Chapman Johnson

Chapman Johnson (March 12, 1777 – July 12, 1849) was a nineteenth-century American politician from Virginia.

Chapman Johnson
Born1779 (1779)
Louisa County, Virginia, U.S.
Died1849 (aged 69–70)
Richmond, Virginia, U.S.
Alma materCollege of William and Mary
OccupationLawyer
Titlestate Senator, Rector of UVA

Early life

Johnson was born in Louisa County. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from the College of William and Mary in 1802.[1]

Career
The Virginia Capitol at Richmond VA
where 19th century Conventions met

As an adult, Johnson lived in Staunton, Augusta County, Virginia. He was elected Mayor of Staunton in 1808, and then served in the Virginia state Senate beginning in 1811 through 1831 from a district made up of Augusta, Rockbridge and Pendleton Counties.[2]

In the War of 1812, Johnson was the elected captain of a volunteer company and was appointed aide to General James Breckinridge.[3] He was governor of the University of Virginia from 1819-1845, and rector 1836-1845.[4]

Johnson was elected as a delegate to the Virginia Constitutional Convention of 1829-1830. There he was elected by the Convention to serve on the Legislative Committee. He was one of four delegates elected from the senatorial district made up his home district.[5]

During the debates, he was a floor leader for the White Basis Party in the Convention, seeking reapportionment of the state legislature to represent citizens only, without weighting the legislature by counting slaves held as property. The existing regime made the eastern slave-holding counties a permanent majority in the General Assembly opposing direct election of the Governor and internal improvements to connect the western and eastern regions of the state.[6]

Death

Chapman Johnson died July 12, 1849 at Richmond, Virginia.[7]

political graveyard

References
  1. Pulliam 1901, p. 77
  2. Pulliam 1901, p. 70, 77
  3. Pulliam 1901, p. 77
  4. Swem Library Index, “Chapman Johnson”
  5. Pulliam 1901, p. 68, 70
  6. Pulliam 1901, p.78
  7. Pulliam 1901, p. 78

Bibliography
  • Pulliam, David Loyd (1901). The Constitutional Conventions of Virginia from the foundation of the Commonwealth to the present time. John T. West, Richmond. ISBN 978-1-2879-2059-5.
  • "Chapman_Johnson". Swem Library. College of William and Mary. Retrieved December 25, 2016.
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