Richard Walker Barton

Whig Representative of Virginia's 15th district

Congresses Served

House Terms

January 1, 1800 (59 years old)

Birthday

March 15, 1859

Death

Nineteenth-century politician, lawyer, and planter
Nephew and a more distant relative became notable figures in law and Confederate engineering, respectively
Born and raised on a farm near Winchester, Virginia, in a family with seven siblings
Received a private education followed by legal studies
Married twice, fathering six children across both marriages
Practiced law in Winchester and engaged in farming using enslaved labor
Owned a significant number of slaves and valuable real estate
Involved in local agriculture through the founding of the Valley Agricultural Society
Served multiple terms in the Virginia General Assembly and was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives as a Whig
Did not seek reelection to Congress after redistricting
Died a day after executing his will, buried on his estate
Served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia’s 15th congressional district for a term