CHARLES PICHEGRU WILLIAMSON
Charles Pichegru Williamson, son of Gabriel Galt Williamson
and Gabriella Winston Woolfolk, was born in Caroline county
at "Holly Hill," the home of his maternal grandfather, Pichegru
Woolfolk, on August 6, 1848.
His father, at the time of his birth, was a lieutenant in the
United States Navy, and shortly before the outbreak of the
Civil War, was promoted to the office of Commander and placed
in charge of the S. S. Fulton and ordered to Cuba to watch for
"Slavers." While serving in this capacity he was shipwrecked
off Santa Rosa in 1859, during an equinoctial gale, and one month
later died of yellow fever at Pensacola, Fla.
The family of Commander Williamson had residence in the
historic Wythe house at Williamsburg, Va., at the time of his
death, but at the outbreak of the war returned to "Holly Hill,"
in Caroline. On returning to "Holly Hill" John, the eldest son
of the family, then sixteen years of age, was commissioned midshipman
in the Confederate Navy, and Charles Pichegru, who was
four years younger than his brother John, was sent to a school
in the lower part of Caroline which was taught by his uncle James
Woolfolk.
"Holly Hill" was sold in 1863, upon which the Williamson
family removed to Richmond. Here Charles Pichegru, though
barely past fifteen, was given a position in the Ordnance section
of the Confederate War Department. During the last months
of the war he enlisted in the Confederate Army and served until
the evacuation of Richmond.
After the close of the war he, with his mother, lived for a
few months at Elk Hill, Goochland county, Va., in the home of
his brother-in-law, Randolph Harrison, who had been a distinguished
Colonel in the Confederate Army. In the fall of 1865,
the family returned to Williamsburg, where Charles Pichegru
attended the College of William and Mary for two years. After
leaving William and Mary he decided to enter the ministry in
the Christian Church (Disciples) and so, after working for Dean
& Somerville, of Richmond, and others, until he had accumulated
sufficient funds, he matriculated in the Bible College of
Transylvania University, Lexington, Ky., from which institution
he graduated with second honors of his class.
While a student in Transylvania University he met and married
Betty Johnson, granddaughter of John T. Johnson, a famous
pioneer preacher of the Disciples, and a great niece of Richard
M. Johnson, at one time Vice-President of the United States.
Upon graduation the Rev. Mr. Williamson accepted the
editorship of The Apostolic Guide—a church paper of the
Disciples—and also the presidency of the Madison Female Institute,
of Richmond, Ky. He served this school as president
for ten years and while here became known as one of the foremost
educators of Kentucky. He also preached frequently during his
presidency of the school. Mrs. Daniel Coleman DeJarnette (nee
Willis), of "Spring Grove"—the ancestral home of the DeJarnettes
of Caroline—was a student of the Madison Female Institute during
Mr. Williamson's presidency.
After ten successful years as an educator President Williamson,
upon the advice of his physician, retired from the presidency of
the Madison Institute for rest and recuperation, his health having
become impaired, but after a very brief rest he accepted the
pastorate of First Christian Church, Atlanta, Ga., and in connection
with the pastorate, the editorship of The Southern
Christian, which was at that time the official organ of the
Disciples of Georgia and adjoining States. Here he served for
ten years in the dual office of pastor and editor, winning for
himself a large place in the life of the city. A physical breakdown
made it necessary for him to retire from the Atlanta pastorate,
and he returned to his native State once more for recuperation.
While in the State he purposed to re-enter the field of education
and so, after sufficiently regaining his health, he became the
head of the old Powell School of Richmond, Va., in which position
he remained for two years. At the end of the second session of
the Powell School under his presidency, Doctor Williamson (he
had received a doctorate at this time) went to New York to
consult a specialist, and caught a severe cold on the boat between
Norfolk and New York which developed into pneumonia, from
which he died on July 16, 1903.
In recognition of his scholastic ability, and his splendid contribution
to the cause of education, both Bethany and William
and Mary colleges conferred honorary degrees upon him. He
was a member of the parent chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, and owned
a very superior library, which was loaned indefinitely to his
alma mater, Transylvania University.
Dr. Williamson was survived by his widow, and three children:
Clarence Linden, attorney-at-law; Sadie Gabriella (afterward
Mrs. Robert M. Kent) and Elizabeth Cary, and one adopted
daughter, Gay Braxton, the child of his only sister, Mary Gay
Williamson, who married Charles Braxton.
His widow, Betty Johnson Williamson, still survives and has
seven grandsons, four of whom are the children of her son
Clarence, and three the sons of her daughter, Mrs. Robert Meredith
Kent, of Richmond.
