A Collection in
the Library of Virginia
Accession Number 18764
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, 1818-1827, from Francis Walker Gilmer (1790-1826)
of Richmond, Virginia, to John Randolph (1773-1833) of Roanoke
in Charlotte County, Virginia, discussing politics, social
news, Gilmer's legal career, and personal news. Gilmer
comments on Spencer Roane (1762-1822) as a potential
presidential candidate in 1824; the failure of Thomas Ritchie
(1778-1854) to publish a letter from Randolph in the Richmond
ENQUIRER; the Virginia-Kentucky commission to settle land
claims between the two states; Preston's default and petition
before the general assembly, and other political news. Gilmer
comments on the scandal surrounding Mrs. Bell; the Virginia
springs; Littleton Waller Tazewell's speeches; William
Pinkney's skills as a lawyer; and other social news. He
comments on a dispute with John Pickering (1777-1846) about
the etymology of the word "tote." Gilmer writes Randolph about
his trip to Europe to recruit professors for the soon-to-open
University of Virginia, and his travels in England and
Scotland. Gilmer writes upon his return how the trip adversely
affected his health and comments how the university is poor
shape because of Thomas Jefferson. Also includes a letter, 26
January 1827, from Peachy R. Gilmer (1779-1836) to Randolph
returning some letter to Randolph and stating that Gilmer had
seen Randolph's niece Elizabeth Coalter (Bryan)
(1805-1856).
Letter,
14 September 1818, Francis Walker
Gilmer, Richmond, [Virginia], to John Randolph, Roanoke,
[Charlotte County, Virginia], replying to Randolph's of
10 July and returning letter (not included) as
requested, personal remarks.
1 leaf,
ALS.
Letter,
18 December 1820, Francis Walker
Gilmer, Richmond, to John Randolph, Washington, thanking
Randolph for praise of
"A Vindication of the Laws
Limiting the Rate of Interest on Loans, " and
commenting on speeches by Littleton Waller Tazewell made
in Richmond.
2 p.,
ALS.
Letter,
5 January 1822, Francis Walker
Gilmer, Richmond, to John Randolph, Washington,
attacking scandalizers of Mrs. Bell and religious
hypocrites. Gilmer visited Randolph's niece to offer
condolences on her sister's death. Gilmer suggests
Randolph writes personal remarks on the relationship
between him and Gilmer.
3 p.,
ALS.
Letter,
27 January 1822, Francis Walker
Gilmer, Richmond, to John Randolph, Washington,
declining invitation to Washington. Gilmer comments on
William Pinkney; default of John Preston, Treasurer of
Virginia, and his petition for indulgence; Spencer
Roane's possible presidential bid in 1824; Henry Clay's
visit to Richmond over the Kentucky land controversy;
Mrs. Bell, and social news. Gilmer discusses the
etymology of the word
"tote " and his dispute
over it with John Pickering.
4 p.,
ALS.
Letter,
6 February 1823, Francis Walker
Gilmer, Richmond, to John Randolph, Washington, sending
personal news and political news upon Randolph's return
from Europe. Gilmer states that Chapman Johnson is
threatening to revive the Kentucky-Virginia land
compromise.
2 p.,
ALS.
Letter,
29 April 1824, Francis Walker
Gilmer, Richmond, to John Randolph, Washington,
informing Randolph that he delivered his letter to
Benjamin Watkins Leigh so that it would be given to
Thomas Ritchie, but that it hasn't been published yet.
Leigh will be published in the next paper. Claim made
that Ritchie cannot publish the Latin in letter and that
Gilmer retained part of the manuscript. Gilmer denies
the last.
2 p.,
ALS.
Letter,
29 April 1824, Francis Walker
Gilmer, Richmond, to John Randolph, Washington,
requesting advice and confidentiality on Gilmer's
mission to England to recruit professors for the
University of Virginia, and adding that he hopes to be
back by autumn court.
3 p.,
ALS.
Letter,
6 May 1824, Francis Walker Gilmer,
New York, New York, to John Randolph, Washington,
stating that he is leaving for Liverpool Saturday aboard
the
"Cortes. "
1 leaf,
ALS.
Letter,
[1825], Francis Walker Gilmer,
Cambridge, [England], to John Randolph, London,
[England], saying that he had received Randolph's letter
too late, but will keep it for further orders. States
that he has kept Randolph's confidence.
1 leaf,
ALS.
Letter,
25 September 1824, Francis Walker
Gilmer, London, to John Randolph,
"Left in the care of Mr.
Barksdale, London, " saying that he is leaving
shortly and fearing that Randolph did not get his
earlier letter. Gilmer still has the newspaper which he
will return in Virginia. Gilmer states that he had great
success in recruiting professors and adds that he
enjoyed England, but found Scotland
desolate.
3 p.,
ALS.
Letter,
25 May 1825, Francis Walker Gilmer,
Richmond, to John Randolph, Charlotte Court House,
[Virginia], informing Randolph that he has just returned
from Albemarle County, [Virginia], and is feeling better
from his travel illness. Gilmer sends personal news
including comments on W. Barksdale and Dr.
Brockenbrough.
3 p.,
ALS.
Letter,
3 November 1825, Francis Walker
Gilmer, Farmington, [Albemarle County], to John
Randolph, Charlotte Court House, stating that he had
poor accomodations at the Virginia springs. Gilmer
became ill and has to delay return to Richmond. States
that the University of Virginia is in poor shape because
of Thomas Jefferson. Gilmer states that he will teach at
the University as soon as he gets well. Says he expects
to see Dr. and Mrs. Brockenbrough.
2 p.,
ALS.
Letter,
26 January 1827, Peachy Ridgway
Gilmer, Richmond, to John Randolph, Washington,
returning Randolph's letters with Francis Walker
Gilmer's last letter. Gilmer also has seen Randolph's
niece Elizabeth Coalter.