Willis Alston
Encyclopedia
Willis Alston was a U.S. Congressman
from North Carolina
between 1825 and 1831.
Born near Littleton, North Carolina
in Halifax County
, Alston was said to have attended Princeton College, though no records exist of his enrollment, and engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was elected to the North Carolina House of Commons in 1790 and served for two years; in 1794 he was elected to a single term in the North Carolina Senate
.
In 1798, Alston was elected as a Federalist
to the U.S. House, defeating incumbent Thomas Blount and two other candidates. Alston served from March 4, 1799 to March 3, 1815. Early in the Jefferson administration, Alston changed parties and became affiliated with the Republican Party. Local Federalists recruited former Gov. William R. Davie to challenge Alston in 1803, but Alston survived Davie's challenge. Alston chaired the House Committee on Revisal and Unfinished Business during the 13th U.S. Congress
. In the election of April 1813, Alston defeated Daniel Mason, the Peace candidate, with the smallest margin of his re-election campaigns (56%-44%), and Alston retired at the end of the term.
Although he returned to the state house of commons between 1820 and 1824, Alston returned to Washington in 1825, elected as a Jacksonian Democrat
. Serving three terms (March 4, 1825 – March 3, 1831), Alston chaired the Committee on Elections during the 21st Congress
. He declined to seek re-election in 1830 and returned to agriculture. Alston died in 1837 in Halifax
and is buried at his plantation home of Butterwood, near Littleton.
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 North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
between 1825 and 1831.
Born near Littleton, North Carolina
Littleton, North Carolina
Littleton is a town in Halifax County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 692 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Littleton is located at ....
in Halifax County
Halifax County, North Carolina
-Demographics:-Demographics:-Demographics:-Demographics:-Demographics:-Demographics:-Demographics:-Demographics:-Demographics:[[Image:HalifaxCountyCotton.wmg.jpg|left|thumb|A cotton field blooms in Halifax County....
, Alston was said to have attended Princeton College, though no records exist of his enrollment, and engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was elected to the North Carolina House of Commons in 1790 and served for two years; in 1794 he was elected to a single term in the North Carolina Senate
North Carolina Senate
The North Carolina Senate is one of the two houses of the North Carolina General Assembly.Its prerogatives and powers are similar to those of the other house, the House of Representatives. Its members do, however, represent districts that are larger than those of their colleagues in the House. The...
.
In 1798, Alston was elected as a Federalist
Federalist Party (United States)
The Federalist Party was the first American political party, from the early 1790s to 1816, the era of the First Party System, with remnants lasting into the 1820s. The Federalists controlled the federal government until 1801...
to the U.S. House, defeating incumbent Thomas Blount and two other candidates. Alston served from March 4, 1799 to March 3, 1815. Early in the Jefferson administration, Alston changed parties and became affiliated with the Republican Party. Local Federalists recruited former Gov. William R. Davie to challenge Alston in 1803, but Alston survived Davie's challenge. Alston chaired the House Committee on Revisal and Unfinished Business during the 13th U.S. Congress
13th United States Congress
- Senate :* President: Elbridge Gerry , until November 23, 1814, thereafter vacant.* President pro tempore: Joseph B. Varnum , December 6, 1813 – February 3, 1814** John Gaillard , elected November 25, 1814- House of Representatives :...
. In the election of April 1813, Alston defeated Daniel Mason, the Peace candidate, with the smallest margin of his re-election campaigns (56%-44%), and Alston retired at the end of the term.
Although he returned to the state house of commons between 1820 and 1824, Alston returned to Washington in 1825, elected as a Jacksonian 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...
. Serving three terms (March 4, 1825 – March 3, 1831), Alston chaired the Committee on Elections during the 21st Congress
21st United States Congress
-House of Representatives:-Leadership:- Senate :* President: John C. Calhoun * President pro tempore: Samuel Smith - House of Representatives :* Speaker: Andrew Stevenson -Members:This list is arranged by chamber, then by state...
. He declined to seek re-election in 1830 and returned to agriculture. Alston died in 1837 in Halifax
Halifax, North Carolina
Halifax is a town in Halifax County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 344 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Halifax County...
and is buried at his plantation home of Butterwood, near Littleton.