A Collection in
the Library of Virginia
Accession Number 18763
Library of Virginia
The Library of Virginia 800 East Broad Street Richmond, Virginia 23219-8000 USA Phone: (804) 692-3888 (Archives Reference) Fax: (804) 692-3556 (Archives Reference) Email: archdesk@lva.virginia.gov(Archives) URL: http://www.lva.virginia.gov/
Francis Walker Gilmer was born 9 October 1790 at "Pen Park"
in Albemarle County, Virginia, to George Gilmer (1742-1795)
and Lucy Walker Gilmer (1751-1800). He received some of his
education at Monticello from Martha Jefferson Randolph
(1772-1836) and at a school run by James Ogilvie (1760-1820).
Gilmer attended the College of William and Mary in 1809-1810,
then studied law under William Wirt (1772-1834) in Richmond,
Virginia. Upon the completion of his legal studies, he
travelled extensively along the eastern seaboard with the Abbe
Joseph Francisco Correa de Serra (1750-1823) before beginning
the practice of law in Winchester, Virginia, in 1816. A year
later, Gilmer returned to Richmond to continue practicing law.
In 1824, he was chosen by Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) to
travel to Europe to hire professors for the newly established
University of Virginia. Gilmer himself was appointed professor
of law, but he died before he could assume his position on 25
February 1826 at "Farmington" in Albemarle County.
Letters, 1812-1825, of Francis Walker Gilmer (1790-1826) of
Richmond and Winchester, Virginia, to William Wirt (1772-1834)
of Richmond and Washington D.C. discussing Gilmer's and Wirt's
legal careers; their health; family and acquaintances;
Gilmer's travels; education and literature; Virginia and
United States politics. Gilmer writes about his reading law
under Wirt and the education of Wirt's children; Gilmer's law
practice in Winchester and Richmond and the possibility of
settling in Baltimore, Maryland; Wirt's legal career,
including arguing before the Supreme Court, appointment as
United States attorney for the Richmond District, and his
service as United States Attorney General; and his and Wirt's
health. Gilmer writes about authors and literature, including
Wirt's biography of Patrick Henry (1736-1799). He comments on
the British burning of Hampton, Virginia, during the War of
1812. Gilmer discusses the bar in Winchester, Richmond and
Maryland, commenting on the legal abilities of William Pinkney
(1764-1822), Littleton Waller Tazewell (1774-1860), John
Wickham (1763-1839), and Wirt. Gilmer also mentions the
adverse effects of his journey to Europe to hire professors
for the University of Virginia upon his health. Gilmer
discusses mutual friends and acquaintances like William H.
Cabell (1772-1853), Dabney Carr (1773-1837), Thomas Jefferson
(1743-1826), John Randolph (1773-1833), the Abbe Correa de
Serra (1750-1823), and Abel P. Upshur (1790-1844).
Letter,
21 November 1812, Francis Walker
Gilmer, Richmond, [Virginia], to William Wirt,
Montevideo, Buckingham County, [Virginia], reporting on
legal business affairs, Robert Wirt's geography lessons,
Gilmer's law readings, his plans for the future, and
Wirt family news.
4 p.,
ALS.
Letter,
27 June 1813, Francis Walker Gilmer,
Balls, [Powhatan County, Virginia?], to William Wirt,
Richmond, reporting on the trip of the Wirt family and
Gilmer as they travel to Montevideo in Buckingham
County.
2 p.,
ALS.
Letter,
28 June 1813, Francis Walker Gilmer,
Montevideo, [Buckingham County], to William Wirt,
Richmond, concerning reception by the Cabell family,
health of the Wirt family, study plans, and personal
business. Contains a note, probably by William H. Cabell
stating that Wirt's family had arrived at
Montevideo.
4 p.,
ALS.
Letter,
8 July 1813, Francis Walker Gilmer,
Montevideo, [Buckingham County], to William Wirt,
Richmond, regarding the British raid on Hampton,
Virginia, and Gilmer's frustration with the state's
leaders. He adds he is about to travel to Albemarle
County, Virginia.
4 p.,
ALS.
Letter,
20 September 1813, Francis Walker
Gilmer, Montevideo, [Buckingham County], to William
Wirt, Richmond, stating that the mail has been delayed
by high water. He also states that he and Mrs. Wirt have
been teaching Robert and Laura Wirt and discusses
teaching Latin.
4 p.,
ALS.
Letter,
18 December 1815, Francis Walker
Gilmer, Winchester, [Virginia] to William Wirt stating
that he has returned from his travels with the Abbe
Correa de Serra and has plantings and seeds for Mrs.
Wirt and for William H. Cabell.
1 leaf,
ALS.
Letter,
January 1816, Francis Walker Gilmer,
Winchester, to William Wirt, Washington, D.C.,
discussing his travels with the Abbe Correa de Serra,
Wirt's advice on establishing a law practice, and
Gilmer's renewed resolution and ambition. Gilmer
discusses his correspondence with Thomas Jefferson,
plant specimens, and his writings.
3 p.,
ALS.
Letter,
30 March 1816, Francis Walker
Gilmer, Winchester, to William Wirt, Richmond,
congratulating Wirt on being appointed United States
Attorney for the Richmond District. Gilmer comments on
the Winchester bar, the lawyers there, and his practice.
He asks Wirt to conduct some financial transactions for
him.
4 p.,
ALS.
Letter,
4 May 1816, Francis Walker Gilmer,
Winchester, to William Wirt, Richmond, concerning Wirt's
courtroom encounter with William Pinkney, and Gilmer's
first case in Winchester. He discusses the care of
flowers and his correspondence with William H. Cabell.
He asks Wirt for advice on teh law of wills.
4 p.,
ALS.
Letter,
30 July 1816, Francis Walker Gilmer,
Winchester, to William Wirt, Washington and forwarded to
Richmond, again asking for references on laws on wills,
and Gilmer's difficulties in courtroom speaking. Gilmer
states that many people are urging him to move to
Baltimore, Maryland, to practice, but Gilmer is
uncertain. He sends news of Dabney Carr and family and
the Abbe Correa de Serra. He asks about Wirt's biography
of Patrick Henry. Gilmer adds that he may travel to
Richmond for a visit.
3 p.,
ALS.
Letter,
29 August 1816, Francis Walker
Gilmer, Albemarle County, to William Wirt describing a
visit with the Abbe Correa de Serra and Dr. Caspar
Wistar to Thomas Jefferson and asking about his
appointment as a deputy attorney for
Winchester.
2 p.,
ALS.
Letter,
10 October 1816, Francis Walker
Gilmer, Winchester, to William Wirt, Richmond, regarding
Wirt's health and his biography of Patrick Henry,
Gilmer's correspondence with Thomas Jefferson on Wirt's
behalf, and the problems of a legal practice in
Winchester. Gilmer also discusses business and personal
news.
4 p.,
ALS.
Letter,
20 December 1816, Francis Walker
Gilmer, Winchester, to William Wirt, Richmond,
discussing his Christmas plans, Wirt's biography of
Patrick Henry, and Thomas Jefferson's opinion of it.
Gilmer comments on Littleton Waller Tazewell, John
Randolph, and Abel P. Upshur. Gilmer discusses his plans
for the future, including his retirement. He comments on
scholarship in law and institutions. Gilmer discusses
the education of Wirt's children and the health of the
Dabney Carr family. Also comments on his financial
arrangements.
6 p.
ALS.
Letter,
[1816], Francis Walker Gilmer to
William Wirt concerning William H. Cabell's health,
Gilmer's travel plans, Gilmer's correspondence with
DuPont de Nemours, and his problems with the printers on
his
"Sketches of American
orators. "
2 p., fragment,
AL.
Letter,
27 January 1817, Francis Walker
Gilmer, Washington, to William Wirt, Richmond,
concerning Gilmer's trip to Washington and Richmond; the
estate of John Moylan of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and
a request for help from Abel P. Upshur in relation to
it. Gilmer mentions John Randolph and Henry
Tucker.
3 p.,
ALS.
Letter,
4 February 1817, Francis Walker
Gilmer, Winchester, to William Wirt, Richmond, regarding
the possible public reception of Wirt's biography of
Patrick Henry. He comments on John Moylan's estate and
financial dealings in Richmond connected with
it.
3 p.,
ALS.
Letter,
28 March 1817, Francis Walker
Gilmer, Winchester, to William Wirt, Richmond,
discussing Wirt's successes as U.S. attorney and sending
the Abbe Correa de Serra's opinion of Wirt. Gilmer
comments on his career, regrets over past behavior, and
his early life and education at Monticello. Gilmer
discusses Littleton Waller Tazewell and John Randolph.
He comments on the virtue of honesty in human conduct.
Gilmer discusses his future writings, management of bank
stock, and the Corbin will case. He sends greetings to
Wirt's family and sends some news of Thomas
Jefferson.
8 p.,
ALS.
Letter,
22 February 1820, Francis Walker
Gilmer, Richmond, to William Wirt, Washington, asking
for news. Gilmer comments on the Richmond bar and
Littleton Waller Tazewell. Gilmer comments on essays
appearing in the
"
Indiginist. "
3 p.,
ALS.
Letter,
1 March 1822, Francis Walker Gilmer,
Richmond, to William Wirt, Washington, concerning Wirt's
poor health and recovery, the death of William Pinkney,
opportunities in Baltimore, the decline of Virginia,
travel, and personal news.
3 p.,
ALS.
Letter,
27 April 1822, Francis Walker
Gilmer, Richmond to William Wirt stating he will not be
coming to Washington. Gilmer comments on his northern
travel plans, Baltimore, the decline of the Richmond
bar, Dabney Carr as a possible Supreme Court justice,
and Wirt's letter from Baltimore.
2 p.,
ALS.
Letter,
29 December 1822, Francis Walker
Gilmer, Richmond, to William Wirt, Washington,
concerning Robert Wirt, a packet and portrait of William
Pinkney, and Gilmer's difficulties with
printers.
3 p.,
ALS.
Letter,
30 December 1822, Francis Walker
Gilmer, Richmond, to William Wirt regarding the packet
and Wirt's suggestions. Gilmer again asks about Robert
Wirt. Gilmer states that Robert Goodloe Harper has asked
him to be part of counsel for the United Illinois and
Oubache Land Companies.
1 leaf,
ALS.
Letter,
30 January 1823, Francis Walker
Gilmer, Richmond, to William Wirt, Washington,
concerning Wirt's dock stock and the Mayo Bridge in
Richmond, Warm Springs property, and the Bellona Foundry
investment. Also comments on the Wabash lands case, a
constitutional point of law, and the Kentucky
compromise.
4 p.,
ALS.
Letter,
26 February 1823, Francis Walker
Gilmer, Richmond, to William Wirt asking for Wirt's help
in securing a position of indian agent for William F.
Pendleton so that he might marry.
2 p.,
ALS.
Letter,
12 May 1823, Francis Walker Gilmer,
Richmond, to William Wirt, Washington, stating that he
has sent the communication to Thomas Ritchie, editor of
the Richmond
Enquirer . Gilmer does not
think he will move to Frederick, Maryland. Adds that he
saw Robert Gamble.
1 leaf,
ALS.
Letter,
12 May 1823, Francis Walker Gilmer,
Richmond, to William Wirt, Washington, asking Wirt for a
letter of introduction for James Southgate to Richard
Rush, Minister to Great Britain.
1 leaf,
ALS.
Letter,
15 June 1823, Francis Walker Gilmer,
Richmond, to William Wirt, Washington, regarding the
case of Miss [Martha H.?] Syme whose nephew had taken
some of her slaves. Gilmer discusses the case. He also
comments on travelling to the Virginia Springs in the
summer.
3 p.,
ALS.
Letter,
1 January 1824, Francis Walker
Gilmer, Richmond, to William Wirt, Washington,
regretting that Wirt's Christmas invitation came too
late to accept. He comments on Miss Syme's case. Gilmer
discusses Mrs. Cabell and her need for an escort
home.
3 p.,
ALS.
Letter,
3 February 1824, Francis Walker
Gilmer, Richmond, to William Wirt, Washington,
concerning the cases of Blane v. Young and Commonwealth
v. Boyce, and stating that location of Boyce's and
Wirt's papers on the case are unknown.
3 p.,
ALS.
Letter,
25 February 1824, Francis Walker
Gilmer, Richmond, to William Wirt, regarding Dabney
Carr's election to the Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals
and Wirt's speech in the "Steamboat Case" [Ogden vs.
Gibbons in the U.S. Supreme Court].
2 p., fragment,
AL.
Letter,
30 April 1824, Francis Walker
Gilmer, Richmond, to William Wirt concerning a "secret
mission" to Europe [Gilmer travelled to Europe to hire
professors for the University of Virginia]. States he
received Wirt's letter.
1 leaf,
ALS.
Letter,
29 November 1824, Francis Walker
Gilmer, New York, to William Wirt, Washington,
concerning Gilmer's illness from travelling. Gilmer
mentions a rumor that Wirt might replace Richard Rush as
minister to Great Britain. Comments on his journey
aboard the
"Crisis " with Captain
McManus. Mentions Robert Wirt.
4 p.,
ALS.
Letter,
22 December 1824, Francis Walker
Gilmer, Norfolk, to William Wirt stating that he has
been delayed in his travels due to missing the Richmond
boat in Norfolk because the Baltimore boat was late.
Comments on his health.
1 leaf,
ALS.
Letter,
11 January 1825, Francis Walker
Gilmer, Richmond, to William Wirt stating that he has
not been to Albemarle County nor seen Thomas Jefferson
yet. Gilmer says that he will continue to practice law.
Mentions his poor health.
2 p.,
ALS.
Letter,
1 February 1825, Francis Walker
Gilmer, Richmond, to William Wirt regarding Mrs.
O'Donnell's legacy. States that his health is getting
better. Mentions Catharine Gratten Gamble and his
preference for her as president.
2 p.,
ALS.
Letter,
4 November 1825, Francis Walker
Gilmer, Albemarle [County], to William Wirt introducing
Professor George Long.
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