Thomas Bibb

Thomas Bibb

Thomas Bibb (born May 8, 1783 in Amelia County , Virginia , † September 20, 1839 in Huntsville , Alabama ) was an American politician ( Democratic Republican Party ) and the 2nd Governor of Alabama.

Early years

Thomas Bibb moved his family to Elbert County , Georgia at a young age , where he and his brother William grew up. In 1811 he moved to the Mississippi Territory near the Tennessee River , where he owned a plantation and became a trader. A few years later, in 1816, he moved to Huntsville, Alabama. There he became a member of the Constitutional Convention and a member of the Alabama Senate in 1819 . When his brother, who held the office of governor of Alabama, died on July 10, 1820 after a riding accident, Thomas Bibb was chairman of the Senate.

Governor of Alabama

After the death of his brother on July 15, 1820, he took over his duties as governor until the end of the legislative period, in accordance with the provisions of the new state constitution. During his tenure, the seat of government was moved to Cahaba . The General Assembly met there for the first time on November 6, 1820. Numerous local government laws have also been passed, a state bank has been approved, the University of Alabama has been established, and a patrol system has been introduced to help prevent slaves from escaping. Bibb chose not to run for re-election; however, the General Assembly urged him to start establishing the State Bank.

Another résumé

After his tenure as governor, he remained politically active. He was elected to the Alabama House of Representatives, where he served between 1828 and 1829. He was also a director of the State Bank of Alabama. He died on September 20, 1839 and was buried in Maple Hill Cemetery in Huntsville.

Thomas Bibb was married to Parmelia Thompson. Together they had eleven children, three of whom died in childhood.

literature

• Robert Sobel and John Raimo (Eds.): Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789–1978. Volume 1, Meckler Books, Westport, 1978. 4 volumes.

Web links

• Thomas Bibb in the National Governors Association (English)
• Thomas Bibb in the database of Find a Grave (English)