Botts, John M.

Born: 1802-09-16 Dumfries, Virginia

Died: 1869-01-09 Richmond, Virginia

Botts attended the common schools in Richmond, Virginia. He studied law and earned admittance to the bar in 1830, and started a practice in Richmond. He also operated a large plantation in Henrico County just outside of Richmond. Botts won election to the Virginia House of Delegates, serving from 1833 to 1839. In 1838, he won election to the U.S. House of Representatives, as a Whig, serving from 1839 to 1843. Botts won election back to House in 1846, and served alongside Abraham Lincoln until 1849. Botts returned to Virginia and won election to the State constitutional convention of 1850-51, after which he returned to his law practice in Richmond. He was a prominent Unionist during the Civil War.

Biographical Directory of the American Congress 1774-1996 (Alexandria, VA: CQ Staff Directories, 1997), 686; Gravestone, Shockoe Hill Cemetery, Richmond, VA; Janet L. Coryell, "John Minor Botts (1802–1869)," http://edu.lva.virginia.gov/online_classroom/union_or_secession/people/john_botts, accessed 26 September 2019.