John Mercer PATTON, Congress, VA (1797-1858)

PATTON John Mercer , a Representative from Virginia; born in Fredericksburg, Va., August 10, 1797; attended Princeton College, and was graduated from the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania at Philadelphia in 1818, but never practiced; studied law; was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in Fredericksburg, Va.; elected as a Jacksonian to the Twenty-first Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Philip P. Barbour; reelected as a Jacksonian to the Twenty-second through Twenty-fourth Congresses and as a Democrat to the Twenty-fifth Congress and served from November 25, 1830, to April 7, 1838, when he resigned; chairman, Committee on Territories (Twenty-fourth and Twenty-fifth Congresses); senior councilor of Virginia and became acting governor of Virginia upon the resignation of Governor Gilmore in 1841; moved to Richmond, Va., and resumed the practice of law; died in Richmond, Va., October 29, 1858; interment in Shockee Cemetery.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present