Judge Benjamin Estill
b. 13 March 1780, d. 14 July 1853
| Birth | 13 Mar 1780 | Judge Benjamin Estill was born on 13 Mar 1780 in Hansonville, Washington (now Russell) County, Virginia.1 |
| Education | | He studied law, was admitted to the bar and settled in Abingdon in Washington County.1 |
| Public Serv | | For many years he served as the Attorney for the Commonwealth for Washington County.1 |
| Residence | | Benjamin's home was on Main Street in Abingdon and occupied a quarter acre parcel. The home was a framed structure measuring about 60 by 24 feet. He also owned 2 quarter acre lots in the town. In 1815 the 3 parcels and the house were valued at $3,333.2 |
| Public Serv | | Benjamin represented Washington County to the Virginia state legislature during which time he proposed and assisted in the formation of Scott County. The county seat was named Estillville in his honor.1 |
| Public Serv | 1825 | In 1825 he was elected to the Nineteenth Congress of the United States. He received almost every vote cast in the district and served until 1827.3 |
| Public Serv | 1831 | The Virginia court system was reorganized in 1831, at which time Benjamin was elected a member of the General Court. He was assigned to the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit which included Lee, Scott, Russell, Washington and Tazewell counties. He served in this capacity until the year before his death, at which time he moved to Kentucky. While serving as a Circuit Court Judge Benjamin was known for his eloquence. When Lewis Preston Summers wrote the History of Southwest Virginia at the turn of the century he noted that "persons now living make the statement that citizens of Abingdon would close their business houses and crowd the courthouse on the first day of his court to hear him deliver his charge to the grand jury".3 |
| Description | | Benjamin was an imposing figure, standing six feet four inches tall, with broad shoulders and a striking appearance.3 |
| Residence | 1844 | In August 1845 Benjamin corresponded with the historian Lyman Draper. At that time he was living on a farm near Jonesville in Lee County.3 |
| Migration | 1852 | He moved to a farm in Oldham County, Kentucky, in 1852. |
| Death | 14 Jul 1853 | Benjamin died on 14 Jul 1853 in Oldham County at age 73.3 |
Citations
- [S727] Lewis Preston Summers, History of Southwest Virginia and Washington Co., p. 769.
- [S2124] Mary Kegley, Supplement to Southwest Virginia Tax Assessments, p. 1.
- [S727] Lewis Preston Summers, History of Southwest Virginia and Washington Co., p. 770.