Elliott M. Braxton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Elliott M. Braxton
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 7th district |
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| In office March 4, 1871 – March 3, 1873 |
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| Preceded by | Lewis McKenzie |
| Succeeded by | John T. Harris |
| Member of the Virginia Senate from Richmond, Lancaster, Northumberland and Westmoreland Counties | |
| In office 1852–1857 |
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| Preceded by | District established |
| Succeeded by | Richard L. T. Beale |
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| Born | October 8, 1823 Mathews, Virginia |
| Died | October 2, 1891 (aged 67) Fredericksburg, Virginia |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Profession | Politician, Lawyer |
Elliott Muse Braxton (born October 8, 1823 – died October 2, 1891) was an important politician and lawyer from Virginia in the 1800s. He was the great-grandson of Carter Braxton, who signed the Declaration of Independence.
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Early Life and Education
Elliott Muse Braxton was born in Virginia, either in Mathews County or Fredericksburg, Virginia. His father was Carter Moore Braxton Sr. Sadly, Elliott lost his mother when he was a child. His father later remarried, and Elliott gained a younger half-brother named Carter Moore Braxton.
The Braxton family was well-known in Virginia. They were merchants and plantation owners in King and Queen County. Elliott received a private education, which was common for wealthy families at that time. His father passed away in 1847.
Becoming a Lawyer
Elliott Braxton studied law with his father's help. After his father's death, Elliott continued his studies. In 1849, he officially became a lawyer. He started his own law practice in Richmond County, Virginia, a part of Virginia known as the Northern Neck. His family had a lot of influence in this area.
Serving in the Virginia Senate
In 1851, voters in several Virginia counties elected Braxton to the Virginia Senate. He served as a state senator from 1852 to 1856. During his time in the Senate, he worked on committees dealing with justice and government finances. He decided not to run for re-election in 1857.
Like many wealthy families in Virginia at the time, the Braxton family owned enslaved people. Records show that Elliott Braxton owned an enslaved woman and children in 1850. His father had owned 20 enslaved people in 1840. By 1860, Elliott likely leased out the enslaved people he owned.
Moving to Fredericksburg
By 1860, Elliott Braxton's law practice was not doing very well. He decided to move to Fredericksburg, Virginia. His half-brother, Carter Moore Braxton, was already there. Carter was a civil engineer working on a railroad project. Elliott continued to practice law in Fredericksburg, where he lived with his wife and three young daughters.
Service in the Civil War
When the American Civil War began, Virginia decided to leave the Union. Elliott Braxton joined the Confederate States Army as a private soldier. He then helped form a military company in Stafford County.
- In July 1861, he was elected as a captain of his company.
- His company joined the 30th Virginia Infantry regiment in September 1861.
- He was re-elected Captain in April 1862.
- In August 1862, Braxton was promoted to major. He worked as a quartermaster, which meant he was in charge of supplies for General John R. Cooke's staff.
Post-War Political Career
After the Civil War ended, Braxton went back to Fredericksburg. He opened a law office with a friend he had served with in the war. He was able to regain his legal rights, which had been limited after the war. In 1866, he was elected to Fredericksburg's local council.
In 1870, Braxton ran for Congress from Virginia's 7th district. He was a member of the Conservative Party. He won the election, defeating the Republican candidate, Lewis McKenzie. McKenzie challenged the election results, but a committee decided that Braxton had won, and he took his seat in Congress.
While in Congress, Braxton did not serve on any special committees. However, he often spoke up to defend Virginia's rights and the Conservative Party. He also tried to get money for the Lee family because the government had taken their land, Arlington plantation, during the Civil War. His effort was not successful.
After his time in Congress, Braxton returned to practicing law in Fredericksburg. He began to suffer from heart disease in the 1880s.
Family Life
On November 23, 1854, Elliott Braxton married Anna Maria Marshall. She was the granddaughter of a famous judge named John Marshall. Together, Elliott and Anna had eight children: four daughters and four sons.
Death
Elliott Muse Braxton passed away at his home in Fredericksburg on October 2, 1891. He was buried in the Confederate Cemetery in Fredericksburg.
