Page:The Biographical Dictionary of America, vol. 04.djvu/147

 P LOYD

FLOYD

FLOYD, John, goveruor of Virginia, was born in Jeft'erson county, Va., April 24, ll^'i; son of Col. Jolm Floyd. He attended Dickinson college and studied medicine at the University of Penn- sylvania, 180-1-06, receiving his M.D. degree in 1806. He settled in Blacksburg, Moatgomery county, Va., was made justice of the [jeace, 1807; major in the state militia, 1808; surgeon in the Virginia line, 1813, and a member of the house of delegates the same year. He was promoted brigadier -general in the state militia and repre- sented his district in the 15tli-20th congi-esses inclusive, 1817-39. He was an advocate of states rights; opposed the administration of John Quincy Adams; advocated the occupation of Oregon in 1830; and the election of Andrew Jackson in 1838. He was governor of Virginia, 1830-34. During his administi'ation lie opposed the policy of President Jackson in the threatened nullification measures of South Carolina in 1833 and recommended a convention of the states, but did not justify nullification. He was the same year named by the delegation from South Caro- lina at the national Democratic convention as the choice of that state for the presidency. He put down the insurrection of 1833 among the slaves led by Gabriel Turner, and caused the ex- ecution of the leader. He was married to Letitia, daughter of Col. William Preston, an oflicer in the Revolutionary army, who was wounded at Guilford Court House, N.C. Governor Floyd died at Sweet Water Springs. Va., Aug. Li, 1837. FLOYD, John Buchanan, statesman, was born near Blacksburg, Va., June 1, 1807; son of John and Letitia (Preston) Floyd. He was graduated at South Carolina college in 1826 and became a lawyer. He resided near Helena, Ark., 1836-39, and practised law in Washington county, Va., 1839-57. He was a representative in the general assembly, is47-19and 18.53; gov- ernor of the .state, 1849-52; Democratic e'ector in 1856, and SI cretary of war un- il r President Bu- clianan, 1857-60. Ue lesigned his cabinet oflice in Decem- ber, 1860. on account the President sending reinforce- ments to the U.S. forces in Charleston har- lior. Having been accused of exercising his privilege while in office in favor of a jjrearranged plan for the secession of the southern states, and of providing an anticipated demand for arms and

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ammunition by overstocking southern arsenals he demanded from congress an investigation and sjieedy trial. A special committee of the house investigated the charges and declared them totally unfounded. After his departure from Washington he was indicted as privy to a ilefal- cation which had occurred in his department. Hearing of it at Abingdon, Va.. he returned to Washington, gave bail and demanded a trial, whereupon the prosecution was dropped. On the secession of Virginia he joined the Confederate aiTuy, was commissioned brigadier-general, and saw his first service at Carnifex Ferry, Va., Sept. 10, 1861, where he was wounded. He was tlien transferred to the west, and at Fort DoneLson, Feb. 14, 1863, reached the field after the engage- ment had begun. He declared the position untenable and recommended continuous hard fighting with preparation to retreat if necessary. He directed the liattle for two days, which re- sulted in driving back the Federal right and opening the road to retreat, but Genei'al Pillow, second in command, ordered his own division back to their original position, leaving General Floyd's brigade unsupported, and compelling it to return to the lines. He turned over the com- mand to Buckner and withdrew his brigade, the bulk of the Confederate forces being left under General Buckner, who capitulated to General Grant, Feb. 16, 1863. President Davis relieved both Floyd and Pillow of their commands, where- upon the state of Virginia conferred upon Floj'd the commission of major-general which he held till the failure of his health, due to the hardships of the service. He was married in his early manhood to his cousin, Sally Buchanan (1802-1879), daughter of Gen. Francis Preston, sister of Senator William C. and Gen. John S. Preston of South Carolina, niece of Patrick Henry of Virginia, and granddaughter of Gen. William Camjjbell, the hero of King's Mountain. Having no children they adopted Eliza M. John- ston, a relative, who became the wife of Robert W. Hughes of Norfolk, Va., judge of the U.S. dis- trict court. General Floyd died at Mrs. Hughes's home near Abingdon, Va., Aug. 26, 1863.

FLOYD, William, signer of the Declaration of Independence, was born in Brookliaven. Suffolk county, N.Y., Dec. 17, 1734; .son of NicoU Floyd; grandson of Richard Floyd; and great-grandson of Richard Floyd, who came from Wales in 1654. He was brought up on his father's farm, received a common school education, and became a far- mer. He was a delegate to the Continental congress, 1774-77 and 1778-83; deputy to the New Y'ork provincial convention of 1775; first dele- gate from New York to sign the Declaration of Independence, 1776; state senator, 1777-78, by appointment, and 1784-88 by election; major-