Clerk Information:
- Full Name: James Pleasants Jr.
- Served: 1802 - 1811
- Bio Information: Born at “Contention”, Goochland County, Va., October 24, 1769. Died at his residence in Goochland County, Va., November 9, 1836. Buried at “Contention”, Goochland County, Va. James Pleasants, Jr. was the son of James and Anne (Randolph Scott-Pleasants) Pleasants of “Contention”, Goochland County. He was a first cousin of Thomas Jefferson through his mother. He attended the College of William and Mary about 1785, and studied law under judge Fleming. He was sworn in as an attorney at law in the Chesterfield Court in 1790. He was a member of the House of Delegates, 1797-1802, before he became its Cleric. He declined appointment to the General Court, June 24, 1809, and was elected judge of the Supreme Court of Appeals of Virginia, January 30, 1811, but resigned February 23, 1811. He was a member of the U. S. House of Representatives, 1811-19; U. S. Senator, 1819-22; Governor of Virginia, 1822-25; and member of the Constitutional Convention of 1829-30. His son, John Hampden Pleasants, was founder and chief editor of the Richmond Constitutional Whig for twenty-two years. He married, May 8, 1790, in Chesterfield County, Susanna L. Rose, daughter of Colonel Hugh and Caroline Matilda (Jordan) Rose. Portrait, copy of portrait by Chester Harding, in the State Capitol at Richmond. While he was Clerk of the House, the Speakers were EDMUND HARRISON, HUGH HOLMES, PETER JOHNSTON, JR., HUGH NELSON, and JAMES BARBOUR.
*The information within this interactive and searchable application has been researched extensively by the House Clerk’s Office. As with any historical records of this age and breadth, there may be discrepancies and/or inconsistencies within records obtained from a variety of credible sources. Any feedback is encouraged at history@house.virginia.gov.