Watkins Moorman Abbitt

Democrat Representative of Virginia's 4th district

Congresses Served

House Terms

May 21, 1908 (90 years old)

Birthday

July 13, 1998

Death

Served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for 25 years
Was a top lieutenant in the Byrd Organization
Graduated with an LL.B. from the University of Richmond and practiced law in Appomattox, Virginia
Served as Commonwealth’s attorney for Appomattox County and was a member of the Virginia Constitutional Convention
Initially won a special election to fill a vacancy in the U.S. House and was re-elected 11 more times
Served on the agriculture committee and supported farm subsidies, fiscal conservatism, and opposed increased federal intervention in state affairs
Known for his opposition to school desegregation in the 1950s and was a signatory of the Southern Manifesto
Voted against the Civil Rights Acts of 1957, 1960, 1964, and 1968, as well as the 24th Amendment and the Voting Rights Act of 1965
Served as chairman of the state Democratic party and was a delegate to the 1964 Democratic National Convention
Retired after being redistricted into the same congressional district as another Democrat
In later years, recanted his segregationist views and endorsed L. Douglas Wilder, Virginia’s first black governor
Provided free legal services to black churches in his later years
Married twice, with his first wife passing away before him; he died from leukemia
A park in Appomattox, Virginia is named in his honor
His son, Watkins Abbitt Jr., served in the Virginia House of Delegates