Abram Trigg

Abram Trigg (1750 – unknown) was an American planter, lawyer and politician who represented Montgomery County, Virginia in the Virginia Ratifying Convention and U.S. House of Representatives (1797-1809) after fighting with the Virginia militia in the Revolutionary War.^[1]

Early life and family[edit]

Abram was born on his father's farm near New London in then vast Lunenberg County in what was then the Colony of Virginia, probably in a part that became Bedford County in 1754. He was one of the eight children of William Trigg (1716–1773) and Mary (Johns) Trigg (1720–1773). His father, William served as a judge in Bedford County (which was formed from part of Lunenburg County in 1754) for many years. His brother, John, would serve with him in congress. In 1779 Abram married Susannah Ingles, daughter of William Ingles and Mary Draper Ingles, who escaped from Indian captivity and walked 800 miles to return to her home in 1755.

Career[edit]

He completed academic studies, studied law and was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in Montgomery County, Virginia. He lived on his estate, "Buchanan's Bottom", on the New River and held local offices, such as clerk and judge, and various other offices in Montgomery County. Abram married Susanna Ingles, daughter of William Ingles, and had ten children.^[2] He served in the Revolutionary War as lieutenant colonel of militia in 1782 and later as general of militia in Virginia.

Trigg was a delegate to the Virginia ratification convention of 1788, and voted with Patrick Henry and the Anti-federalists against ratification of the United States Constitution.^[3] He was elected as a Republican to the Fifth and to the five succeeding Congresses (March 4, 1797 – March 3, 1809). He died and was buried on the family estate, death date unknown.

Like his father, brothers and others of his class, Trigg farmed using enslaved labor. According to the 1787 Virginia Tax census, he owned five enslaved teenagers in Montgomery County, as did Daniel Trigg, possibly a relative, who also owned enslaved adults and more livestock.^[4]

Electoral history[edit]

• 1797; Trigg was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives unopposed.
• 1799; Trigg was re-elected with 88.47% of the vote, defeating Federalist William Preston.
• 1801; Trigg was re-elected unopposed.
• 1803; Trigg was re-elected unopposed.
• 1805; Trigg was re-elected unopposed.
• 1807; Trigg was re-elected defeating Federalist Daniel Sheffey.

References[edit]

• United States Congress. "Abram Trigg (id: T000368)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved on 2009-02-26