John Brown Baldwin
Encyclopedia
John Brown Baldwin was a politician in Virginia
during the American Civil War
, when he served in the Confederate Congress.
. He graduated from Staunton Academy and then the University of Virginia
in 1838. He was a member of the college's Board of Visitors from 1856–64. He married Susan Madison Peyton on July 4, 1852.
He was elected to the Virginia Convention, as a Unionist, in February 1861. On April 4, 1861, Baldwin represented the Convention's Unionist leadership at a secret one-hour interview with President Abraham Lincoln
at the White House. He went to Washington hopeful that an agreement might be reached that would preserve the peace and hold Virginia in the Union. But he returned to Richmond emptyhanded, after finding that he and Lincoln had talked past each other.
When secession of the commonwealth was ratified by the people of Virginia, Baldwin felt that it was his duty stay with his home state. He was elected as a representative from Augusta County
, to the First Confederate Congress
, and was then reelected to the Second Confederate Congress
(defeating incumbent Governor John Letcher
) and served until the conclusion of the Civil War.
Following the war, Baldwin returned home. He was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates
, under the new post-war United States government and was chosen as its Speaker. In this capacity, he showed exceptional ability and the rules of procedure which he evolved are still in use in Virginia, being known as "Baldwin's Rules."
Baldwin is buried in Thornrose Cemetery in Staunton, 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...
during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, when he served in the Confederate Congress.
Biography
Baldwin was born in Staunton, VirginiaStaunton, Virginia
Staunton is an independent city within the confines of Augusta County in the commonwealth of Virginia. The population was 23,746 as of 2010. It is the county seat of Augusta County....
. He graduated from Staunton Academy and then the University of Virginia
University of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
in 1838. He was a member of the college's Board of Visitors from 1856–64. He married Susan Madison Peyton on July 4, 1852.
He was elected to the Virginia Convention, as a Unionist, in February 1861. On April 4, 1861, Baldwin represented the Convention's Unionist leadership at a secret one-hour interview with President Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States, serving from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. He successfully led his country through a great constitutional, military and moral crisis – the American Civil War – preserving the Union, while ending slavery, and...
at the White House. He went to Washington hopeful that an agreement might be reached that would preserve the peace and hold Virginia in the Union. But he returned to Richmond emptyhanded, after finding that he and Lincoln had talked past each other.
When secession of the commonwealth was ratified by the people of Virginia, Baldwin felt that it was his duty stay with his home state. He was elected as a representative from Augusta County
Augusta County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 65,615 people, 24,818 households, and 18,911 families residing in the county. The population density was 68 people per square mile . There were 26,738 housing units at an average density of 28 per square mile...
, to the First Confederate Congress
First Confederate Congress
The First Confederate Congress was the first regular term of the legislature of the Confederate States of America. Members of the First Confederate Congress were chosen in elections mostly held on 6 November 1861.-Sessions:...
, and was then reelected to the Second Confederate Congress
Second Confederate Congress
The Second Confederate Congress was the second and last regular term of the legislature of the Confederate States of America. Members of the Second Confederate Congress were chosen in elections held at various dates in 1863 and 1864...
(defeating incumbent Governor John Letcher
John Letcher
John Letcher was an American lawyer, journalist, and politician. He served as a Representative in the United States Congress, was the 34th Governor of Virginia during the American Civil War, and later served in the Virginia General Assembly...
) and served until the conclusion of the Civil War.
Following the war, Baldwin returned home. He was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates
Virginia House of Delegates
The Virginia House of Delegates is the lower house of the Virginia General Assembly. It has 100 members elected for terms of two years; unlike most states, these elections take place during odd-numbered years. The House is presided over by the Speaker of the House, who is elected from among the...
, under the new post-war United States government and was chosen as its Speaker. In this capacity, he showed exceptional ability and the rules of procedure which he evolved are still in use in Virginia, being known as "Baldwin's Rules."
Baldwin is buried in Thornrose Cemetery in Staunton, Virginia.
External links
- John Brown Baldwin in Encyclopedia Virginia
- The Valley of the Shadow biography for John Brown Baldwin
- John Brown Baldwin at Find A GraveFind A GraveFind a Grave is a commercial website providing free access and input to an online database of cemetery records. It was founded in 1998 as a DBA and incorporated in 2000.-History:...