April 20, 2015 / Joanne Yeck

Buckingham Notables: James Malone

Rose Hill, circa late 1940s

Photo by Kenneth Madison McDonald, Courtesy Rosemary Holdredge

In the 19th century, it was rare for the Richmond newspapers to run a lengthy obituary for a citizen of Buckingham County. James Malone, though he was not a native of the county, was one of those exceptions. The following ran in the Richmond Whig on April 8, 1864:

Died, at his residence, Rose Hill, Buckingham county, Va., on the 25th ult., JAMES MALONE, in the 90th year of his age. A native of the County of Caroline, from whence he removed to Henrico County, A.D. 1816, where he continued to reside until last fall (?) at which time he purchased and removed to his late residence.
He was a man of extraordinary natural capacities, quick and penetrating in his discernment, faithful and just in his transactions of unbounded energy and industry, and during his long and active life accumulated a comfortable competence.
He was for many years a consistent and useful member of “the body of Christ,” untiring in his study of the Scriptures of which he had attained an extraordinary comprehension, and, as a consequence, longed for “the appearing of the Lord Jesus the Christ,” and devoutly wished, as he earnestly prayed, to be permitted to remain awake until his long expected Master and Lord should appear to assume His rightful government over the world. But at last he quietly fell asleep, in hope of a resurrection to immortality and eternal life at the appearing of Him he had so ardently longed to see.
He was highly respected for his many virtues, and will be deeply lamented by his numerous circle of friends in this vicinity.
G.B.S., Richmond, Va.
Petersburg papers please copy.

Thanks to Bibb Edwards for sharing this obituary.

Click for more about Rose Hill and the Malone School.