Introduction
Archibald Stuart (December 2, 1795 – September 20, 1855) was a nineteenth-century politician and lawyer from Virginia. He was the first cousin of Alexander Hugh Holmes Stuart and the father of Confederate General James Ewell Brown "Jeb" Stuart, who was the seventh of eleven children.
Early life
Born in Lynchburg, Virginia to Anne Dabney Stuart and Judge Alexander Stuart, Stuart attended private schools and completed preparatory studies as a child.
Career
He became an officer in the War of 1812 and studied law afterward. After being admitted to the bar, Stuart commenced practice in Lynchburg. He was elected to the Virginia Constitutional Convention of 1829-1830.
Stuart was elected a Democrat to the United States House of Representatives in 1836, serving from 1837 to 1839. After losing reelection to Isaac Adams, Stuart resumed practicing law.
In 1850-51 he served in the Virginia Constitutional Convention of 1850. He served to the Virginia Senate, serving from 1852 to 1854.
Death
Stuart died suddenly at his home, "Laurel Hill" in Patrick County, Virginia, on September 20, 1855. He was interred in the Stuart family cemetery at Laurel Hill. In 1952 the Stuart family re-interred his remains in Saltville, Virginia, next to the grave of his wife, Elizabeth Letcher Pannill Stuart.
Electoral history
- 1837; Stuart was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives with 56.08% of the vote, defeating Whig Nathaniel H. Claiborne.
- 1839; Stuart lost his re-election bid.