Abram Trigg
Encyclopedia
Abram Trigg was an American
farmer and politician from Bedford County, Virginia
. He fought with the Virginia militia
in the Revolutionary War
and represented Virginia
6th congressional district
in the U.S. Congress
from 1797 until 1804.
. 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 in Bedford County
(which was formed from part of Lunenburg County in 1754) for many years. His brother, John, would serve with him in congress.
Trigg was a delegate to the Virginia ratification convention
of 1788, and voted with Patrick Henry
and the Anti-federalists
against ratification of the United 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.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
farmer and politician from Bedford County, Virginia
Bedford County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 60,371 people, 23,838 households, and 18,164 families residing in the county. The population density was 80 people per square mile . There were 26,841 housing units at an average density of 36 per square mile...
. He fought with the Virginia militia
Virginia Militia
The Virginia militia is an armed force composed of all citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia capable of bearing arms. The Virginia militia was established in 1607 as part of the British militia system. Militia service in Virginia was compulsory for all free males...
in the Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
and represented Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
6th congressional district
Virginia's 6th congressional district
Virginia's sixth congressional district is a United States congressional district in the commonwealth of Virginia. It covers all or part of Shenandoah, Rockingham, Highland, Augusta, Bath, Bedford, Rockbridge, Botetourt, Roanoke and Amherst Counties. The current representative is Bob Goodlatte...
in the U.S. Congress
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
from 1797 until 1804.
Family life
Abram was born on his father's farm near New London in Lunenburg County, VirginiaLunenburg County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 13,146 people, 4,998 households, and 3,383 families residing in the county. The population density was 30 people per square mile . There were 5,736 housing units at an average density of 13 per square mile...
. 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 in Bedford County
Bedford County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 60,371 people, 23,838 households, and 18,164 families residing in the county. The population density was 80 people per square mile . There were 26,841 housing units at an average density of 36 per square mile...
(which was formed from part of Lunenburg County in 1754) for many years. His brother, John, would serve with him in congress.
Career
He completed academic studies, studied law and was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in Montgomery County, Virginia. He lived on his estate, "Buchanan's Bottom," on New River and held local offices, such as clerk and judge, and various other offices in Montgomery County. 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 the Virginia ratification convention
Virginia Ratifying Convention
The Virginia Ratifying Convention was a convention of 168 delegates from Virginia who met in 1788 to ratify or reject the United States Constitution, which had been drafted at the Philadelphia Convention the previous year.The Convention met and deliberated from June 2 through June 27 in Richmond...
of 1788, and voted with Patrick Henry
Patrick Henry
Patrick Henry was an orator and politician who led the movement for independence in Virginia in the 1770s. A Founding Father, he served as the first and sixth post-colonial Governor of Virginia from 1776 to 1779 and subsequently, from 1784 to 1786...
and the Anti-federalists
Anti-Federalism
Anti-Federalism refers to a movement that opposed the creation of a stronger U.S. federal government and which later opposed the ratification of the Constitution of 1787. The previous constitution, called the Articles of Confederation, gave state governments more authority...
against ratification of the United States Constitution
United States Constitution
The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the United States of America. It is the framework for the organization of the United States government and for the relationship of the federal government with the states, citizens, and all people within the United States.The first three...
. 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.