DONNELL, Richard Spaight, (grandson of Richard Dobbs Spaight), a Representative from North Carolina; born in New Bern, N.C., September 20, 1820; attended New Bern Academy and Yale College; was graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1839; studied law; was admitted to the bar in 1840 and commenced practice in New Bern, N.C.; elected as a Whig to the Thirtieth Congress (March 4, 1847-March 3, 1849); was not a candidate for renomination in 1848; resumed the practice of law in Washington, N.C.; delegate to the State secession convention in 1861 and to the State constitutional convention in 1865; member of the State house of commons in 1862 and 1864, and served as speaker; died in New Bern, N.C., June 3, 1867; interment in Cedar Grove Cemetery.
(Source: Biographical Directory of the United States 1774-present.)