Samuel Chilton

Samuel Chilton (September 7, 1804  January 14, 1867) was a 19th-century politician and lawyer from Virginia.

Samuel Chilton
BornSeptember 7, 1804
DiedJanuary 14, 1867(1867-01-14) (aged 62)
OccupationPolitician, lawyer
Spouse(s)Isabella R. Brooke (1832 - 1867, his death)
Children5

Biography

Chilton's grave in the family plot at Warrenton Cemetery.

Born in Warrenton, Virginia, Chilton moved to Missouri with his family as a child and attended private school there. He studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1826, commencing practice back in Warrenton. He got involved in politics and was elected a Whig to the United States House of Representatives in 1842 when he narrowly defeated William "Extra Billy" Smith following a redistricting. Chilton served one term from 1843 to 1845, during which he advocated abolishing imprisonment for debt. Afterward, he returned to practicing law and was a delegate to the Virginia Constitutional Convention from 1850 to 1851. At the convention he proposed a key compromise on legislative apportionment.

Chilton moved to Washington, D.C., by 1853 and became a member of American Party, or Know-Nothings. In 1859 he was appointed as a defense attorney for abolitionist John Brown after his previous defense attorneys advocated that the defendant advance a plea of insanity as his defense.

Chilton died in Warrenton on January 14, 1867 and was interred there at Warrenton Cemetery.

Sources

    • John T. Kneebone et al., eds., Dictionary of Virginia Biography (Richmond: The Library of Virginia, 1998- ), 3:217-218. ISBN 0-88490-206-4.
    • Death date in obituary, Warrenton True Index, 12, January 19, 1867.
    • "John Brown Trial: 1859 - Brown's Lawyers Search For A Defense," Law Library - American Law and Legal Information, http://law.jrank.org/pages/2558/John-Brown-Trial-1859-Brown-s-Lawyers-Search-Defense.html (accessed December 14, 2009).
    U.S. House of Representatives
    Preceded by
    William "Extra Billy" Smith
    Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
    from Virginia's 9th congressional district

    March 4, 1843 March 3, 1845
    Succeeded by
    John Pendleton


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