Bishop Joseph Blount Cheshire

Photograph by Bayard Wootten
BISHOP JOSEPH BLOUNT CHESHIRE
From a portrait by Mrs. Arthur Nash, in the possession of Miss Sarah Cheshire,
Raleigh, North Carolina.

Foreword

By Edwin A. Penick,Bishop of North Carolina

One of the many characteristics for which Bishop Cheshireis remembered by his friends and admirers was hisuncompromising adherence to the last letter of truth.An inaccurate or careless remark often brought forthfrom him a startling correction. His own historical paperswere loyal to such facts as patient research could discover.His official documents were models of lucidityand precision. His counsel was penetrating and true andbracing like fresh air in a stuffy room. His conversation,particularly when he was describing the very humantraits of men and women he had known, was full of delightfulsurprises because of his breathtaking forthrightness.He even carried in his pocketbook an exact paperpattern of a huge mountain trout he once caught as documentaryevidence of his best fish story.

This characteristic of Bishop Cheshire must have beenin the author's mind when he wrote the following pages.I believe that the good Bishop would approve this biographyfor its restraint and disciplined faithfulness to therecord of a true life.

Preface

From my earliest memories I can recall the annual visitsof Bishop Cheshire to the home of my parents. As veryyoung boys my brothers and I were fond of looking athim, for with his flowing white beard and rather stockyfigure, he appeared a perfect embodiment of Santa Claus.He readily gained our confidence with his frank andopen manner and his keen understanding of the sort ofthings children were interested in. As I grew older hewon my complete affection and admiration. With hismany relatives and friends throughout North Carolina, Ifelt particularly honored when he wrote me letters fromEngland during his visit there in 1920. The multiplicityof such personal attentions was one of his characteristicswhich gained for him the lasting affection of his people.

Although I have felt inadequate to the task of writingBishop Cheshire's life, I have found the work a labor oflove and a distinct privilege. Some persons will undoubtedlybe disappointed that more stories of and aboutthe Bishop have not been included. The use of many ofhis anecdotes has purposefully been avoided, since mostof them are much more delightfully told by the Bishophimself in his charming volume of reminiscences, Nonnulla.My primary object has been to present his accomplishments...