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1862 John Tyler dies
Former U.S. President and current Confederate Congressman-elect John Tyler dies in Richmond, Virginia.
Tyler was a product of tidewater Virginia, and he spent nearly his entire life in public service. Tyler was a U.S. Senator from Virginia during the 1830s, when many of the sectional issues were emerging in national politics. A Whig, Tyler became vice president in 1841. Within a month of his inauguration, President William Henry Harrison died in office and Tyler vaulted into the executive chair. The major achievement of his administration was the addition of Texas to the Union in 1845.
After his presidency, Tyler moved to his plantation, Sherwood Forest, in Virginia. His fellow Virginians called on the 70-year-old to head a Peace Convention in the winter of 1860-1861. This body tried to negotiate a compromise with the victorious Republicans in the North to prevent a civil war. The attempt failed, as the Republicans were not willing to entertain any proposals that would protect slavery in the western territories. Tyler was a delegate to the subsequent Secession Convention and he later became a member of the Provisional Congress of the Confederate States of America. Tyler felt that victory was impossible for the Confederates but he nonetheless suggested that Confederate cavalry be dispatched to capture Washington before the Union military was in place.
Tyler was elected to the permanent Congress of the Confederate States of America but he died before he could take his seat. He was survived by his second wife, Julia, and 11 of his 15 children. Tyler is buried in Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond.
Former U.S. President and current Confederate Congressman-elect John Tyler dies in Richmond, Virginia.
Tyler was a product of tidewater Virginia, and he spent nearly his entire life in public service. Tyler was a U.S. Senator from Virginia during the 1830s, when many of the sectional issues were emerging in national politics. A Whig, Tyler became vice president in 1841. Within a month of his inauguration, President William Henry Harrison died in office and Tyler vaulted into the executive chair. The major achievement of his administration was the addition of Texas to the Union in 1845.
After his presidency, Tyler moved to his plantation, Sherwood Forest, in Virginia. His fellow Virginians called on the 70-year-old to head a Peace Convention in the winter of 1860-1861. This body tried to negotiate a compromise with the victorious Republicans in the North to prevent a civil war. The attempt failed, as the Republicans were not willing to entertain any proposals that would protect slavery in the western territories. Tyler was a delegate to the subsequent Secession Convention and he later became a member of the Provisional Congress of the Confederate States of America. Tyler felt that victory was impossible for the Confederates but he nonetheless suggested that Confederate cavalry be dispatched to capture Washington before the Union military was in place.
Tyler was elected to the permanent Congress of the Confederate States of America but he died before he could take his seat. He was survived by his second wife, Julia, and 11 of his 15 children. Tyler is buried in Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond.
