Christopher Thomas

For other people named Christopher Thomas, see Christopher Thomas (disambiguation).

Christopher Thomas
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 5th district
In office March 5, 1874 – March 3, 1875
Preceded by	Alexander Davis
Succeeded by	George Cabell
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates from Henry County
In office 1869–1871
Preceded by	George W. Booker
Succeeded by	George W. Booker
Member of the Virginia Senate from Henry, Patrick and Franklin Counties
In office 1860–1863
Preceded by	George Hairston
Succeeded by	Peter Saunders
Personal details
Born	March 24, 1818 Pittsylvania County, Virginia
Died	February 11, 1879(1879-02-11) (aged 60) Martinsville, Virginia
Resting place	Leatherwood, Virginia
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Mary Ann Reamey
Children	Faith, Hope, Jane, Susan, Katherine, Archie, Frank, John, Starling
Residence	Leatherwood plantation
Profession	lawyer

Christopher Yancy Thomas (March 24, 1818 – February 11, 1879) was a politician and lawyer from Virginia. He served brief terms in the Virginia Senate, Virginia House and U.S. House of Representatives.

Early and family life

Born in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, Thomas attended local schools as a child and went on to graduate from a private academy in 1838.

Career

Thomas read law and was admitted to the bar in 1844, commencing practice in Martinsville, Virginia. He served in the Confederate Virginia Senate from 1860 to 1864 and was member of the commission to settle the boundary line between Virginia and North Carolina.

Thomas also served as prosecuting attorney for Henry County, Virginia (surrounding Martinsville), and in 1867 was elected to serve the Virginia Constitutional Convention of 1868. After approval of the new state Constitution (and rejection of a proposed provision forbidding former Confederates from holding office), Thomas served in the Virginia House of Delegates in 1869, both succeeding fellow Confederate delegate and Conservative George W. Booker and being succeeded by him.

In 1872, Thomas ran as a Republican for the United States House of Representatives for Virginia's 5th district. He ran against former Confederate officer and Conservative Democrat Alexander Davis, who was initially declared the victor, but Thomas contested the result and was seated. However, Thomas served only a single term from 1874 to 1875, losing his reelection bid in 1874 to Democrat George Cabell, another lawyer and former Confederate officer active in railroad promotion.

Death and legacy

Thomas resumed practicing law until his death in Martinsville, Virginia on February 11, 1879. He was interred in the family cemetery on Leatherwood plantation.

External links

• United States Congress. "Christopher Thomas (id: T000161)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.