Carter Braxton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Carter Braxton
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Assumed portrait of Braxton
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| Born | September 10, 1736 |
| Died | October 10, 1797 (aged 61) |
| Alma mater | College of William and Mary |
| Known for | signer of the United States Declaration of Independence |
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Carter Braxton (born September 10, 1736 – died October 10, 1797) was an important figure in early American history. He was one of the Founding Fathers and famously signed the United States Declaration of Independence. Braxton was also a successful merchant and a large landowner in Virginia. He served in Virginia's government for over 25 years, working alongside other influential leaders.
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Carter Braxton's Early Life
Carter Braxton was born on September 10, 1736, at Newington Plantation in King and Queen County, Virginia. Sadly, his mother passed away shortly after his birth.
His family was very wealthy and powerful. His grandfather, Robert "King" Carter, was one of the richest landowners in Virginia. Carter's paternal grandfather, George Braxton, Sr., also owned a lot of land and was involved in politics. He was elected to the House of Burgesses, which was Virginia's law-making body.
Carter Braxton followed in his family's footsteps. He attended the College of William & Mary. At 19, he married Judith Robinson, who came from a wealthy family. However, she died while giving birth to their daughter, leaving him with two young daughters, Mary and Judith.
After this, Braxton traveled to England for two years. When he returned in 1760, he bought Chericoke plantation. He built a large house there in 1767. He married again to Elizabeth Corbin, who also came from a prominent family.
Business and Land Ownership
When his elder brother passed away in 1761, Carter Braxton inherited more family land. Even with some debts, he owned a lot of property. By the 1770s, he had over 12,000 acres of land and many enslaved people.
Braxton also became a merchant, trading goods between the West Indies and the American colonies. He worked with businesses in New York and Philadelphia. He also tried to buy enslaved people from others for his plantations. He owned many enslaved people on his various properties.
After the Revolutionary War, Braxton still owned a significant amount of land and enslaved people. However, he faced financial difficulties due to the war. By the end of his life, he had sold or given away most of his enslaved people and much of his land.
Early Political Career
Braxton began his long political career in 1761, representing King William County in the House of Burgesses. He also served as the sheriff of King William County, a leader in the local militia, and a church official.
He was known as a moderate politician. He signed the First Virginia Association, which protested British taxes like the Townshend duties. In 1774, he joined the Fourth Virginia Association, which helped organize local safety committees and volunteer militias.
When the British governor, Lord Dunmore, took the colony's gunpowder, Braxton helped calm the situation. He worked with Patrick Henry and his father-in-law to prevent a bigger crisis.
A Moderate Revolutionary Leader
Carter Braxton was seen as a moderate during the American Revolution. He was not a Loyalist (someone who supported the British King), but he was cautious about breaking away from Britain too quickly. He served in the House of Burgesses many times and was a delegate to the Virginia Convention.
In 1774, Braxton joined Virginia's Committee of Safety. This group helped organize the colonies against British rule.
When Peyton Randolph died in 1775, Braxton was chosen to take his place in the Continental Congress. He served there from February to August 1776. During this time, he signed the Declaration of Independence. Even though he signed it, he had initially thought it was too soon to declare independence. He explained his views in letters to his uncle.
After his time in the Continental Congress, Braxton returned to the House of Burgesses. Sadly, his home at Chericoke burned down in 1776, so he moved his family to Grove House. He continued to serve in the Virginia legislature, often focusing on issues like debt and taxes.
Financial Challenges and Later Life
Braxton invested a lot of his money in the American Revolution. He loaned money to the cause and funded shipping and privateering (where private ships attacked enemy ships). He lost about half of the 14 ships he owned. The British also destroyed some of his plantations during the war.
He faced significant debts throughout his life, partly from his family's estates and partly from his own business dealings. He also had money owed to him by the Continental Congress and other businessmen, which were slow to be repaid.
In 1786, Braxton sold a plantation and moved to a smaller home in Richmond. This helped him pay off some of his debts. He also sued Robert Morris for money he was owed, a lawsuit that lasted for many years.
In 1785 and again in 1794, Braxton was elected to the Council of State. This was a paid position that handled executive duties for Virginia. He moved to Richmond, which had become the state capital.
Death and Legacy
Carter Braxton passed away at his home in Richmond on October 10, 1797, at the age of 61. He had suffered from strokes in his final years. His wife lived until 1814.
Braxton had many children with his second wife, in addition to his two daughters from his first marriage. Many of his descendants became notable figures. Some of his grandsons fought for the Confederate Army during the Civil War. These included Carter Moore Braxton and Elliott Muse Braxton, who later served in Congress. John W. Stevenson of Kentucky, a great-grandson, became a U.S. Representative, governor, and U.S. Senator.
Carter Braxton may have been buried at Chericoke, his plantation. Although his house burned down in 1776, he rebuilt it. When family graves were moved to Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond in 1910, his grave could not be found, but a monument was placed for him.
Braxton County, West Virginia, was named in his honor. Also, a World War II Liberty Ship and a freighter were named the SS Carter Braxton in his memory.
Images for kids
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Carter Braxton's signature
See also
Other sources
- Charles Rappleye, Sons of Providence: The Brown Brothers, the Slave Trade, and the American Revolution (Simon & Schuster, New York, 2006)
- Biographical sketch at the National Park Service
