Willoughby Newton

Willoughby Newton (December 2, 1802 – May 23, 1874) was a nineteenth century congressman and lawyer from Virginia.

Biography

Born at "Lee Hall" near Hague, Virginia, he was the son of Willoughby Newton and Sarah "Sally" Bland Poythress (1768-24 May 1828), the widow of Richard "Squire" Lee and daughter of Peter Poythress (1715–1785) of "Branchester", and Elizabeth Bland (1733–1792).

He married Elizabeth Armistead abt 1825. She died after only a year. He next married Mary Stevenson Brockenbrough (15 September 1810-9 January 1888), daughter of Judge William Brockenbrough, on 12 May 1830. The couple had 8 children;

1. William Brockenbrough Newton (15 April 1832-11 October 1863); Capt. of the 4th Virginia Cavalry (C.S.A.) killed at Raccoon Ford
2. Sarah Newton (b. 1833) ; married Dr. Philip Smith
3. Mary Willoughby Newton (b. 1835); died young
4. Willoughby Newton III (1837-20 June 1897); married Elizabeth Lewis Marshall (1841–1888)
5. Rev. John Brockenbrough Newton (7 Feb 1840-28 May 1897)
6. Robert Murphey Newton (b. 15 May 1842)
7. Judith White Newton (b. 29 October 1843); married Edwin Claybrook
8. Edwin Colston Newton (b. 1845)

He died at "Linden" in Westmoreland County, Virginia on May 23, 1874 and was interned in a private cemetery on his family's estate.

Career

Newton received a liberal education from private teachers as a child and went on to attend the College of William and Mary. He studied law and was admitted to the bar, commencing practice in Westmoreland County, Virginia. He was a member of the Virginia House of Delegates from 1826 to 1832 and was later elected a Whig to the United States House of Representatives in 1842, serving from 1843 to 1845. After being unsuccessful for reelection, Newton resumed practicing law and also engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was president of the Virginia Agricultural Society in 1852 and returned to the House of Delegates in 1861, serving until 1863.

External links

• United States Congress. "Willoughby Newton (id: N000080)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved on 2009-04-14
• Willoughby Newton at Find a Grave Retrieved on 2009-04-14

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress