James Meriwether

American politician (1789–1854)

For the U.S. Representative, jurist and lawyer, see James Archibald Meriwether.

James Meriwether (1789–1854) was a United States Representative and lawyer from Georgia. His father was David Meriwether and his nephew was James Archibald Meriwether.[1]

## Early years and education

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Meriwether was born near Washington, Georgia, Wilkes County in 1789. He attended the common schools, and graduated from the University of Georgia in Athens with a Bachelor of Arts (A.B.) degree in 1807 and was a tutor at the University for a year.[1][2][3]

## Career in law and military service

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After studying law in Elberton, Georgia and gaining admittance to the state bar, he practiced law for a short time and then focused on farming. From 1811 to 1813, he was judge of the inferior court of Clarke County, Georgia.[3] In 1813, Meriwether fought in the Creek War under the command of General John Floyd. Meriwether served as a trustee of UGA from 1816 until 1831.[2]

## Political office

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From 1821 to 1823, Meriwether served in the Georgia House of Representatives representing Clarke County. President James Monroe appointed Meriwether as a commissioner to negotiate with the Creek in 1823.[3] In 1824, he was elected as a Jacksonian Representative to the 19th United States Congress and served one term from March 4, 1825 until March 3, 1827, as he did not seek reelection in 1826.[2]

## Later years

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James Meriwether returned to his farming and died while on a trip near Memphis, Tennessee, in 1854. He was buried at his family plantation in Clarke County.[2]

## References

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1. ^ a b American Political Leaders 1789–2009. CQ Press. 2009. p. 196\. ISBN 978-1452267265.
2. ^ a b c d "James Meriwether". United States House of Representatives. Retrieved January 25, 2020.
3. ^ a b c Thomas Reed. The History of the University of Georgia. University of Georgia. p. 138\. Archived from the original on January 25, 2020. Retrieved January 25, 2020.

## External links

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* This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
* History of the University of Georgia, Thomas Walter Reed, Imprint: Athens, Georgia : University of Georgia, c. 1949, pp. 135, 138
* Meriwether, James. "[Letter] 1824 Dec. 14, Princeton, [Georgia] near Broken Arrow [to] G[eorge] M. Troup, [Governor of Georgia], Milledgeville / Duncan Campbell [and] Ja[me]s Meriwether, U.S. Commis[ione]rs". Southeastern Native American Documents, 1730–1842. Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, The University of Georgia Libraries, Digital Library of Georgia. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
* James Meriwether at Find a Grave

U.S. House of Representatives

Preceded by

Richard Henry Wilde

|  Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Georgia's at-large congressional district
March 4, 1825 – March 3, 1827  | Succeeded by

Wilson Lumpkin

Authority control databases

International|

* VIAF
* WorldCat

National|

* United States

People|

* US Congress

Other|

* SNAC