Background
He was born on January 4, 1797 at his father's homestead "Contention" in Goochland County, Virginia, United States. He was the son of James and Susanna (Rose) Pleasants.
He was born on January 4, 1797 at his father's homestead "Contention" in Goochland County, Virginia, United States. He was the son of James and Susanna (Rose) Pleasants.
He was educated at the College of William and Mary, where he was graduated in 1817.
After completing his study of law, he entered the practice of the profession at Lynchburg, but soon abandoned it to become a journalist.
In 1823 he was acting as editor of the Lynchburg Virginian. The following year he removed to Richmond and on January 27, 1824, appeared the first number of the Richmond Whig, founded by Pleasants and edited by him for more than twenty years. Under his management it became the leading exponent of Whig doctrines in Virginia and the able antagonist of the Democratic Enquirer, edited by Thomas Ritchie.
In 1841 Pleasants collaborated with Edward W. Johnston and John Woodson in the establishment of the Washington Independent, but, with some interruptions, he continued his editorial activities in connection with the Whig, which on July 19, 1841, was transformed into a daily paper. During 1846, while the Enquirer was under the management of Thomas Ritchie's sons, an article appeared in that journal accusing Pleasants of abolitionist leanings. This was a serious matter, especially in view of the fact that a duel had only recently been averted between the Whig editor and one of the Ritchie brothers.
Pleasants sent word to Thomas Ritchie, Jr. , that he would meet him at a designated time and place, equipped with side arms only. It appears that the challenger disapproved of dueling, but had decided that the issue could no longer be averted with honor. Appearing at the appointed place but lightly armed, he advanced to within striking distance of his antagonist, apparently making only a perfunctory attempt to defend himself. He fell with several wounds, but lived for two days. The power of the Whig departed with him.
Unlike so many leaders of his day, Pleasants stuck to his occupation with single-minded devotion.
John Hampden Pleasants is known as the editor and founder of the Richmond Whig, a daily Confederate newspaper. As an editor, he was not only master of the vigorous and vitriolic style of his day, but was an effective political strategist, versed in the art of sowing discord among the enemy while keeping his own forces intact. While he was active in matters of civic interest, and took a vigorous part in the attempt to develop internal improvements within his state.
He had been twice married: first, to Ann Irving; and second, to Mary Massie. His only son, James, became a prominent lawyer of Richmond, and his only daughter, Ann Eliza, married Douglas H. Gordon.
