John Clopton
John Clopton (February 7, 1756 – September 11, 1816) was a United States Representative from Virginia.
John Clopton | |
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Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 23rd district | |
In office March 4, 1813 – September 11, 1816 | |
Preceded by | None (district created) |
Succeeded by | John Tyler |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 22nd district | |
In office March 4, 1803 – March 3, 1813 | |
Preceded by | None (district created) |
Succeeded by | Hugh Nelson |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 13th district | |
In office March 4, 1801 – March 3, 1803 | |
Preceded by | Littleton Tazewell |
Succeeded by | John J. Trigg |
In office March 4, 1795 – March 3, 1799 | |
Preceded by | Samuel Griffin |
Succeeded by | John Marshall |
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates from New Kent County | |
In office October 19, 1789 – October 1, 1792 | |
Preceded by | John Dandridge |
Succeeded by | John Dandridge |
Personal details | |
Born | New Kent County, Colony of Virginia, British America | February 7, 1756
Died | September 11, 1816 60) New Kent, Virginia, U.S. | (aged
Political party | Democratic-Republican |
Spouse(s) | Sarah Bacon |
Alma mater | College of Philadelphia |
Military service | |
Allegiance | ![]() |
Branch/service | Virginia Militia |
Rank | Captain |
Battles/wars | American Revolutionary War |
Early life and education
John Clopton was born in St. Peter's Parish, near Tunstall, New Kent County in the Colony of Virginia on February 7, 1756. His father was William Clopton (1618–1698) and his mother was Elizabeth Dorrell Ford (1727–1785). He graduated from the College of Philadelphia (now the University of Pennsylvania) in 1776. He studied law, was admitted to the bar and practiced.
Career
He served as first lieutenant and as captain in the Virginia militia during the American Revolutionary War and was wounded at the Battle of Brandywine. Clopton was a member of the Virginia House of Delegates from 1789 to 1791 and was elected as a Democratic-Republican to the Fourth and Fifth Congresses, serving from March 4, 1795, to March 3, 1799. He was a member of the Virginia Privy Council from 1799 to 1801, and was elected to the Seventh and to the seven succeeding Congresses; during the Tenth Congress, he was chairman of the Committee on Revisal and Unfinished Business.
Clopton was a leading proponent of strict constructionist views in the House, standing as one of the few representatives who opposed the Second Bank of the United States on constitutional grounds. He served from March 4, 1801, until his death near Tunstall on September 11, 1816; interment was in the family burying ground on his plantation. Future President John Tyler was elected to fill the vacancy caused by Clopton's death.
Personal life
He married Sarah Bacon on May 15, 1784, daughter of Edmund Bacon and Elizabeth Edloe. They had several children: Izard (1785–?), Maria L. Adelaide (1788–?), John Bacon (1789–1860), William Edmund (1791–1848), and Sarah Elizabeth (1804–1843).
References
- United States Congress. "John Clopton (id: C000531)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
U.S. House of Representatives | ||
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Preceded by Samuel Griffin |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 13th congressional district 1795–1799 |
Succeeded by John Marshall |
Preceded by Littleton W. Tazewell |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 13th congressional district 1801–1803 |
Succeeded by John J. Trigg |
Preceded by District created |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 22nd congressional district 1803–1813 |
Succeeded by Hugh Nelson |
Preceded by District created |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 23rd congressional district 1813–1816 |
Succeeded by John Tyler |