| 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 by | Newton Cannon |
| Succeeded by | Newton Cannon |
| Member of the Tennessee House of Representatives | |
| In office 1811-1812 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1780-05-17)May 17, 1780 Brunswick County, Virginia |
| Died | January 7, 1856(1856-01-07) (aged 75) Nashville, Tennessee |
| Political party | Democratic-Republican |
| Spouse | Sarah Martin Lewis Claiborne |
Thomas Claiborne (May 17, 1780 – January 7, 1856) was an American politician and a United States Representative for the state of Tennessee.
Early life and family background
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
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.
Politician
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. Elected as a Democratic-Republican to the Fifteenth Congress, Claiborne served from March 4, 1817 to March 3, 1819. He also served as Mayor of Nashville in 1818.
Death
Claiborne died on January 7, 1856, at the age of 75 years, 235 days. He is interred at Nashville City Cemetery, Nashville, Tennessee.
Personal life
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. He resumed the practice of law in Nashville.
References
- "Congress slaveowners", The Washington Post, 2022-01-13, retrieved 2022-07-04
- "Thomas Claiborne". The Nashville Cemetery.org. Retrieved 14 February 2013.
- "ThomasClaiborne". Govtrack US Congress. Retrieved 14 February 2013.
- "Thomas Claiborne". The Political Graveyard. Retrieved 14 February 2013.
- "Thomas Claiborne". The Grand Lodge of Tennessee Free and Accepted Masons. Archived from the original on 17 December 2010. Retrieved 14 February 2013.
External links
- United States Congress. "Thomas Claiborne (id: C000407)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
- Thomas Claiborne at Find a Grave
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 byRobert Searcy |
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
| Preceded byNewton Cannon | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Tennessee's 3rd congressional district 1817–1819 |
Succeeded byNewton Cannon |
- 1780 births
- 1856 deaths
- People from Brunswick County, Virginia
- Claiborne family
- American people of English descent
- Democratic-Republican Party members of the United States House of Representatives
- Mayors of Nashville, Tennessee
- Grand masters of the Grand Lodge of Tennessee
- Tennessee lawyers
- American slave owners
- 19th-century members of the Tennessee General Assembly
- 19th-century members of the United States House of Representatives