Watkins Moorman Abbitt
Encyclopedia
Watkins Moorman Abbitt was a U.S. Representative
from Virginia
. He was born in Lynchburg
, Virginia
and graduated from Appomattox Agricultural High School in Appomattox, Virginia
in 1925. He earned an LL.B. from the University of Richmond
in 1931 and began the practice of law in Appomattox. He married Corinne Hancock on March 20, 1937. He was the Commonwealth attorney of Appomattox County, Virginia
from 1932 to 1948 and a member of the Virginia Constitutional Convention in 1945.
Abbitt served as a delegate to the 1964 Democratic National Convention
. He was a bank executive, and then elected as a Democrat
to the United States Congress
, by special election to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Representative Patrick H. Drewry
, and was reelected to the twelve succeeding Congresses (February 17, 1948 – January 3, 1973). He was a member of the agriculture committee.
He died from leukemia
in Lynchburg, Virginia
and was interred at Liberty Cemetery, Appomattox, Virginia.
His son, Watkins Abbitt, Jr.
, has been a member of the Virginia House of Delegates
since 1986.
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 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...
. He was born in Lynchburg
Lynchburg, Virginia
Lynchburg is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The population was 75,568 as of 2010. Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains along the banks of the James River, Lynchburg is known as the "City of Seven Hills" or "The Hill City." Lynchburg was the only major city in...
, 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...
and graduated from Appomattox Agricultural High School in Appomattox, Virginia
Appomattox, Virginia
Appomattox is a town in Appomattox County, Virginia, United States. The population was 1,761 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Appomattox County.Appomattox is part of the Lynchburg Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
in 1925. He earned an LL.B. from the University of Richmond
University of Richmond
The University of Richmond is a selective, private, nonsectarian, liberal arts university located on the border of the city of Richmond and Henrico County, Virginia. The University of Richmond is a primarily undergraduate, residential university with approximately 4,000 undergraduate and graduate...
in 1931 and began the practice of law in Appomattox. He married Corinne Hancock on March 20, 1937. He was the Commonwealth attorney of Appomattox County, Virginia
Appomattox County, Virginia
Appomattox County is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of 2010, the population was 14,973. Its county seat is Appomattox. For a long time, Appomattox was a prohibition or dry county...
from 1932 to 1948 and a member of the Virginia Constitutional Convention in 1945.
Abbitt served as a delegate to the 1964 Democratic National Convention
1964 Democratic National Convention
The 1964 Democratic National Convention was the 1964 presidential nominating convention of the Democratic Party. It took place at the Atlantic City Convention Center in Atlantic City, New Jersey from August 24 to 27, 1964. Incumbent President Lyndon B. Johnson -- who had been Vice President under...
. He was a bank executive, and then elected as a Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
to the United States Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
, by special election to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Representative Patrick H. Drewry
Patrick H. Drewry
Patrick Henry Drewry was a U.S. Representative from Virginia.Born in Petersburg, Virginia, Drewry attended the public schools, Petersburg High School, and McCabe's University School....
, and was reelected to the twelve succeeding Congresses (February 17, 1948 – January 3, 1973). He was a member of the agriculture committee.
He died from leukemia
Leukemia
Leukemia or leukaemia is a type of cancer of the blood or bone marrow characterized by an abnormal increase of immature white blood cells called "blasts". Leukemia is a broad term covering a spectrum of diseases...
in Lynchburg, Virginia
Lynchburg, Virginia
Lynchburg is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The population was 75,568 as of 2010. Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains along the banks of the James River, Lynchburg is known as the "City of Seven Hills" or "The Hill City." Lynchburg was the only major city in...
and was interred at Liberty Cemetery, Appomattox, Virginia.
His son, Watkins Abbitt, Jr.
Watkins Abbitt, Jr.
Watkins Moorman Abbitt, Jr. is an American politician. Since 1986 he has been a member of the Virginia House of Delegates. Originally a Democrat, he switched to independent status in 2001...
, has been a member of 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...
since 1986.