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DANIEL SHEFFEY was born in Frederick, Maryland in 1770. His education was inconsiderable. At an early age, his father taught him the trade of a shoemaker. While engaged on his shoemaker's bench, he was frequently observed, during leisure moments, to be intensely occupied in the perusal of some author for his instruction or amusement. His more discerning friends saw that he would one day be ranked among the distinguished men of his country.
When he arrived at manhood, he left his father's house, with no other property than his tools, and travelled on foot to Winchester, Virginia. Here he raised funds sufficient to supply his present wants; then, he set out again in pursuit of employment until he arrived at Abbeville, Wythe county, Virginia, as poor as ever. Here he commenced at his trade once more.
The novelty and originality of his character, and the flashes of genius which enlivened his conversation, often compelled his newly acquired friends to look on the youth with wonder and amazement. He became popular, and was finally received as a student into the office of Alexander Smyth, Esq. to 'read' the law.
After some years, he settled in Staunton, where he soon commanded an extensive and lucrative practice. He often represented the county of Augusta in the Virginia House of Delegates, and in 1811 he was elected to US Congress. He was opposed to the declaration of war in 1812. Ever on the side of his country, he felt indignant at the injuries which our commerce had sustained on the high seas: the impressment of our seamen, and the murder of our citizens within our own waters: yet he thought that these difficulties might be adjusted by negotiation, and that the last resort of nations might be avoided. He painted in glowing colors the horrors of war and the blessings of peace, and spoke of the treasure which must be wasted, and the blood which would be shed; the danger to our civil institutions amidst the clangor of arms and the shout of victory, and implored his fellow citizens to pause ere the country was plunged into the dangers which he foreboded. When war was declared, he did not waver in defense of her honor, remaining a stalwart patriot. Mr. Sheffey always rejoiced in the success of our arms.
Having served for several years in the councils of his country, he withdrew to the practice of law at Staunton. Intense diligent work would be requisite, not only to supply his family's wants, but to sustain his fame. For a longtime he toiled incessantly in the courts of Virginia, and occasionally was engaged in the Supreme Court of the United States.
In December, 1830, he had been attending court, in Nelson county, and started for home in perfect health. He travelled about twelve miles, and stopped at a tavern for the night. Hardly had he taken his seat, when an apoplectic fit numbered him with the dead.
Thus died an extraordinary man, who by the native vigor of his superb intellect, and the force of ceaseless industry, occupied a conspicuous station among the patriotic and distinguished men of America.
-tattled from an Obituary, Richmond Whig, Dec 27, 1830
It is unknown if the cenotaph in the congressional cemetery is his.
DANIEL SHEFFEY was born in Frederick, Maryland in 1770. His education was inconsiderable. At an early age, his father taught him the trade of a shoemaker. While engaged on his shoemaker's bench, he was frequently observed, during leisure moments, to be intensely occupied in the perusal of some author for his instruction or amusement. His more discerning friends saw that he would one day be ranked among the distinguished men of his country.
When he arrived at manhood, he left his father's house, with no other property than his tools, and travelled on foot to Winchester, Virginia. Here he raised funds sufficient to supply his present wants; then, he set out again in pursuit of employment until he arrived at Abbeville, Wythe county, Virginia, as poor as ever. Here he commenced at his trade once more.
The novelty and originality of his character, and the flashes of genius which enlivened his conversation, often compelled his newly acquired friends to look on the youth with wonder and amazement. He became popular, and was finally received as a student into the office of Alexander Smyth, Esq. to 'read' the law.
After some years, he settled in Staunton, where he soon commanded an extensive and lucrative practice. He often represented the county of Augusta in the Virginia House of Delegates, and in 1811 he was elected to US Congress. He was opposed to the declaration of war in 1812. Ever on the side of his country, he felt indignant at the injuries which our commerce had sustained on the high seas: the impressment of our seamen, and the murder of our citizens within our own waters: yet he thought that these difficulties might be adjusted by negotiation, and that the last resort of nations might be avoided. He painted in glowing colors the horrors of war and the blessings of peace, and spoke of the treasure which must be wasted, and the blood which would be shed; the danger to our civil institutions amidst the clangor of arms and the shout of victory, and implored his fellow citizens to pause ere the country was plunged into the dangers which he foreboded. When war was declared, he did not waver in defense of her honor, remaining a stalwart patriot. Mr. Sheffey always rejoiced in the success of our arms.
Having served for several years in the councils of his country, he withdrew to the practice of law at Staunton. Intense diligent work would be requisite, not only to supply his family's wants, but to sustain his fame. For a longtime he toiled incessantly in the courts of Virginia, and occasionally was engaged in the Supreme Court of the United States.
In December, 1830, he had been attending court, in Nelson county, and started for home in perfect health. He travelled about twelve miles, and stopped at a tavern for the night. Hardly had he taken his seat, when an apoplectic fit numbered him with the dead.
Thus died an extraordinary man, who by the native vigor of his superb intellect, and the force of ceaseless industry, occupied a conspicuous station among the patriotic and distinguished men of America.
-tattled from an Obituary, Richmond Whig, Dec 27, 1830
It is unknown if the cenotaph in the congressional cemetery is his.
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DANIEL SHEFFEY was born in Frederick, Maryland in 1770. His education was inconsiderable. At an early age, his father taught him the trade of a shoemaker. While engaged on his shoemaker's bench, he was frequently observed, during leisure moments, to be intensely occupied in the perusal of some author for his instruction or amusement. His more discerning friends saw that he would one day be ranked among the distinguished men of his country.
When he arrived at manhood, he left his father's house, with no other property than his tools, and travelled on foot to Winchester, Virginia. Here he raised funds sufficient to supply his present wants; then, he set out again in pursuit of employment until he arrived at Abbeville, Wythe county, Virginia, as poor as ever. Here he commenced at his trade once more.
The novelty and originality of his character, and the flashes of genius which enlivened his conversation, often compelled his newly acquired friends to look on the youth with wonder and amazement. He became popular, and was finally received as a student into the office of Alexander Smyth, Esq. to 'read' the law.
After some years, he settled in Staunton, where he soon commanded an extensive and lucrative practice. He often represented the county of Augusta in the Virginia House of Delegates, and in 1811 he was elected to US Congress. He was opposed to the declaration of war in 1812. Ever on the side of his country, he felt indignant at the injuries which our commerce had sustained on the high seas: the impressment of our seamen, and the murder of our citizens within our own waters: yet he thought that these difficulties might be adjusted by negotiation, and that the last resort of nations might be avoided. He painted in glowing colors the horrors of war and the blessings of peace, and spoke of the treasure which must be wasted, and the blood which would be shed; the danger to our civil institutions amidst the clangor of arms and the shout of victory, and implored his fellow citizens to pause ere the country was plunged into the dangers which he foreboded. When war was declared, he did not waver in defense of her honor, remaining a stalwart patriot. Mr. Sheffey always rejoiced in the success of our arms.
Having served for several years in the councils of his country, he withdrew to the practice of law at Staunton. Intense diligent work would be requisite, not only to supply his family's wants, but to sustain his fame. For a longtime he toiled incessantly in the courts of Virginia, and occasionally was engaged in the Supreme Court of the United States.
In December, 1830, he had been attending court, in Nelson county, and started for home in perfect health. He travelled about twelve miles, and stopped at a tavern for the night. Hardly had he taken his seat, when an apoplectic fit numbered him with the dead.
Thus died an extraordinary man, who by the native vigor of his superb intellect, and the force of ceaseless industry, occupied a conspicuous station among the patriotic and distinguished men of America.
-tattled from an Obituary, Richmond Whig, Dec 27, 1830
It is unknown if the cenotaph in the congressional cemetery is his.
DANIEL SHEFFEY was born in Frederick, Maryland in 1770. His education was inconsiderable. At an early age, his father taught him the trade of a shoemaker. While engaged on his shoemaker's bench, he was frequently observed, during leisure moments, to be intensely occupied in the perusal of some author for his instruction or amusement. His more discerning friends saw that he would one day be ranked among the distinguished men of his country.
When he arrived at manhood, he left his father's house, with no other property than his tools, and travelled on foot to Winchester, Virginia. Here he raised funds sufficient to supply his present wants; then, he set out again in pursuit of employment until he arrived at Abbeville, Wythe county, Virginia, as poor as ever. Here he commenced at his trade once more.
The novelty and originality of his character, and the flashes of genius which enlivened his conversation, often compelled his newly acquired friends to look on the youth with wonder and amazement. He became popular, and was finally received as a student into the office of Alexander Smyth, Esq. to 'read' the law.
After some years, he settled in Staunton, where he soon commanded an extensive and lucrative practice. He often represented the county of Augusta in the Virginia House of Delegates, and in 1811 he was elected to US Congress. He was opposed to the declaration of war in 1812. Ever on the side of his country, he felt indignant at the injuries which our commerce had sustained on the high seas: the impressment of our seamen, and the murder of our citizens within our own waters: yet he thought that these difficulties might be adjusted by negotiation, and that the last resort of nations might be avoided. He painted in glowing colors the horrors of war and the blessings of peace, and spoke of the treasure which must be wasted, and the blood which would be shed; the danger to our civil institutions amidst the clangor of arms and the shout of victory, and implored his fellow citizens to pause ere the country was plunged into the dangers which he foreboded. When war was declared, he did not waver in defense of her honor, remaining a stalwart patriot. Mr. Sheffey always rejoiced in the success of our arms.
Having served for several years in the councils of his country, he withdrew to the practice of law at Staunton. Intense diligent work would be requisite, not only to supply his family's wants, but to sustain his fame. For a longtime he toiled incessantly in the courts of Virginia, and occasionally was engaged in the Supreme Court of the United States.
In December, 1830, he had been attending court, in Nelson county, and started for home in perfect health. He travelled about twelve miles, and stopped at a tavern for the night. Hardly had he taken his seat, when an apoplectic fit numbered him with the dead.
Thus died an extraordinary man, who by the native vigor of his superb intellect, and the force of ceaseless industry, occupied a conspicuous station among the patriotic and distinguished men of America.
-tattled from an Obituary, Richmond Whig, Dec 27, 1830
It is unknown if the cenotaph in the congressional cemetery is his.
Inscription
In the churchyard of Trinity Parish Church, Staunton, Augusta county, Virginia:
"Beneath this stone are entombed the mortal remains of Daniel Sheffy.
Who died, suddenly, on Dec. 3, 1830.
Age 58
Endowed by nature with extraodinary power of mind,
He arose to the highest rank at the bar.
And in the counsels of the Nation, he attained the most exalted eminence.
Equalled by few in the force of intellect, he was excelled by none.
In integrity, and principle and gentleness of heart,
to the memory of the most affectionate husband and the most tender father,
Bereaved affection has raised this humble monument.
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