was made Chief Justice, in place of James Booth, and occupied that station until May 4, 1857, when he was appointed Chancellor, which place he held until his death, on Tuesday, November 28, 1865, at the Washington House in the city of Philadelphia. From 1832 to 1855, he was the official Reporter of the judicial decisions of the State. In 1849 he was appointed by the Legislature, in connection with Joseph P. Comegys and Daniel M. Rates, to revise the public Statutes then in force, with general dis- cretion to omit such provisions as they should consider unnecessary, and to vary whatsover they might deem proper to render the general system consistent, or more perspicuous, or better adapted to circumstances. This delicate and responsible duty was faithfully performed by the Commissioners ; and the Revised Code was passed by the unanimous vote of both Houses of the Legislature, February 27, 1852. In 1853 the honorary degree of LL. D. was conferred upon him by Delaware College.
Without any extraordinary advantages of social or political influence, a career so remark- able could have been accomplished only by the manifestation of unusual merit. At a time when the Bar was filled with lawyers of the highest eminence, that a practitioner of three years' standing, and only twenty-seven years of age, should have been elevated to the dig- nity of Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, might reasonably have appeared a wanton ex- periment upon public forbearance ; but that he should have maintained his position with credit, discharging its duties with admitted capacity, gaining public confidence and profes- sional esteem, and steadily advancing to the attainment of the highest judicial station, amply vindicated the wisdom of his selec- tion.
A recapitulation of his professional labors would be a summary of the judicial history of the State for more than one-third of its exis- tence. The written law was largely compiled by his hand, and the unwritten is evidenced by his Reports. Other men may have obtained a wider reputation and achieved more brilliant success, but there are few to whom it has been given to confer more substantial benefits upon a whole community.
For the position of a judge he was, by nature, admirably adapted. With a mind re- flective rather than suggestive, he was not prone to indulge in legal speculations, but was content to found his judgment upon the law as it had been established. The maxim, "stare decisis," which he adopted as the motto of his Reports, constituted the index to his judicial character. Patient of toil, his diligence was unremitting. Desirous to be informed, he was willing to hear both sides. Possessed of a kindly disposition, he was uniformly courteous lin his deportment. Scrupulous in his integrity, to use his own words in the case of Rice vs. Foster, he would "much rather be right than be consistent." His whole life was a system of labor, and in this respect each day was but a repetition of the former. Stricken with paralysis, he was for two years almost pros- trated ; but so unconquerable was his determi- nation to do something, that disease could not overcome it ; and with him to cease to work, was to cease to live.
In the midst of his judicial labors he was not forgetful of the material interests of the. people. He found time to advance a system of internal improvement ; and, intense in what- soever he undertook, to him, perhaps, more tlian to any other, we are indebted for the completion of that line of travel and transpor- tation which has done so much to enhance the value of our lands and develop the resources of the State. Had he effected nothing else, the Delaware Railroad ought to endear his memory to this people, and endure as a monu- ment of his wisdom and perseverance in secur- ing this instrument of their prosperity. Though a judge, he was not unmindful of his duty as a citizen ; and his views of the relation subsist- ing between the States and the National Gov- erment induced him to take a decided stand with reference to the conflict that threatened the disruption of the Union. The measures
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of the administration for the suppression of the rebellion found in him a warm supporter. He regarded secession as rank treason, and he had neither toleration for the act nor sympathy with the actors.
Thus faithful to his Government, he did not neglect the higher obligations which he owed to his God. A member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, he was unobtrusive in his devo- tions and unostentatious in his piety. Ac- knowledging his dependence upon a Higher Power, he manifested, in his life, that his actions were governed by the principles of a religion which he was not ashamed to confess. A useful citizen, a true patriot, an upright judge, and a sincere christian, those among whom he was born, with whom he dwelt and for whom he wrought, are not insensible of his merits, nor will they be forgetful of his labors.
OCKWOOD, RICHARD, late a mer- chant of Middletown, was born in Kent county, April 14, 1778. His parents were John and Ann (Kirkly) Lockwood; the former, who was a farmer, was born Octo- ber 15, 1759, and died October 8, 1811. Mrs. Lockwood, born December 11, 1766, died July 30, 1791, when her son Richard was but three years and three months old. Just previously, on the second day of the same month, she lost her youngest son, Samuel, born October 10, 1789. Besides these she had two children older, Letitia, born January 3, 1785, married Matthias Day-her death not recorded-and William Kirkly, born Ootober 24, 1786, mar- ried Miss Hayes. He died in January, 1872. The grandfather of the subject of our sketch was Richard Lockwood, born November 29, 1735. His wife, Margaret, was born February 8, 1737, and died July 14, 1814. Armwell Lockwood was the father of Richard, and his wife's name was Mary; no dates or other par- ticulars in regard to them have been preserved. The subject of this sketch grew up on his father's farm, receiving only the plain English education, generally considered sufficient at that day. In 1810, when in his twenty-second year, he came to Middletown and engaged as a clerk in the dry-goods store of Joseph White, whose partner he afterward became. In the
war of 1812 he enlisted as a private soldier, and was stationed at old Fort Cassimer, at New Castle, where he became noted as a musket shot. He killed, with a flint-lock musket, loaded with ball, a crow flying over- head.
On returning to his business, he was very successful as a merchant till 1830, when the firm failed through the dishonesty of a clerk whom Mr. Lockwood had made a partner, and he was left without any other property than a farm belonging to his wife. But redoubling his energies he paid off all the indebtedness of the firm and commenced anew. He was prospered, enabled to bring up well his large family of ten children, and left at his death a landed estate of over twelve hundred acres in Maryland and Delaware, besides considerable personal property. His course of conduct through life was such as to win the good will of all, and the entire respect of the community. When not actively engaged in business he loved the retirement of home, and was averse to holding office, but was devoted to the inter- ests of the Whig party, and never voted any other ticket till 1861, when he became a Republican. From that time, however, he ceased to take an active part in politics He was warm in his advocacy of the society of Free Masons, having joined Union Lodge, No. 5, soon after his arrival in Middletown. He passed the chairs soon after the war of 1812. He was a member, and for a long time vestry- man, of old St. Anne's Protestant Episcopal Church, and in its adjoining burial ground his remains now repose. Mr. Lockwood was married, October 28, 1817, to Mary R., daughter of Edward and Lydia R. (Rothwell) Wilson, of the Levels, near Middletown. Their children were Lydia Ann, who married Samuel Price of Maryland; Edward W .; Mary R., married John M. Naudain ; Martha E., married Col. Joshua Clayton, son of Hon., T. Clayton ; William K ; Sarah Francis, mar- ried Cyrus Tatman ; Letitia Louisa, married Professor A. M. Goldsborough of Philadelphia ; John J .; Richard T ; and Margaretta R., who married Henry Clayton.
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