Willoughby Newton

Willoughby Newton (* December 2, 1802 at Hague, Westmoreland County, Virginia; † May 23, 1874 in Westmoreland County, Virginia ) was an American politician. Between 1843 and 1845 he represented the state of Virginia in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Career

Willoughby Newton was initially taught by private tutors and then attended the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg. After a subsequent study of law and qualifying as a lawyer, he began to work in Westmoreland County in this profession. At the same time he embarked on a political career. Between 1826 and 1832 he sat in the House of Representatives from Virginia. Later he became a member of the founded in the 1830s Whig party.

In the congressional elections of 1842 Newton was in the eighth constituency of Virginia in the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington DC chosen, where he became the successor of Henry A. Wise on March 4, 1843. Since he has not been confirmed in 1844, he was able to complete only one term in Congress until March 3, 1845. This period was characterized by the tensions between President John Tyler and the Whigs. It was also at that time already been discussed about a possible annexation of the independent Republic of Texas since 1836 by Mexico.

After the end of his time in the U.S. House of Representatives Newton practiced again as a lawyer in Westmoreland County. He was also engaged in farming. In 1852 he became chairman of the Virginia Agricultural Society. In the years 1861 and 1863, ie during the Civil War, he was again a deputy in the state legislature of Virginia. He died on 23 May 1874 the farm Linden in Westmoreland County.