History of Newington, (Fairfax County) Virginia United States of America

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Carter Braxton, statesman, was born at Newington, Va., Sept. 10, 1736. His father was wealthy. His mother was the daughter of one of the presidents of the Royal council of Virginia. He graduated at William and Mary college, and at the age of nineteen married Judith Robinson. He was one of the richest men in the county of King and Queen. He lost his wife within two years of his marriage, and went to England, where he remained until 1760. The year following he married the daughter of Richard Corbin of Lanneville, royal receiver-general of the customs of Virginia. In 1765 he took his seat in the house of burgesses. He was present when Patrick Henry presented his resolutions on the stamp act, and, stirred by the fiery eloquence of that impetuous orator, unhesitatingly supported them. He was a member of the Virginia convention in 1769, and when it was suddenly dissolved by Lord Botetourt, signed the non-importation agreement. Lord Botetourt died in 1770, and until the arrival of his successor, Braxton acted as high sheriff of the country, but refused to serve under Lord Dunmore. In 1774 Dunmore dissolved the assembly, and Braxton was one of the eighty-nine protesting members who recommended the general convention at Williamsburg, which was held in August, 1774, at which delegates were elected to the Continental Congress. Mr. Braxton was chosen, Dec. 15, 1775, delegate to Congress, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Peyton Randolph, and as such voted for and signed the Declaration of Independence. He was in Congress only one session, leaving Aug. 11, 1776, Virginia having voted to reduce the number of delegates from seven to five. He resumed his seat in the Virginia legislature and held it until 1786, when he was appointed as member of the council of state, and continued as such until 1791. After an interval of two years, he was again elected to the executive council, and served until his death. He became largely engaged in commerce, and during the revolution his ships were captured, and his last years were embittered by financial troubles. He died in Richmond, Va., Oct. 10, 1797.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

History of Newington, (Fairfax County) Virginia

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