Nathaniel Claiborne facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Nathaniel Claiborne
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 7th district
In office March 4, 1825 – March 3, 1837
Preceded by	Jabez Leftwich
Succeeded by	Archibald Stuart
Chair of the Committee on Elections
In office March 4, 1831 – March 3, 1837
Preceded by	Willis Alston
Succeeded by	Andrew Buchanan
Member of the Virginia Senate from Franklin, Patrick, Henry and Pittsylvania Counties
In office December 3, 1821–December 2, 1825
Preceded by	George Hairston, Jr.
Succeeded by	Joseph Martin, Jr.
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates from Franklin County
In office December 3, 1810 – 1811
Preceded by	Robert Innes
Succeeded by	Robert Innes
Personal details
Born	November 14, 1777 Chesterfield, Virginia
Died	August 15, 1859(1859-08-15) (aged 81) Rocky Mount, Virginia
Political party	Anti-Jacksonian (after 1835)
Other political affiliations	Jacksonian (before 1835)
Occupation	planter

Nathaniel Herbert Claiborne (born November 14, 1777 – died August 15, 1859) was an important figure in Virginia during the 1800s. He was a lawyer and a planter, which means he owned and managed a large farm. He was also a politician who served in the Virginia General Assembly (Virginia's state legislature) and later in the United States House of Representatives from 1825 to 1837.

Early Life and Family Connections

Nathaniel Claiborne was born in Chesterfield, Virginia. His parents were Mary Leigh Claiborne and William Claiborne. His family was one of the "First Families of Virginia", meaning they had been important in the state for a long time.

Nathaniel's family history goes back to William Claiborne (1600–1677). This ancestor came from England and became a key political and military leader in the Virginia Colony.

Nathaniel had several brothers and sisters. His older brother, William C. C. Claiborne, also became a famous politician. He served as Governor of Louisiana and was a U.S. Senator. Their uncle, Thomas Claiborne, was also a U.S. Congressman.

Nathaniel and his brothers received a good private education. They studied subjects like Latin and Greek, which was common for boys from wealthy families at the time. Nathaniel also studied law, preparing him for his future career.

A Career in Law and Politics

By 1798, Nathaniel Claiborne became a lawyer in Virginia. He started his practice in Lee County, Virginia, which was a new area on the western edge of the state.

In 1801, he moved to Franklin County, Virginia. There, he was elected as the Commonwealth's attorney, which is like a prosecutor. He was re-elected many times before he decided to join the state legislature in 1810. He also served as a captain in the local militia starting in 1803.

Establishing Claybrook Plantation

Between 1802 and 1806, Claiborne bought about 800 acres of land in Franklin County. He built a large farm there, which he named "Claybrook." This became his main home for the rest of his life. Like many large farms in the South at that time, Claybrook was worked by enslaved people. Records show he owned 19 enslaved people in 1810, and continued to own enslaved people throughout his life.

Serving in the Virginia Legislature

In 1809, voters in Franklin County elected Claiborne to the Virginia House of Delegates. This was part of the state's law-making body. He served there until 1812. During this time, he worked on committees related to courts and justice. He also voted on important financial matters, like whether to support a national bank.

During the War of 1812, Claiborne was chosen to be part of Virginia's Council of State. This group helped the Governor manage the state during the war. He also wrote articles about the war, which he later put into a book called Notes on the War in the South.

In 1818, Claiborne helped decide where the new University of Virginia would be built. He was even offered a teaching job there, but he chose not to take it.

In 1821, voters from Franklin and nearby counties elected him to the Virginia State Senate. He served one term there, from 1821 to 1825.

Becoming a U.S. Congressman

After serving in the state legislature, Claiborne decided to run for the United States House of Representatives. He first lost an election in 1823. However, two years later, he ran again and won! He served as a U.S. Congressman from 1825 to 1837.

During his time in Congress, he became the chairman of the United States House Committee on Elections. This committee was in charge of making sure elections were fair. He held this important role from 1831 to 1837. In 1836, he lost his re-election bid and returned to his home in Rocky Mount, Virginia.

Personal Life and Family Legacy

In 1815, Nathaniel Claiborne married Elizabeth Archer Binford. They had eleven children together: six daughters and five sons.

One of their sons, Nathaniel C. Claiborne, followed in his father's footsteps and became involved in politics. He served in Virginia and later in Missouri. Other sons also had notable careers. William Patrick Claiborne served in the Confederate Army, and Thomas Binford Claiborne became a judge.

Nathaniel Claiborne's family continued to be involved in public life for generations. His relatives include John Francis Hamtramck Claiborne, who was his nephew, and later figures like Lindy Boggs and Claiborne Pell, who were also politicians.

Later Years and Passing

Nathaniel Claiborne passed away on August 15, 1859, near Rocky Mount, Virginia. He was buried in the family cemetery on his "Claybrook" estate, the home he had built and lived in for most of his life.

Election Results

Nathaniel Claiborne participated in several elections for the U.S. House of Representatives:

• 1825: He was elected without anyone running against him.
• 1827: He was re-elected with 67.71% of the votes, defeating William Campbell.
• 1829: He was re-elected without anyone running against him.
• 1831: He was re-elected without anyone running against him.
• 1833: He was re-elected without anyone running against him.
• 1835: He was re-elected with 51.31% of the votes, defeating Alexander H.H. Stuart.
• 1837: He lost his re-election attempt.