| The
succession of continuous members of the Justice Family as Resident
Agents for the heirs of Isaac Bronson spanned a period of more than
sixty years. In 1818, The first appointment in Western North
Carolina to this venture was James Dyer Justice as the Southern
Commissioner to the Speculation Land Company. Both Thomas Butler, son of
James Dyer Justice, and Carr Baylus, grandson of James Dyer, lived in Rutherfordton, North
Carolina while Samuel J., lived in
Hendersonville, North Carolina. George Washington Justice succeeded his
father Samuel as the last agent. |
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Samuel married Mary Etta (Marietta)
Merrill and produced six children, including George Washington Justice.
Marietta died prematurely in 1884 and Samuel remarried to Minnie M.
Fanning Henninger. This second marriage produced two children. Samuel's
primary occupation, like many in his family, was that of surveyor.
Justice and Son, in Henderson County, North Carolina, was an endeavor
with his son George W. for the purpose of surveying. Interesting
anecdotes about the life Samuel J. Justice were located with the
archives of the Hendersonville Historical Society. The French Broad
Hustler, on 11/07/1907, wrote: "S.J. Justice left on Monday for
Burke County (North Carolina) where he has a big survey to make will try
to bag a bear or so, before he returns." This statement implies he
was probably a hunter. Further, the surveying extended beyond Buncombe,
Henderson, and Rutherford Counties to Burke. An obituary that
appeared in the Visitor, later renamed The News of Henderson
County, reported: "Samuel J. Justice died at his home in
Hendersonville Sunday afternoon at 6 o'clock age 67 1/2 years. Mr.
Justice went to Spartanburg about two weeks before his death for a
physical and learned of the serious condition of one of his kidneys and
died about three days after returning home without undergoing surgery.
He had large family connections in this section and was widely and
favorably known......Since 1910, Mr. Justice was General Agent of what
is locally known as the Speculation Land Co. He was physically a sturdy
man and always enjoyed health. In character he was strong and
noble and nothing came between him an his duties to family and
church." |