31 Facts About James Barbour

James Barbour was an American politician, planter, and lawyer.

James Barbour served as a delegate from Orange County, Virginia in the Virginia General Assembly and as speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates.

James Barbour was the 18th Governor of Virginia and the first Governor to reside in the current Virginia Governor's Mansion.

James Barbour was the son of Thomas James Barbour and his wife, the former Mary Pendleton Thomas.

James Barbour's grandfather had patented lands in Spotsylvania County in 1731 and 1733, and his uncle of the same name James Barbour served in the Virginia House of Burgesses.

Nonetheless, James Barbour finished his formal education with private tutors and an academy run by James Barbour Waddel at Gordonsville, Virginia.

James Barbour served as deputy sheriff of Orange County beginning in 1792.

James Barbour became known for eloquence, and served on various committees, rising to chairman of several, including the Committee of Privileges and Elections and the Finance Committee.

James Barbour held strong Republican beliefs, similar to his neighbors Jefferson and Madison.

James Barbour vigorously opposed the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798 and used his rhetorical eloquence to support the Virginia Resolutions.

James Barbour later requested that the only inscription on his tombstone be a reference to this Act, affirming his firm belief that society would progress only through education.

In 1811, James Barbour declared his candidacy for the governorship but lost to the incumbent, George William Smith.

James Barbour favored war with Britain, which he viewed as the only way to end British interference with US sovereignty.

James Barbour's father had trained the Orange militia, so the new Governor knew their inadequacies.

Governor James Barbour sought funding for Virginia's militia on February 11,1812, and personally toured the tidewater region most at risk.

In 1814, James Barbour finally convinced the Legislature to approve raising 10,000 troops and placing that militia under Federal control.

James Barbour was the first Governor to inhabit the Virginia Governor's Mansion, designed by Alexander Parris.

On December 1,1814, Virginia's legislators elected James Barbour to succeed Richard Brent in the United States Senate.

Senator Barbour aligned with Senators John C Calhoun and Henry Clay on internal improvements and slavery.

Senator James Barbour proposed a committee on roads and canals, supported the Bonus Bill, and proposed a constitutional amendment to grant Congress the authority to appropriate money for internal improvements.

Senator James Barbour opposed reducing the national army, supported a bill abolishing imprisonment for debts, and introduced the Navigation Act of 1818.

James Barbour hoped this would encourage the British to open their ports.

The 16th Congress, over which James Barbour presided, adopted the Missouri Compromise on slavery.

Johnson and James Barbour would become quick friends following James Barbour's efforts.

Randolph opposed the national bank and the Missouri Compromise of 1820 that James Barbour had helped Clay pass.

James Barbour soon came into conflict with Governor George Troup of Georgia, who wanted to evict Creek Indians from 5 million acres of land.

Critics claimed James Barbour sought a "harbor in the storm" from the upcoming election.

James Barbour became chairman of the 1839 Whig Party convention in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, which nominated Virginia-born William Henry Harrison for President.

James Barbour presented an imposing appearance, with a striking face, long, shaggy eyebrows, and head covered with silvery flowing locks; with a majestic and sonorous voice, he filled one's conception of a Roman Senator in the last days of the Republic.

Senator James Barbour was buried in the family cemetery on the estate.

The James Barbour family remained politically powerful in that area of Virginia for the rest of the century, despite no longer enslaving people after the American Civil War.