John M. Patton
John Mercer Patton | |
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![]() Portrait of John Mercer Patton | |
Acting Governor of Virginia | |
In office 20 March 1841 – 31 March 1841 | |
Preceded by | Thomas W. Gilmer |
Succeeded by | John Rutherfoord |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 13th district | |
In office March 4, 1833 – April 7, 1838 | |
Preceded by | Joseph Chinn |
Succeeded by | Linn Banks |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 11th district | |
In office November 25, 1830 – March 3, 1833 | |
Preceded by | Philip P. Barbour |
Succeeded by | Andrew Stevenson |
Personal details | |
Born |
August 10, 1797 Fredericksburg, Virginia |
Died |
October 29, 1858 61) Richmond, Virginia | (aged
Political party | Democratic |
Relations |
George S. Patton, Sr. (son) Waller T. Patton (son) George S. Patton, Jr. (greatgrandson) |
John Mercer Patton (August 10, 1797 – October 29, 1858) was a nineteenth-century politician and lawyer from Virginia. Patton served in the United States House of Representatives representing two different Virginia Districts, and was the acting governor of Virginia for twelve days in 1841.
Biography
Patton was born in Fredericksburg, Virginia to Robert Patton, a Scottish immigrant, and Ann Gordon Mercer, daughter of General Hugh Mercer.[1] Patton attended Princeton University and graduated from the medical department at the University of Pennsylvania in 1818. He went on to study law and was admitted to the bar, commencing practice in Fredericksburg.
Patton was elected a Jacksonian and Democrat to the United States House of Representatives originally to fill a vacancy in 1830, serving until 1838. There, he served as chairman of the Committee on Territories from 1835 to 1839.[2] After leaving Congress, Patton was appointed the senior councilor of the Virginia Council of State and therefore the Lieutenant Governor of Virginia.[1] Following the resignation of Governor Thomas W. Gilmer in 1841, Patton served as Acting Governor of Virginia for twelve days, until the end of his term on March 31, 1841.
![](../I/m/Shockoe_Hill_Cemetery_-_John_Mercer_Patton.jpg)
Patton returned to the private practice of law, including work on a revision of the Code of Virginia.[1] He continued to practice law until his death in Richmond, Virginia on October 29, 1858. He was interred at Shockoe Hill Cemetery.
Patton was the father of Confederate officers George S. Patton, Sr. and Waller T. Patton and the great-grandfather of WWII general George S. Patton Jr.
References
- 1 2 3 Tyler, Lyon Gardiner (1915). Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography; Volume 2. Lewis Historical Publishing Company. p. 53.
- ↑ "PATTON, John Mercer, (1797 - 1858)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
External links
- John M. Patton at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- John M. Patton at Find A Grave
United States House of Representatives | ||
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Preceded by Philip P. Barbour |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 11th congressional district November 25, 1830 – March 4, 1833 |
Succeeded by Andrew Stevenson |
Preceded by Joseph Chinn |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 13th congressional district March 4, 1833 – April 7, 1838 (obsolete district) |
Succeeded by Linn Banks |
Political offices | ||
Preceded by Thomas W. Gilmer Governor |
Acting Governor of Virginia March 20, 1841 – March 31, 1841 |
Succeeded by John Rutherfoord Acting Governor |
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