Pendleton, Edmund, 1721-1803

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Edmund Pendleton (September 9, 1721 – October 23, 1803) was a Virginia planter, politician, lawyer and judge, and a Founding Father of the United States. He served in the Virginia legislature before and during the American Revolutionary War, rising to the position of Speaker. Pendleton attended the First Continental Congress as one of Virginia's delegates alongside George Washington and Patrick Henry, signed the Continental Association, and led the conventions both wherein Virginia declared independence (1776) and adopted the U.S. Constitution (1788).

Born in Caroline County, he was apprenticed to Benjamin Robinson, clerk of the Caroline County Court, at the age of 14. In 1737, Pendleton was made clerk of the vestry of St. Mary’s Parish in Caroline; four years later, Pendleton received a license to practice law. His success before nearby county courts, including as the prosecuting attorney for Essex County allowed Pendleton to become a member of the General Court bar in October 1745. When attorneys were forbidden to practice before both courts, Pendleton chose the General Court, and wrapped up his lower court practice— which allowed him to accept appointment as a justice of the peace for Caroline County in 1751.

From 1752 to 1776, Pendleton represented Caroline County in the House of Burgesses. He was on the Virginia Committee of Correspondence in 1773 and was a delegate to Continental Congress from Virginia in 1774. Pendleton served as President of the Virginia Committee of Safety from August 16, 1775 to July 5, 1776 (effectively serving as governor of the colony), and as President of the Virginia Convention. Fellow delegates elected Pendleton the first Speaker of Virginia's new House of Delegates in 1777. He became Judge of the High Court of Chancery in 1777. When Virginia created a Supreme Court of Appeals in 1778, Pendleton was appointed its first president, and served until his death. In 1788, delegates unanimously selected Pendleton president of the Virginia Ratifying Convention.

Pendleton died in Richmond and after lying in state there he was buried at his home, Edmundsbury, in Caroline County. Due to the ravages of time upon the estate's buildings, his body was removed circa 1907 and moved to Bruton Parish Church in what became Colonial Williamsburg.

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Miller, Virginia. Papers of Leesburg, Va., families [manuscript] 1650, 1782-1926, 1961. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Rachal, William Munford Ellis, 1910-. Papers regarding Virginia history [manuscript] 1858-1968. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Spotswood, Alexander, ca. 1746-1818. Letter to Edmund Pendleton, 1775 November 16. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Henry, Patrick, 1736-1799. Letter to Edmund Pendleton, 21 October 1776 University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Bowyer-Hubard Papers, 1767-1816 Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library
creatorOf Cocke, John Hartwell, 1780-1866,. Papers of the Breckinridge and Gilmer families, 1746-1926. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Smith, Augustine, d. 1805. Smith-Digges papers, 1779-1839 and n.d. Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library
referencedIn Washington Irving's Life of George Washington Volume III, Miscellany, 1756-1807 Cornell University Library
creatorOf Arnold, Benedict, 1741-1801. Correspondence, 1772-1782. New-York Historical Society
creatorOf Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826. Letters to Edmund Pendleton, 18 January and 29 February [manuscript] 1784. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Spotswood, Alexander, ca. 1746-1818. Alexander Spotswood letter to Edmund Pendleton, 16 November, 1775. Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library
referencedIn Harford, James, d. ca. 1829. Papers of James Harford, 1763-1729 (bulk 1767-1805). Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens
referencedIn Cutts, Mary Estelle Elizabeth. Papers, ca.1855. Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
referencedIn Thomas Addis Emmet collection, 1483-1876 (bulk:1700-1800) New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
referencedIn Taylor, John, 1753-1824. Virginia documents, 1776-1791. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Pollard, William,. Miscellaneous Virginia papers [manuscript], 1790-1829. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn James Madison Papers, 1723-1859, (bulk 1771-1836) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
referencedIn Virginia Constitutional Ratification Convention, 1788. Proceedings of the Virginia Constitutional Ratification Convention, 1788 June 25-27. Library of Congress
referencedIn Harrison, Mary Bain, collector, d. 1989. Collection of manuscript items, 1756-1865. Library of Virginia
creatorOf Pendleton, Edmund, 1721-1803. ALS, 1778 November 16 : Caroline, to Col. William Preston, Montgomery. Copley Press, J S Copley Library
creatorOf Pendleton, Edmund, 1721-1803. Edmund Pendleton letters, 1776-1779 [manuscript]. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
creatorOf Taylor, John, 1753-1824. John Taylor of Caroline papers [manuscript], 1778-1794. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Letter to John Page, 1775 December 13 Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library
referencedIn David Shepherd Arithmetic Book, 1772-1780. Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library
creatorOf Edmund Pendleton Letters, ., 1776-1779 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. Southern Historical Collection
referencedIn Taylor family. Taylor family : papers, 1774-1918. The Filson Historical Society
creatorOf Byrd, William, 1674-1744. An exact copy of a plan of the town of Richmond : which appears to be taken in the life time of William Byrd the elder, father of the late William Byrd, the names of the possessors of the lots with the numbers annexed to them, was done by the said William Byrd the elder, as it can be proved to be his hand writing / copy from an exhibit filed in Seabrook vs. Byrd ; teste, Wm. W. Hening, C.C. Library of Virginia
creatorOf Pendleton, Edmund, 1721-1803. Taylor family genealogical notes. Library of Virginia
referencedIn William Fleming Collection, 1773-1802 Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library
creatorOf Pendleton, Edmund, 1721-1803. Letter : Caroline County, Va., to Richard Henry Lee 1778 July 27. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Harry Innes Papers, 1754-1900, (bulk 1780-1850) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
referencedIn Washington Irving's Life of George Washington Volume XII, Miscellany, 1769-1838 Cornell University Library
referencedIn Andrew Jackson Donelson Papers, 1779-1943, (bulk 1813-1869) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
creatorOf Letter to James Madison, 1799 May 12 Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library
referencedIn Stuart, Archibald, 1757-1832. Papers : of Archibald Stuart, 1786-1822. Virginia Historical Society Library
creatorOf Pendleton, Edmund, 1721-1803. Letter, 1799 May 12, Edmundsbury [Caroline County, Va.], to James Madison. Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library
creatorOf Pendleton, Edmund, 1721-1803. Letter : Richmond, to Francis Preston, Montgomery, 1790 July 12. Library of Virginia
creatorOf Henry, Patrick, 1736-1799. Patrick Henry letter to Edmund Pendleton [manuscript], 1776 October 21. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Mays, David John, 1896-1971. Papers : relating to the publication of his book, Edmund Pendleton, 1721-1803, a biography, 1950-1954. Virginia Historical Society Library
creatorOf Tazewell family. Papers, 1664 [1771-1805] 1842. Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library
creatorOf Carter-Blackford papers, 1736-1908 University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Pendleton, Edmund, 1721-1803. Taylor family genealogical notes. Library of Virginia
referencedIn Cabell Family Papers, 1693-1913, 1743-1823. Special Collections, College of William and Mary
creatorOf Pendleton, Edmund, 1721-1803. Letter to an unidentified recipient [manuscript] 1801 July 3. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Pendleton, Edmund, 1721-1803. Letter to John Page [manuscript], 1790 July 21. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Edmund Pendleton Letter, 1786 October 27 Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library
referencedIn Mays, David John, 1896-1971. Diary, 1914-1971. Virginia Historical Society Library
referencedIn Page family. Papers, 1777-1822. William & Mary Libraries
referencedIn Speed family. Speed family : papers, 1751-1921. The Filson Historical Society
creatorOf Pendleton, Edmund, 1721-1803. Letter : to Thomas Jefferson, 1799 February 24. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Burke, Thomas. Letters, 1776, 1782. Duke University Libraries, Duke University Library; Perkins Library
creatorOf Pendleton, Edmund, 1721-1803. Edmund Pendleton letter to Richard Henry Lee [manuscript], 1778 July 27. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Sparks, Jared, 1789-1866. Jared Sparks collection of American manuscripts, 1582-1843 Houghton Library
referencedIn Pendleton, Nathaniel, 1756-1821. Nathaniel Pendleton family papers, 1716-1853 (inclusive), 1782-1817 (bulk). Yale University Library
referencedIn Gratz, Simon. Alphabetical collection, 1677-1910. Historical Society of Pennsylvania
creatorOf Taylor, John, 1753-1824. John Taylor papers, 1778. Library of Congress
creatorOf Pendleton, Edmund, 1721-1803. Taylor family genealogical notes. Library of Virginia
creatorOf Overton family. Overton family papers, 1727-1918, 1781-1875. William & Mary Libraries
referencedIn Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826. Papers, 1775-1825. American Philosophical Society Library
referencedIn Edward Dixon Papers, 1743-1808, (bulk 1750-1775) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
referencedIn Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826. Letter, 1784 January 18, Annapolis to Edmund Pendleton, Caroline. Library of Virginia
referencedIn Alexander Spotswood letter to Edmund Pendleton, 1775 November 16 Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library
referencedIn Washington Irving's Life of George Washington Volume II, miscellany, 1755-1831 Cornell University Library
creatorOf Cabell, William, 1700-1774. Cabell family papers, 1693-1913, 1743-1823. William & Mary Libraries
creatorOf Pendleton, Edmund, 1721-1803. Papers, 1772-1800. Library of Virginia
creatorOf Pendleton, Eugene R. Genealogical notes, 1914-1944. William & Mary Libraries
creatorOf Muse, George. Lease, 1777 October 13, Virginia [to] Battaile Muse. William & Mary Libraries
referencedIn Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826. Cipher codes, 1781-1802. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Carter, Charles, 1733-1796. Letter, 1783 August 23, to Edmund Pendleton, Caroline [Co., Va.]. William & Mary Libraries
creatorOf George Washington collection [Mount Vernon], 1654-1799 George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon
creatorOf Lee, Robert E. (Robert Edward), 1807-1870. Memorandum : to Edmund Pendleton, 1869 April. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Adams, Stephen, 1835-. Papers of the Barbour family [manuscript], 1793-1941. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Virginia. Committee of Safety. Virginia Committee of Safety letter to Patrick Henry, 1775 November 15. Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library
referencedIn United States Constitution Collection, 1773-1944, (bulk 1787-1919) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
referencedIn Frederick M. Dearborn collection of military and political Americana, Part I: The Revolution and the Administration, 1669-1958. Houghton Library
creatorOf Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826. Letter (extract) to Edmund Pendleton [manuscript], 1776 August 26. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Robinson Family Papers, 1684-1915. Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library
creatorOf Bernard, Simon, 1779-1839. Bowyer-Hubard Papers, 1767-1782 and 1816. Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library
creatorOf Pendleton, Edmund, 1721-1803. History of Col. John Taylor of Caroline County, Virginia and Communication, 1800. Library of Virginia
creatorOf Pendleton, Edmund, 1721-1803. Letter, 1786 Oct[obe]r 27, Caroline [Co., Va.] to Richard Gaines, Culpeper [Co., Va.]. Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library
creatorOf Pendleton, Edmund, 1721-1803. Letter of Edmund Pendleton, 1776. Library of Congress
referencedIn Thomas Jefferson papers, 1775-1825, 1775-1825 American Philosophical Society
referencedIn Badeau, Adam. Tucker-Ewell papers, 1770-1893, 1770-1818. Library of Virginia
referencedIn Nathaniel Pendleton Family papers, 1716-1853 Yale University. Department of Manuscripts and Archives
referencedIn Innes, Harry, 1752-1816. Harry Innes : papers, 1750-1816. The Filson Historical Society
creatorOf Wickham, John, 1763-1839. Letters, 1795-1838. Library of Virginia
creatorOf Pendleton, Nathaniel, 1756-1821. Nathaniel Pendleton papers, 1767-1867. Churchill County Museum
creatorOf Mason, George, 1725-1792. Plan settled by the Committee of Revisors in Fredricksburg January 1777, 1777 January 13. Library of Virginia
referencedIn Cutts, Mary Estelle Elizabeth. Papers, ca.1855. Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
referencedIn George Washington papers, 1592-1943 Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
referencedIn James Monroe correspondence [manuscript], 1780,1823. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Taliaferro, Zacharias. Zacharias Taliaferro family papers, ca. 1788, 1804, 1815-1840, 1901. Clemson University Libraries, Robert Muldrow Cooper Library
referencedIn Papers, 1664-1842. Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library
referencedIn Nathaniel Pendleton Papers, 1767-1867 New-York Historical Society
referencedIn George Washington papers, 1592-1943 Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
creatorOf Pendleton, Edmund, 1721-1803. Letter, 1793. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
referencedIn Shepherd, David. Arithmetic book, [1772?]-1780. Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library
creatorOf Pendleton, Edmund, 1721-1803. Letter, 1774 July 28, [Williamsburg, Va.], to Ralph Wormeley, "Rosegill," [Middlesex County, Va.]. Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library
creatorOf Gwathmey collection, 1708-1852 University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Harrison, Mary Bain, collector, d.1989. Collection of manuscript items, 1756-1865. Library of Virginia
referencedIn Coles, Elizabeth Pendleton. Elizabeth Pendleton Coles papers, 1791-1889. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
creatorOf Daniel, Robert Williams, 1936-. Collection : of Robert Williams Daniel, 1776-1882. Virginia Historical Society Library
creatorOf Madison, James, 1751-1836. Papers of James Madison [manuscript], 1765-1836, n.d. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Spotswood, Alexander, ca. 1746-1818. Letter to Edmund Pendleton [manuscript], 1775 November 16. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Pendleton, Edmund, 1721-1803. Letter, 1776 March 16, [Williamsburg, Va.], to William Woodford, Caroline [Co., Va.]. Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library
creatorOf Astor, William Waldorf Astor, Viscount, 1848-1919,. Collection of miscellaneous letters [manuscript], 1785-1916. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Pendleton, Edmond. Papers, 1776 Feb. 9. Ohio History Connection, Ohio Historical Society
referencedIn Anderson, James. Papers of the Baylor family of Newmarket, Caroline County, Va, in part transcripts: [manuscript], 1653-1915. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Edmund Pendleton Letters, 1773-1800 Library of Virginia
referencedIn Additional papers of the Watson family [manuscript] 1791-1830. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Pendleton, Edmund, 1721-1803. Letter, 1775 December 13, to John Page. Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library
creatorOf Pendleton, Edmund, 1721-1803. Copy of will of Edmund Pendleton of Edmundsburg, Virginia, 1799. Library of Virginia
referencedIn Adams family. Papers, 1672-1792. Section 6. Virginia Historical Society Library
referencedIn Benedict Arnold Letter Volume, 1772-1782 New-York Historical Society
creatorOf Virginia. Committee of Safety. Proposal by the Virginia Committee of Safety [manuscript], 1776 May 3. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Richard Henry Lee Papers, 1763-1823 American Philosophical Society
creatorOf Spotswood, Alexander, ca. 1746-1818. Alexander Spotswood, letter, to Edmund Pendleton, 1775 November 16. Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library
referencedIn Wood, James, fl. 1750. Papers of James Wood and the Wood family [manuscript] 1736-1892. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Washington, George, 1732-1799. George Washington papers, 1592-1937 (bulk 1748-1799). Library of Congress
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
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associatedWith Carter, Charles, 1733-1796. person
associatedWith Coles, Elizabeth Pendleton. person
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associatedWith Dixon, Edward. person
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associatedWith Dr. William Cabell person
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associatedWith Emmet, Thomas Addis person
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associatedWith Gratz, Simon. person
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associatedWith Harrison, Mary Bain, collector, d. 1989. person
associatedWith Henry, Patrick, 1736-1799. person
associatedWith Howe, Robert, 1732-1786. person
associatedWith Innes, Harry, 1752-1816. person
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associatedWith Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826. person
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associatedWith Lee, Charles, 1731-1782. person
associatedWith Lee, Richard Henry, 1732-1794 person
associatedWith Lee, Robert E. (Robert Edward), 1807-1870. person
associatedWith Lewis, Andrew, 1720-1781. person
correspondedWith Madison, James, 1751-1836. person
associatedWith Mason, George, 1725-1792. person
associatedWith Mays, David John, 1896-1971. person
associatedWith Muse, George. person
associatedWith Nicholas, Robert Carter, 1728-1780. person
associatedWith Overton family. family
associatedWith Page family. family
associatedWith Page, John, 1744-1808. person
auntOrUncleOf Pendleton, Edmund, 1744-1827. person
relativeOf Pendleton, Edmund Jr., b. 1774. person
associatedWith Pendleton, Eugene R. person
associatedWith Pendleton, John, b. 1834. person
auntOrUncleOf Pendleton, Nathaniel, 1756-1821 person
associatedWith Pendleton, Nathaniel, 1756-1821. person
auntOrUncleOf Penn, John, 1741-1788 person
associatedWith Pitt, William, Earl of Chatham, 1708-1778 person
associatedWith Preston, Francis, 1765-1836. person
associatedWith Preston, William. person
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associatedWith Slaughter, Philip, fl. 1786 person
associatedWith Smith, Augustine, d. 1805. person
associatedWith Sparks, Jared, 1789-1866 person
associatedWith Speed family. family
associatedWith Spotswood, Alexander, ca. 1746-1818. person
associatedWith Stuart, Archibald, 1757-1832. person
associatedWith Taliaferro, Zacharias. person
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auntOrUncleOf Taylor, John, 1753-1824 person
associatedWith Taylor, John, 1753-1824. person
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associatedWith United States. Congress corporateBody
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memberOf United States. Continental Congress corporateBody
associatedWith Vance, Samuel. person
associatedWith Virginia. Committee of Safety. corporateBody
associatedWith Virginia Constitutional Ratification Convention, 1788. corporateBody
memberOf Virginia. Supreme Court corporateBody
correspondedWith Washington, George, 1732-1799. person
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associatedWith Wickham, John, 1763-1839. person
associatedWith Willard, Henry A., 1822-1909, person
associatedWith William Cabell, Jr. person
associatedWith William Fleming. person
associatedWith Woodford, William, 1721-1803. person
associatedWith Woodford, William, 1734-1780. person
associatedWith Wood, James, fl. 1750. person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Richmond VA US
Caroline County VA US
Subject
Slavery
Executors and administrators
Executors and administrators
Canadian Invasion, 1775-1776
Court records
Courts
Extinguishment of debts
Foreign ministers
Land use
Lead industry and trade
Lead mines and mining
Legislators
Legislators
Money
New Gate Plantation (Va.)
Slaves
Wills
Wills
Occupation
Delegates, U.S. Continental Congress
Jurists
Justices of the peace
Lawyers
Planter
Public officials
State Representative
Activity

Person

Birth 1721-09-09

Death 1803-10-23

Male

Britons,

Americans

English

Information

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