De Bow, J. D. B. (James Dunwoody Brownson), 1820-1867

Editor and statistician, of New Orleans, La.

From the description of Papers, 1779-1915. (Duke University Library). WorldCat record id: 19491448

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)