Robert Rutherford (congressman)

Robert Rutherford (October 20, 1728 – October 10, 1803) was an American pioneer, soldier and statesman from western Virginia. He represented Virginia in the United States House of Representatives from 1793 until 1797.

Robert Rutherford
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Virginia's 1st district
In office
March 4, 1793 – March 3, 1797
Preceded byAlexander White
Succeeded byDaniel Morgan
Member of the Virginia Senate from Frederick, Berkeley, Hampshire and Hardy Counties
In office
1786–1790
Preceded byHimself
Succeeded byJohn Smith
Member of the Virginia Senate from Frederick, Berkeley and Hampshire Counties
In office
1776–1785
Preceded byPosition established
Succeeded byHimself
Personal details
Born(1728-10-20)October 20, 1728
Scotland, Kingdom of Great Britain
DiedOctober 10, 1803(1803-10-10) (aged 74)
Charles Town, Virginia, U.S. (now West Virginia)
Resting placeCharles Town, West Virginia
Political partyDemocratic-Republican (after 1795)
Other political
affiliations
Anti-Administration (until 1795)

Robert was born in Scotland[1] but emigrated to America as an infant with his parents, Thomas and Sarah. They originally immigrated to Pennsylvania, but soon settled in Virginia. He was the first U.S. Congressman from west of the Blue Ridge mountains in Virginia.

Captain Robert Rutherford commanded a company of rangers (Rutherfords Rangers) during the French and Indian War from 1758-1759.

Electoral history

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  • 1793; Rutherford was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives with 56.61% of the vote, defeating nonpartisans Alexander White and John Smith.
  • 1795; Rutherford was re-elected, defeating nonpartisan Daniel Morgan.

References

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  1. ^ "RUTHERFORD, Robert, 1728-1803". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved November 21, 2015.
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U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Virginia's 1st congressional district

1793–1797
Succeeded by