CS Con Gholson, Thomas Saunders - C.S. Congressman, VA

Thomas Saunders Gholson​

Born: December 9, 1810

Birthplace: Gholsonville, Virginia

Father: Major William Gholson 1775 – 1831

Mother: Maury Saunders 1776 – 1842

Wife: Cary Ann Gholson 1810 – 1896

(Buried: Blandford Cemetery, Petersburg, Virginia)​

Children:

Rev. John Yates Gholson 1830 – 1886​

(Buried: Saint Michaels Cemetery, Faunsdale, Alabama)​

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Georgianna Freeman Gholson Walker 1833 – 1904​

(Buried: Silver Mount Cemetery, Sunnyside, New York)​

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Infant Daughter Gholson 1850 – 1850​

(Buried: Blandford Cemetery, Petersburg, Virginia)​

Brother: U.S. Congressman James Herbert Gholson 1798 – 1848

(Buried: Blandford Cemetery, Petersburg, Virginia)​

Uncle: U.S. Congressman Thomas Gholson Jr. 1780 – 1816

Political Party: Democratic Party


Education:

1827: Graduated from University of Virginia​

Occupation before War:

Attorney in Petersburg, Virginia​

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Helped found and support the Petersburg, Virginia Public library​

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President of the Bank of Petersburg, Virginia​

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Leader in railroad development in the state of Virginia​

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1859 – 1864: Judge of Fifth Judicial Circuit Court of Virginia​

Civil War Career:

1859 – 1864: Judge of Fifth Judicial Circuit Court of Virginia​

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1864 – 1865: Confederate States Congressman from Virginia​

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1864 – 1865: Member of House Judiciary Committee​

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1865: Instructed the Committee on military affairs to consider placing all able – bodied men in the army.​

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He also wished to increase the powers of General – in – Chief Robert E. Lee and to give the War Department the right to take over all state militia.​

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He favored almost total wartime control over the Confederacy's currency, produce and transportation facilities.

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He didn't hesitate to let the President suspend the right of habeas corpus where it seemed necessary.​

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1865: He saw no cause for despondency and opposed arming the slaves.​

Occupation after War:

Helped form a cotton and tobacco commission house in Liverpool, England.​

Died: December 12, 1868

Place of Death: Savannah, Georgia

Age at time of Death: 58 years old

Burial Place: Blandford Cemetery, Petersburg, Virginia

 

[Pollaco]

The seat he filled in the second Confederate Congress was that of Charles F. Collier. One of the stories is that Gholson defeated Collier by 26 votes. Collier was filling out the term for Gen. Roger A. Pryor in the 1st Congress.

 

[Pollaco]

The seat he filled in the second Confederate Congress was that of Charles F. Collier. One of the stories is that Gholson defeated Collier by 26 votes. Collier was filling out the term for Gen. Roger A. Pryor in the 1st Congress.

Gholson had an earlier run in with Collier's father, R.H.Collier.In 1847 Collier lodged a complaint to the Virginia House of Delegates against his brother Judge James H. Gholson alleging favoritism toward Thomas Gholson.I don't know the details but a public assault was also included.