SOUTHALL.
Valentine Wood Southall, during a long and busy
career, was one of the most prominent men of the county.
He was the son of Stephen Southall and Martha Wood, and
the grandson of Valentine Wood and Lucy Henry, a sister
of the renowned orator. In early life he was engaged in business
in Washington City, but afterwards studied law, and
was admitted to the Albemarle bar in 1813. By his
thoroughness and impressive elocution he soon attained a
place in the front rank of the profession. In 1829 he was
appointed Commonwealth's Attorney, and held the office till
it became elective under the Constitution of 1850. He was
a member of the Convention that formed that Constitution,
and also of that of 1861, acting as the President of the latter
during the sickness of its presiding officer. Though devoted
to his legal duties, he took an active part in politics, and for
a number of terms was a member of the House of Delegates,
and also its Speaker. He died suddenly in the latter part
of 1861. He was twice married, first to Mary, the daughter
of Alexander Garrett, and secondly to Martha, daughter of
James P. Cocke. The home of his early married life was on
the northwest corner of High and Fourth Streets, the present
residence of Dr. W. G. Rogers, but about 1829 he removed to
the brick mansion near the corner of Jefferson and Second,
which he built.
