James Wood (politician)

James Wood (born January 28, 1741 in Winchester , Colony of Virginia , † June 16, 1813 ) was a British- American politician and from 1796 to 1799 governor of the state of Virginia.

Early years and political advancement

James Wood was originally a clergyman. Between 1766 and 1776 he was a member of the colonial House of Burgesses of Virginia. In 1774 he negotiated a peace treaty with the Shawnee Indians at Fort Pitt. During the War of Independence , he took part in a few battles and was then entrusted with guarding prisoners of war. After the war he became a brigadier general of the militia.

In 1776 Wood was a member of the Virginia Constituent Assembly. In 1784 he became a member of the Virginia Governing Council. James Wood joined the Democratic Republican Party founded by Thomas Jefferson .

Governor of Virginia and another résumé

In 1796, Wood was elected the new governor of his state by the legislature. After he was re-elected in 1797 and 1798, he was able to exercise this office between November 30, 1796 and December 6, 1799. During this time the Virginia State Prison was built. Wood was an active member of the Society for the Abolition of Slavery . In 1797 he was its vice-president and 1801 president. James Wood died in June 1813. He had one child with his wife, Jean Moncure.

literature

• Robert Sobel and John Raimo (Eds.): Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789–1978. Volume 4, Meckler Books, Westport, 1978. 4 volumes.

Web links

• James Wood in the National Governors Association
• James Wood in the database of Find a Grave (English)