Summary
Abram Trigg (1750 – unknown) was an American politician from Bedford County, Virginia. He fought with the Virginia militia in the Revolutionary War and represented Virginia in the U.S. Congress from 1797 until 1809. He was a slaveholder.[1]
Abram Trigg | |
|---|---|
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 6th district | |
| In office March 4, 1803 – March 3, 1809 | |
| Preceded by | Matthew Clay |
| Succeeded by | Daniel Sheffey |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 4th district | |
| In office March 4, 1797 – March 3, 1803 | |
| Preceded by | Francis Preston |
| Succeeded by | David Holmes |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1750 New London, Virginia |
| Died | Unknown "Buchanan's Bottom", Montgomery County, Virginia |
| Resting place | "Buchanan’s Bottom", Montgomery County, Virginia |
| Political party | Democratic-Republican |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | Virginia state militia |
| Rank | General |
| Battles/wars | American Revolutionary War |
Family life edit
Abram was born on his father's farm near New London in Lunenburg County, Virginia. He was one of the eight children of William Trigg (1716–1773) and Mary (Johns) Trigg (1720–1773). His father, William served as a judge in Bedford County (which was formed from part of Lunenburg County in 1754) for many years. His brother, John, would serve with him in congress. In 1779 Abram married Susannah Ingles, daughter of William Ingles and Mary Draper Ingles, who escaped from Indian captivity and walked 800 miles to return to her home in 1755.
Career edit
He completed academic studies, studied law and was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in Montgomery County, Virginia. He lived on his estate, "Buchanan's Bottom", on the New River and held local offices, such as clerk and judge, and various other offices in Montgomery County. Abram married Susanna Ingles, daughter of William Ingles, and had ten children.[2] He served in the Revolutionary War as lieutenant colonel of militia in 1782 and later as general of militia in Virginia.
Trigg was a delegate to the Virginia ratification convention of 1788, and voted with Patrick Henry and the Anti-federalists against ratification of the United States Constitution.[3] He was elected as a Republican to the Fifth and to the five succeeding Congresses (March 4, 1797 – March 3, 1809). He died and was buried on the family estate, death date unknown.
Electoral history edit
- 1797; Trigg was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives unopposed.
- 1799; Trigg was re-elected with 88.47% of the vote, defeating Federalist William Preston.
- 1801; Trigg was re-elected unopposed.
- 1803; Trigg was re-elected unopposed.
- 1805; Trigg was re-elected unopposed.
- 1807; Trigg was re-elected defeating Federalist Daniel Sheffey.
References edit
- United States Congress. "Abram Trigg (id: T000368)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved on 2009-02-26
- ^ Weil, Julie Zauzmer; Blanco, Adrian; Dominguez, Leo (January 20, 2022). "More than 1,700 congressmen once enslaved Black people. This is who they were, and how they shaped the nation". Washington Post. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
- ^ Hale, John P. Trans-Allegheny Pioneers (West Virginia and Ohio): Historical Sketches of the First White Settlers West of the Alleghenies, 1748 and After. (1886) Heritage Books, reprint, 2009.
- ^ Elliot, Jonathan, The Debates in the Several State Conventions on the Adoption of the Federal Constitution... (Philadelphia: Lippincott, 1891), 3:665.