John Banister (lawyer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Colonel John Banister
|
|
|---|---|
Portrait by Gilbert Stuart, 1775
|
|
| Virginia House of Burgesses | |
| In office 1765–1769 |
|
| In office 1772–1775 |
|
| Virginia House of Delegates | |
| In office 1776–1778 |
|
| In office 1781–1784 |
|
| Second Continental Congress | |
| In office March 1778 – September 1779 |
|
| Mayor (1st), Petersburg, Virginia | |
| In office 1785–1786 |
|
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 26, 1734 Hatcher's Run near Petersburg, Virginia, British America |
| Died | September 30, 1788 (aged 53) Battersea Plantation, Petersburg, Virginia |
| Resting place | Hatcher's Run near Petersburg, Virginia |
| Spouses | Elizabeth Munford (married 1755-70; her death), Elizabeth (Patsy) Bland (married 1770-75; her death), |
| Parents |
|
| Education | Middle Temple, London, England |
| Occupation |
|
John Banister (born December 26, 1734 – died September 30, 1788) was an important American leader from Petersburg, Virginia. He was a lawyer and a strong supporter of the American Revolutionary War. He helped create and signed the Articles of Confederation, which was like the first constitution for the United States.
Contents
Early Life and Education
.jpg)
John Banister came from a notable family in Virginia. His father was also named John Banister. His grandfather, John Baptist Banister, was a famous naturalist who studied plants and animals.
John Banister went to school in London, England, at a place called Middle Temple. This was a special school where people learned to become lawyers. He started his studies there in 1753.
Political Career
Banister was a very active politician in Virginia. He served in several important roles during a time of big changes in America.
Serving Virginia
- He was a member of the House of Burgesses from 1765 to 1769, and again from 1772 to 1775. This was the law-making body for the Virginia colony.
- After Virginia became independent, he served in the Virginia House of Delegates from 1776 to 1778, and again from 1781 to 1784.
- He was also part of the Fifth Virginia Convention in 1776. This group made the big decision for Virginia to declare itself an independent state, separate from Great Britain.
National Role
- From 1778 to 1779, Banister was a delegate to the Second Continental Congress. This was the main government body for the American colonies during the Revolutionary War.
- While in the Continental Congress, he helped write the Articles of Confederation. This document was the first attempt to create a united government for the new American states. He signed it on July 8, 1778.
First Mayor of Petersburg
After the war, Banister continued to serve his community. In 1785, he was chosen as the very first mayor of Petersburg, Virginia. He held this position until 1786.
Personal Life and Home
John Banister was known for being well-informed about current events and was a skilled writer. He was married three times during his life.
- His first wife was Elizabeth Munford, whom he married in 1755. She passed away in 1770.
- He then married Elizabeth "Patsy" Bland. She was the daughter of Theodorick Bland of Cawsons and the sister of Colonel Theodorick Bland. Elizabeth also passed away in 1775.
- Four years later, in 1779, Banister married Agan Blair from Williamsburg. Agan is a Scottish name for Anna. She was the daughter of John Blair Sr.
Banister's beautiful home was called Battersea. It was a large country house built in 1768 in Petersburg. It was designed in a special style called Palladian, which was popular at the time. Records from 1782 show that Banister owned a large estate with many horses, cattle, and a chariot.
Revolutionary War Service
John Banister played an active role in the American Revolutionary War.
- He served as a major and later a lieutenant colonel in the Virginia militia's cavalry (horseback soldiers) from 1778 to 1781.
- General George Washington, the leader of the Continental Army, thought highly of Banister. He even wrote a letter to him from Valley Forge, where the army spent a very difficult winter.
- In 1781, Banister helped supply his militia and fought to push the British forces out of Virginia. He lost a lot of his own property during the war. British forces, led by General William Phillips, often stopped at his home in Battersea.
Death
John Banister passed away on September 30, 1788. He was buried in his family's burial ground at Hatcher's Run, which was part of his family's estate in Dinwiddie County, Virginia.
