Robert Witherspoon

Robert Witherspoon (January 29, 1767 – October 11, 1837) was a U.S. Representative from South Carolina, great-great-grandfather of Robert Witherspoon Hemphill.

Robert Witherspoon
Member of the South Carolina Senate from Claremont District
In office
November 27, 1821 – December 20, 1821
Preceded byCharles Miller
Succeeded byStephen Decatur Miller
Member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from Williamsburg District
In office
November 24, 1806 – June 29, 1808
In office
November 22, 1802 – May 16, 1804
In office
November 26, 1792 – May 12, 1794
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from South Carolina's 3rd district
In office
March 4, 1809 – March 3, 1811
Preceded byDavid R. Williams
Succeeded byDavid R. Williams
Treasurer of South Carolina
In office
1800–1802
GovernorJohn Drayton
Personal details
Born(1767-01-29)January 29, 1767
Kingstree, South Carolina
DiedOctober 11, 1837(1837-10-11) (aged 70)
Mayesville, South Carolina
Political partyDemocratic-Republican
Professionplanter, politician

Witherspoon was born near Kingstree, South Carolina as the son of a Scots-Irish father, Robert Witherspoon (1728–1778) who was born in County Down, Northern Ireland and settled in the Province of South Carolina. His mother was Elizabeth Heathly Witherspoon (1740–1820), who was born in South Carolina. Robert Witherspoon attended local schools.

Witherspoon was elected State treasurer in 1800 and served one term. He was a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from 1792 to 1794 from 1802 to 1804 and from 1806 to 1808.

Witherspoon was elected as a Democratic-Republican to the Eleventh Congress (March 4, 1809 – March 3, 1811). He declined to be a candidate for reelection. He had large planting interests in Sumter County, South Carolina. He opposed the nullification act in 1832. He died near Mayesville, South Carolina, October 11, 1837. He was interred in the Salem Brick Church Cemetery.

Sources
  • United States Congress. "Robert Witherspoon (id: W000661)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by
David R. Williams		 Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from South Carolina's 3rd congressional district
1809–1811		 Succeeded by
David R. Williams
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