Thomas Claiborne (1780–1856)

Thomas Claiborne (May 17, 1780 – January 7, 1856) was an American politician and a United States Representative for the state of Tennessee.

Thomas Claiborne
Claiborne in Masonic regalia, ca. 1813
Member of the
United States House of Representatives
from Tennessee's 5th district
In office
March 4, 1817 – March 3, 1819
Preceded byNewton Cannon
Succeeded byNewton Cannon
Member of the Tennessee House of Representatives
In office
1811-1812
Personal details
Born(1780-05-17)May 17, 1780
Brunswick County, Virginia
DiedJanuary 7, 1856(1856-01-07) (aged 75)
Nashville, Tennessee
Political partyDemocratic-Republican
SpouseSarah Martin Lewis Claiborne

Early life and family background

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Son of Mary & Thomas B. Claiborne was born in Brunswick County, Virginia. The Claiborne family was one of the First Families of Virginia since the 17th century, when an earlier Thomas Claiborne sat in the House of Burgesses representing King William County (and he or his son established the historic house at Sweet Hall). This boy's father, who also served as a Virginia legislator and U.S. Congressman, was the fifth generation to hold such political and economic power.

Military officer, planter and lawyer

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This Thomas Claiborne served on the staff of Gen. Andrew Jackson in the Creek War, with the rank of Major. He studied law and was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in Nashville, Tennessee, in 1807. He owned slaves.[1]

Politician

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As a member of Tennessee House of Representatives from 1811 to 1812, fellow delegates elected him as their Speaker, so he presided over the latter sessions. Claiborne also served as a United States Marshal.[2] Elected as a Democratic-Republican to the Fifteenth Congress, Claiborne served from March 4, 1817 to March 3, 1819.[3] He also served as Mayor of Nashville in 1818.

Death

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Claiborne died on January 7, 1856, at the age of 75 years, 235 days. He is interred at Nashville City Cemetery, Nashville, Tennessee.[4]

Personal life

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Claiborne represented Hiram Lodge No. 7 and Cumberland Lodge No. 8, of the Free and Accepted Masons, at the formation of the Grand Lodge of Tennessee on December 27, 1813. He was chosen Most Worshipful Grand Master of Tennessee from 1813 to 1814.[5] He resumed the practice of law in Nashville.

References

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  1. ^ "Congress slaveowners", The Washington Post, 2022-01-13, retrieved 2022-07-04
  2. ^ "Thomas Claiborne". The Nashville Cemetery.org. Retrieved 14 February 2013.
  3. ^ "ThomasClaiborne". Govtrack US Congress. Retrieved 14 February 2013.
  4. ^ "Thomas Claiborne". The Political Graveyard. Retrieved 14 February 2013.
  5. ^ "Thomas Claiborne". The Grand Lodge of Tennessee Free and Accepted Masons. Archived from the original on 17 December 2010. Retrieved 14 February 2013.
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  This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress

Masonic offices
New office Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Tennessee
1813–1814
Succeeded by
Robert Searcy
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Tennessee's 3rd congressional district

1817–1819
Succeeded by