John Clopton

John Clopton (February 7, 1756 – September 11, 1816) was a United States Representative from Virginia.

For other people named John Clopton, see John Clopton (disambiguation).

John Clopton
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 23rd district
In office March 4, 1813 – September 11, 1816
Preceded by	None (district created)
Succeeded by	John Tyler
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 22nd district
In office March 4, 1803 – March 3, 1813
Preceded by	None (district created)
Succeeded by	Hugh Nelson
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 13th district
In office March 4, 1801 – March 3, 1803
Preceded by	Littleton Tazewell
Succeeded by	John J. Trigg
In office March 4, 1795 – March 3, 1799
Preceded by	Samuel Griffin
Succeeded by	John Marshall
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates from New Kent County
In office October 19, 1789 – October 1, 1792
Preceded by	John Dandridge
Succeeded by	John Dandridge
Personal details
Born	(1756-02-07)February 7, 1756 New Kent County, Colony of Virginia, British America
Died	September 11, 1816(1816-09-11) (aged 60) New Kent, Virginia, U.S.
Political party	Democratic-Republican
Spouse(s)	Sarah Bacon
Alma mater	College of Philadelphia
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	Virginia Militia
Rank	Captain
Battles/wars	American Revolutionary War

Early life and education

John Clopton was born in St. Peter's Parish, near Tunstall, New Kent County, Virginia on 7 February 1756. His father was William Clopton (1618–1698) and his mother was Elizabeth Dorrell Ford (1727–1785). He graduated from the College of Philadelphia (now the University of Pennsylvania) in 1776. He studied law, was admitted to the bar and practiced.

Career

He served as first lieutenant and as captain in the Virginia militia during the American Revolutionary War and was wounded at the Battle of Brandywine. Clopton was a member of the Virginia House of Delegates from 1789 to 1791 and was elected as a Democratic-Republican to the Fourth and Fifth Congresses, serving from March 4, 1795, to March 3, 1799. He was a member of the Virginia Privy Council from 1799 to 1801, and was elected to the Seventh and to the seven succeeding Congresses; during the Tenth Congress, he was chairman of the Committee on Revisal and Unfinished Business.

Clopton was a leading proponent of strict constructionist views in the House, standing as one of the few representatives who opposed the Second Bank of the United States on constitutional grounds. He served from March 4, 1801, until his death near Tunstall on September 11, 1816; interment was in the family burying ground on his plantation. Future President John Tyler was elected to fill the vacancy caused by Clopton's death.

Personal life

He married Sarah Bacon on May 15, 1784, daughter of Edmund Bacon and Elizabeth Edloe. They had several children: Izard (1785–?), Maria L. Adelaide (1788–?), John Bacon (1789–1860), William Edmund (1791–1848), and Sarah Elizabeth (1804–1843).

See also

• List of United States Congress members who died in office (1790–1899)

References

• United States Congress. "John Clopton (id: C000531)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.

U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Samuel Griffin	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 13th congressional district 1795–1799	Succeeded by John Marshall
Preceded by Littleton W. Tazewell	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 13th congressional district 1801–1803	Succeeded by John J. Trigg
Preceded by District created	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 22nd congressional district 1803–1813	Succeeded by Hugh Nelson
Preceded by District created	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 23rd congressional district 1813–1816	Succeeded by John Tyler