MARSHALL, John, an American jurist, born
in Fauquier co., Va., Sept. 24, 1755, died in
Philadelphia, July 6, 1835. He was the eldest
of 15 children of Col. Thomas Marshall, who
signalized himself during the revolution, especially at the battle of Brandywine. The maiden name of his mother was Mary Keith. Col. Marshall was a gentleman of culture, and devoted himself personally to the training of his children. John thus obtained a strong love of English literature, especially for poetry and history. At the age of 12 he knew by heart a large portion of Pope's writings, and was familiar with Milton, Shakespeare, and Dryden. At the age of 14 he was sent to school at Westmoreland, where James Monroe was one of his fellow students. Returning home at the end of a year, he resumed his studies under the direction of a clergyman. His hours were still largely devoted to his favorite poets, and for many years he was full of dreamy romance and poetical enthusiasm. Field sports and athletic exercises in the open air were also habitual with him. He commenced the study of law at the age of 18; but the impending struggle with Great Britain drew him away from his books before he had obtained a license to practise. In 1775 he joined a military company, and when news came of the battle of Lexington, and the march of Patrick Henry upon Williamsburg, he addressed the company in eloquent terms, urging them to prepare for every emergency. After the flight of Dunmore he took part with his regiment, of which his father was major, in the battle of Great Bridge. Marshall was lieutenant of the flanking party which advanced in face of a murderous discharge from the enemy posted on the causeway, and terminated the engagement. His company was the “Culpeper minutemen,” who wore green hunting shirts with “Liberty or Death” in white letters on the bosom, and whose banner displayed a coiled rattlesnake, with the motto, “Don't tread on me.” In July, 1776, he was made lieutenant in the 11th Virginia regiment, on continental service, and marched to the north. In May, 1777, he was promoted to a captaincy. From the time of his entrance into the army to the close of 1779, Marshall was in active service. He took part in the engagement at Iron Hill, and in the battles of Brandywine, Germantown, and Monmouth. He shared the hardships and sufferings of the troops at Valley Forge with unvarying good humor and sanguine hopefulness. At this period he acted frequently as deputy judge advocate, and secured the warm regard of Washington. In the winter of 1779 he was sent to Virginia to take command of a new corps to be raised by the legislature. While this subject was under discussion, he attended a course of law lectures