CI.
CI. JOHN M. GREGORY.
CI. Senior Councillor
and
Acting Governor.
CI. March, 1842, to January, 1843.
John Munford Gregory, the son of John Munford and
Letitia Gregory, was born in Charles City County, Virginia,
July 8, 1804. He was the descendant of early settlers in the
Colony, and his progenitors had borne honorable part in the
War of the Revolution, his grandfather having been killed in
action on the Jersey line, at a place called Quibbleton.
John Munford Gregory's early education was, after the
rudiments acquired at an "old field" school, pretty much
self-education. He taught himself, and learned at the same
time the important lesson of the dignity of labor. As a farm
hand he had his toil sweetened by aspirations of a higher
life, and removing to James City County, began his upward
course by teaching. He then pursued the study of law,
and entered William and Mary College, from which institution
he graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Law in
1830. He was, in the same year, elected the delegate from
James City County to the Legislature, in which office he
served continuously until 1841, when he was elected a member
of the Council of State. Becoming Senior Councillor, by
rotation, on March 31, 1842, he succeeded John Rutherfoord
as Acting Governor of Virginia, and continued the chief
executive of the state until January 1, 1843, when he was
succeeded by Governor James McDowell. In accordance
with an Act of the General Assembly, passed December 14,
1842, the term now for which the Governors of Virginia were
elected began on the first day of January next succeeding
their election.
As an instance of Governor Gregory's modesty, it is
worthy of note that he refused to occupy the gubernatorial
mansion whilst filling temporarily the executive chair. His
tenure of office being short he addressed himself rather to the
active discharge of his official duties, ignoring the outward
and visible signs, the "pomp and circumstance" of a Governor's
usual surroundings.
In 1853 John Munford Gregory was appointed United
States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, which
position he held until the year 1860, when he was elected
Judge of the Sixth Judicial Circuit of Virginia, serving in
this capacity until 1866. At this date he was removed from
office by the Federal authorities, and resuming the practice
of his profession was soon elected Commonwealth's Attorney
for Charles City County. This post he held until 1880, when
feeble health compelled his retirement from active labor.
He removed in 1881 to Williamsburg, Virginia, to enjoy in a
serene old age the rewards of a virtuous, well-spent life.
The honors which he had gathered were the recompense of
natural ability, steadfastness of purpose, and sterling integrity,
than which no nobler combination can be found in all
that goes to make up—a man.
Governor Gregory married Miss Amanda Wallace, of
Petersburg, Virginia, and a large family perpetuates his
ancient and honorable name.
