sons and sources for my information and claim but little credit for originality, but assume all blame myself for mistakes.
The first Supreme Court of the State consisted of the following judges: James H., Brown; Wm. A. Harrison; Edwin Maxwell, and Ralph L. Berkshire.
William A. Harrison was the son of Matthew Harrison, a merchant and inspector of tobacco at Dunmfries, Prince William County, Virginia.
He was born at the latter place the 27th of August, 1795. His family was among the early settlers of Virginia, an ancestor, Burr Harrison, having come from England to the young colony about 1660. He was married in 1823 to Miss Anna Mayburry. She was the granddaughter of Valentine Eckert, a Pennsylvanian distinguished in Revolutionary times, and one of the earliest judges to sit upon the bench after the formation of the United States government, having been made judge in 1784 of the court of common pleas of Berks County, Pennsylvania, and continuing in office for seven years.
Judge Harrison's home near Clarksburg was noted for its generous hospitality, and there he reared a large family of boys and girls. He was a tall and handsome man of dignified and commanding appearance, and at the same time, gracious in manner. He died at Clarksburg, December 31, 1870.
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RALPH L. BERKSHIRE.
He was largely acquainted with distinguished lawyers and politicians of his day. Judge Harrison resided in Clarksburg, Harrison County, Virginia, from 1821 until the time of his death.
In 1823 he was assistant United States District Attorney and attended the court in Wythe County, going to and fro on horseback.
His practice was one of immense labor, and to it he gave great research and profound thought. While never a politician he was a constant adherent of the Whig party, and his intercourse with his fellow-men was marked with a dignified bearing and manner, courteous to all. He was an eloquent advocate, a sound reasoner, an honest man, and adorned the profession, both the bench and bar, by his eminent qualities of head and heart.
He was a member of the Presbyterian Church and lived a consistent Christian.
He was for three sessions a member of the Virginia Assembly, and subsequently he became District Attorney for the western district of Virginia.
When excitement arose incident to the Rebellion he showed a firm adherence to the Union and took an active part in the public meetings which resulted in the reorganized government of Virginia at Wheeling. He was a member of the Governor's Council and rendered material aid by his knowledge of the law and his sound judgment and wise councils.
