US Congressman. Some sources indicate he was born in Granville County, North Carolina, and others Norfolk County, Virginia. Active in the militia, in 1775 he was commissioned as a First Lieutenant in the Continental Army. He resigned as a Captain in 1776 and returned to the militia, including service as Major in command of a cavalry detachment. In 1779 he was elected Randolph County Clerk. In 1782 he was named one of three Commissioners to survey Tennessee land for grants to Continental Army veterans. Later in 1782 he became Secretary to Governor Thomas Burke and state Tobacco Agent. In 1785 he was elected State Surveyor and appointed Commissioner authorized to sign the state's paper money, and in 1788 he was a Delegate to the state convention that ratified the US Constitution. In 1794 Tatom was elected to the US House of Representatives as a Democratic-Republican and served from March, 1795 until June, 1796. He resigned to run for the state House of Representatives, where he served from 1797 until his death. Tatom supported the University of North Carolina and proposed creating a state prison and eliminating the death penalty for all crimes but first degree murder. He also supported abolition, freed his slaves in his will, and left his estate in trust for their use.
US Congressman. Some sources indicate he was born in Granville County, North Carolina, and others Norfolk County, Virginia. Active in the militia, in 1775 he was commissioned as a First Lieutenant in the Continental Army. He resigned as a Captain in 1776 and returned to the militia, including service as Major in command of a cavalry detachment. In 1779 he was elected Randolph County Clerk. In 1782 he was named one of three Commissioners to survey Tennessee land for grants to Continental Army veterans. Later in 1782 he became Secretary to Governor Thomas Burke and state Tobacco Agent. In 1785 he was elected State Surveyor and appointed Commissioner authorized to sign the state's paper money, and in 1788 he was a Delegate to the state convention that ratified the US Constitution. In 1794 Tatom was elected to the US House of Representatives as a Democratic-Republican and served from March, 1795 until June, 1796. He resigned to run for the state House of Representatives, where he served from 1797 until his death. Tatom supported the University of North Carolina and proposed creating a state prison and eliminating the death penalty for all crimes but first degree murder. He also supported abolition, freed his slaves in his will, and left his estate in trust for their use.
Bio by: Bill McKern
Family Members
Children
Advertisement
