Curry, J. L. M. (Jabez Lamar Monroe), 1825-1903

Statesman, author, clergyman, diplomat, and educator, of Richmond, Va.

From the description of Jabez Lamar Monroe Curry papers, 1854-1931; (bulk 1882-1903). (Duke University Library). WorldCat record id: 19490877

From the description of Papers, 1881-1884 [microform]. (Rutherford B Hayes Presidential Center). WorldCat record id: 63123465

From the guide to the Jabez Lamar Monroe Curry Papers, 1854-1931, (David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University)

Southern educator.

From the description of J. L. M. Curry papers, 1890-1903 [manuscript]. WorldCat record id: 23107382

Statesman, author, clergyman, diplomat, and educator.

From the description of Papers of J. L. M. Curry, 1637-1939 (bulk 1866-1903). (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 71131127

Educator, author, and statesman.

From the description of Papers of J. L. M. Curry, 1786-1903. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 71068374

Jabez Lamar Monroe Curry (1825-1903) was a southern educator.

From the guide to the J. L. M. Curry Papers, 1890-1903, (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. Southern Historical Collection.)

J.L.M. Curry was born June 5, 1825, in Lincoln County, Ga. His father, William Curry, moved his family to Talladega County, Ala., in 1838. J.L.M. Curry attended the University of Georgia from 1839 to 1843. After graduating, he entered the Harvard Law School where he received his law degree. Curry then returned to Ala. where he practiced law and served in the Ala. House of Representatives. From 1856 to 1861 he served in the U.S. House of Representatives. He resigned from Congress on Jan. 21, 1861, to serve as deputy from Ala. to the Provisional Confederate Congress and as a Representative in the First Confederate Congress. During the Civil War, Curry was a lieutenant colonel in the Confederate cavalry, where he served as a special aide to General Joe Wheeler.

In 1865 Curry became President of Howard College, now known as Samford University. In 1866 he was ordained as a Baptist minister. In 1868 he resigned from Howard College to teach history and English literature at Richmond College, a position he kept until 1881. In 1881, Curry was named General Agent for the Peabody Fund. While in this position, he focused on establishing normal schools for teachers. In addition, he managed the John F. Slater fund, established for educating freedmen. Through his work on these funds, Curry became a spokesman for educating both the whites and the blacks of the south. He continued this educational work until his death.

Curry's educational endeavors were interrupted when President Cleveland appointed Curry Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to Spain on Oct. 7, 1885. He served in this capacity until Aug. 7, 1888, when he resigned. He returned to Spain one last time when he was appointed Ambassador Extraordinary on a special mission in 1902. J.L.M. Curry died Feb. 12, 1903, in North Carolina.

From the description of Pamphlet collection, 1788-1902. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122498781

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)