A Guide to the Benjamin Rush Floyd Papers, 1850 Floyd, Benjamin Rush, Papers 1989.2

A Guide to the Benjamin Rush Floyd Papers, 1850

A Collection in
Special Collections, Kegley Library
Collection Number 1989.2


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Special Collections, Kegley Library, Wytheville Community College

Special Collections
Kegley Library
Wytheville Community College
Wytheville, Virginia 24382-3308
USA
Phone: (276) 223-4744
Fax: (276) 223-4745
Email: gmattis@wcc.vccs.edu
URL: http://kegleylibrary.wcc.vccs.edu/

© 2011 By Wytheville Community College. All rights reserved.

Processed by: Cathy Carlson Reynolds

Repository
Special Collections, Kegley Library
Collection Number
1989.2
Title
Benjamin Rush Floyd Papers 1850
Physical Characteristics
1 item.
Language
English

Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

Collection is open to research.

Use Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Preferred Citation

Benjamin Rush Floyd Papers, Mss. Collection 1989.2, Kegley Library, Wytheville Community College, Wytheville, VA

Acquisition Information

Purchased by the Kegley Library in 1989.

Biographical Information

Benjamin Rush Floyd was born on 10 December 1811, the son of Gov. John and Letitia Preston Floyd of Smithfield Plantation in Montgomery County, Va. He graduated from Georgetown College in 1832 and practiced law in Wytheville.

Politically active, Floyd served in the General Assembly as delegate (1847-1848) and senator (1857-1858). In 1852, he unsuccessfully ran for a judgeship in the circuit court. He also lost a 1859 U. S. senatorial bid to Elbert S. Martin because of his unpopular support of President Buchanan's veto of the War of 1812 pension bill.

Floyd was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Wytheville, Virginia. He died on 15 February 1860.

Scope and Content

The collection consists of a campaign broadside entitled "To the People of Smyth, Wythe, and Washington, " which was printed by the Wytheville Republican by J. A. Bickle. Floyd was a candidate for a seat in the 1850 Virginia Constitutional Convention. In this 15 June 1850 broadside, Floyd supports reforms to the Virginia Constitution including waiver of property requirements for voting and election of officials for all legislative and judicial offices.