G. P. R. James (George Payne Rainsford)

Biographical notes:

Robert William Hughes was born at Muddy Creek Plantation, Powhatan County, Va. in 1821. His parents died in 1822 and he was raised by Edward C. Carrington and Eliza Preston Carrington. He attended Caldwell Institute, Greensboro, N. C. and studied law in Fincastle, Va. He married Eliza M. Johnston, niece of Joseph E. Johnston and the adopted daughter and niece of John B. Floyd. Hughes' son was Robert Morton Hughes. Robert William Hughes was a newspaper editor and federal district attorney. Involved in post Civil War Republican Party politics, he was nominated for governor of Virginia and for Congress but did not win. He was appointed judge of the federal court for the Eastern District of Virginia.

16 Jan. 1821 Born at Muddy Creek Plantation, Powhatan Co., Va.,the son of Jesse and Elizabeth Woodson (Morton) Hughes. 1822 Both parents died, and Hugheswas raised by Gen. Edward C. Carringtonand his wife, Eliza(Preston) Carringtonof Halifax Co., Va.(family relationship not known). Ca. 1833 1837 "put to the carpenter's trade in Princeton, N.J." Ca. 1837 1838 Attended Caldwell Institute,Greensboro, N.C. Ca. 1839 Tutor, Bingham High School,Hillsboro, N.C. 1843 Studied law, Fincastle, Va. 1846 Began practice of law, Richmond, Va. 4 June 1850 Married Eliza M. Johnston,(1825-1908), niece of Gen. Joseph E. Johnstonand niece and adopted daughter of John Buchananand Sarah (Preston) Floyd. 1850 Began writing editorials for the Richmond Examiner. 1853 1857 Editor of the Richmond Examinerwhile regular editor in Europe. 1855 Birth of son, Robert Morton Hughes. 1857 1861 Editor of the Washington Union,and lived in home of Secretary of War John Buchanan Floyd. 1861 Birth of son, Floyd Hughes(2 other children died young) 1861 Because of "chronic disease" retired to a farm near Abingdon, Va.,where General and Mrs. Floyd1ived with the Hughes family. 1861 1864 Wrote for the Richmond Examiner,showing hostility toward Jefferson Davis' administration. 1865 1866 Edited the Richmond Republic,and generally pursued a course that considered "nimble" 1868 Delegate to National Democratic Convention. 1869 1870 Editor of the Richmond State Journal. Ca. 1870 Wounded William E. Cameronin a duel. 1872 Named federal district attorney by Grant administration. 1872 Nominated for Congressbut did not win. 1873 Nominated for Governor of Virginiabut did not win. 1874 Named Judge of federal court for the Eastern District of Va. 1898 Resigned judgeship. 1901 Died at Abingdon, Va.

Dictionary of American Biography

From the guide to the Inventory of the Robert William Hughes Papers, 1818-1900, (Special Collections, Earl Gregg Swem Library, College of William and Mary)

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