a4 
himself those indulgences which his charity readily conceded 
to others, was blended with exquisite sympathy and kindli- 
ness. In his remarkable character the two extremes met of 
austerity and geniality; but the sternness was for himself, 
the tenderness was for his fellow-men. 
James Metvitte Gitxiss was born in Georgetown, D. 
C., on the 6th of September, 1811, the oldest son of George 
and Mary (Melville) Gilliss. His father was in the acdean: 
of the United States government, and had been so since its 
transference to this city. The family was originally of Scot- 
tish origin, but had been in this country for several genera- 
tions.* At the age of fifteen years Gilliss entered the mare 
as midshipman, and made his first cruise in the “ Delaware, 
under Captain Downes. Returning after an absence of 
three years, during which he served also in the “ Concord 
and the “ Java,” he passed his examinations with honor, and | 
received in 1831 the grade of passed midshipman. 
Even at this early age the aspirations which guided "= 
whole career began to manifest their influence. In a -_ 
written long years afterwards to his friend Dr. Gerling 
Marburg, he says : — 
* For most of my information regarding Captain Gilliss’s ag 
T am indebted to the Rey. Isaac W. K. Handy, D. D., of Orange a 
Va., who has kindly supplied it to me from the MS. of “ The Ann 
and Memorials of the Handys and their pervighes ”” soon to be pub- 
lished. The line of descent was as follow 
A. Thomas Gilliss, an _ settler of the) Eastern Shore of Mary- 
land and native of Scotlan } 
B. Capt. Thomas Gillis, born at Monokin (now Princess see 
1668, ae 12, married as his third wife Anna, widow of Capt. J 
nd daughter of beleas Dashiell. 
Children by 3d wife : 
7. Joseph. — 
8. Sarah (m. Major Thomas Irving). 
. Tetons jc aoe suet Handy). 
ee 10. Anne (m. John Iry 
