Abram Trigg

Abram Trigg
Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromVirginia's6thdistrict
In office March 4, 1803 – March 3, 1809
Preceded by	Matthew Clay
Succeeded by	Daniel Sheffey
Member of theU.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's4thdistrict
In office March 4, 1797 – March 3, 1803
Preceded by	Francis Preston
Succeeded by	David Holmes
Personal details
Born	1750 New London,Virginia
Died	Unknown "Buchanan's Bottom",Montgomery County, Virginia
Resting place	"Buchanan’s Bottom", Montgomery County, Virginia
Political party	Democratic-Republican
Military service
Branch/service	Virginia state militia
Rank	General
Battles/wars	American Revolutionary War

Abram Trigg(1750 – unknown) was an American planter, lawyer and politician who representedMontgomery County, Virginiain theVirginia Ratifying Conventionand U.S. House of Representatives (1797-1809) after fighting with theVirginia militiain theRevolutionary War.

Early life and family

Abram was born on his father's farm near New London in then vastLunenberg Countyin what was then theColony of Virginia,probably in a part that becameBedford Countyin 1754. He was one of the eight children of William Trigg (1716–1773) and Mary (Johns) Trigg (1720–1773). His father, William served as a judge inBedford County(which was formed from part of Lunenburg County in 1754) for many years. His brother,John,would serve with him in congress. In 1779 Abram married Susannah Ingles, daughter ofWilliam InglesandMary Draper Ingles,who escaped from Indian captivity and walked 800 miles to return to her home in 1755.

Career

He completed academic studies, studied law and was admitted to the bar and commenced practice inMontgomery County, Virginia.He lived on his estate, "Buchanan's Bottom", on theNew Riverand held local offices, such as clerk and judge, and various other offices in Montgomery County. Abram married Susanna Ingles, daughter ofWilliam Ingles,and had ten children.He served in the Revolutionary War as lieutenant colonel of militia in 1782 and later as general of militia in Virginia.

Trigg was a delegate to theVirginia ratification conventionof 1788, and voted withPatrick Henryand theAnti-federalistsagainst ratification of theUnited States Constitution.He was elected as a Republican to the Fifth and to the five succeeding Congresses (March 4, 1797 – March 3, 1809). He died and was buried on the family estate, death date unknown.

Like his father, brothers and others of his class, Trigg farmed using enslaved labor. According to the 1787 Virginia Tax census, he owned five enslaved teenagers in Montgomery County, as did Daniel Trigg, possibly a relative, who also owned enslaved adults and more livestock.

Electoral history

• 1797;Trigg was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives unopposed.
• 1799;Trigg was re-elected with 88.47% of the vote, defeating Federalist William Preston.
• 1801;Trigg was re-elected unopposed.
• 1803;Trigg was re-elected unopposed.
• 1805;Trigg was re-elected unopposed.
• 1807;Trigg was re-elected defeating Federalist Daniel Sheffey.

References

• United States Congress."Abram Trigg (id: T000368)".Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.Retrieved on 2009-02-26