93 



tinued "valuable services" of our friend, co-operating with other pub- 

 lic-spirited citizens — has resulted the noble institution, which is at 

 once an ornament and a benefaction to our metropolis, under the 

 name of the AtherKEum. 



In the autumn of 1814, when a Vandal horde — in a predatory in- 

 cursion to the capitol — had burnt our Senate house, mutilated the 

 classic memorials erected in honour of the gallant dead, destroyed 

 the national library, and were menacing with like operations every 

 accessible city in our land, the flower of the Philadelphia youth, 

 emulous of their revolutionary sires, promptly rallied in defence of 

 our altars and firesides ; and there, in the patriot ranks, we find our 

 friend Dillingham, musket in hand, doing duty as a private soldier in 

 one of the companies of Washington Guards. Being honourably dis- 

 charged at the close of the campaign, he returned to his office, and 

 to the practice of his profession. 



He continued in the city until 1817, when he removed to West 

 Chester, the seat of justice in Chester County, Pennsylvania; where, 

 by his diligence, fidelity, and legal ability, he rapidly advanced 

 toward the head of the bar, among competitors distinguished for 

 talents and professional acumen. He was especially remarked for 

 that exemplary trait in a barrister, of being always well prepared, 

 and ready for trial — so far as depended on himself — when his cause 

 was called on. 



In 1821, he received the appointment of prosecuting attorney for 

 the county; which office he held until the close of the year 1823. 



In the month of May, 1823, he married Christiana, daughter of 

 Joseph H. Brinton, Esq. of Chester County; and thus became 

 identified in feeling and interest with the people among whom he re- 

 sided. He co-operated cordially in all measures propounded for the 

 public benefit; and was a liberal supporter of all their institutions — 

 religious, educational, literary, and scientific. His professional abili- 

 ties becoming generally understood, his services were consequently, 

 put in requisition in nearly every important case within the sphere 

 of his practice. He was employed as solicitor of the Bank of Chester 

 County for upwards of 15 years; was one of the founders, and a 

 principal manager, of the Chester County Athenaeum ; was a Trus- 

 tee of the West Chester Academy for 17 years; and a munificent 

 member of the Chester County Cabinet of Natural Science, for nearly 

 20 years. 



In 1837, he was elected to the State Legislature, where he was 



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