Robert Miller Patton
Robert Miller Patton served as the governor of Alabama from 1865 to 1867. He is best known for issuing Patton Certificates to help impoverished Alabama citizens after the Civil War ended.
Political career
Patton was elected to the Alabama legislature in 1832 and served during a special legislative session in 1837. The special session was called to help alleviate a financial depression. During his early political years Patton belonged to the Whig political party but later joined the Republican Party. He continued to serve in the legislative branch up until 1861. He was twice elected president of the Alabama senate.[1][2]
He was elected Alabama's 20th governor on November 6, 1865, and was inaugurated on December 13, 1865. During his inaugural address, Patton noted how Alabama lacked industrialization as Alabama was an agrarian state. Patton said the situation was "peculiarly embarrassing," during his inaugural address.[3] [4]
After the Civil War ended, Patton worked closely with theFreedman's Bureau during the Reconstruction period. He later served, as a figurehead governor once Major General John Pope was charged with the Third Military District while General Wager Swayne was the commanding officer for Alabama. Patton advised or made recommendations to Swayne as he could not take any formal political action.[5]
Civil War
He did not support leaving the Union, but once the Confederacy was formed, he supported the effort financially and by serving as a commissioner for the Confederacy.
His family lost two sons during the Civil War: Robert W. Miller was killed at the Battle of Selma while William A. Patton was killed at the Battle of Shiloh.[6]
Patton's family also suffered financial losses after their plantation Sweetwater Mansion was invaded by soldiers from William Tecumsah Sherman's 15 United States Army Corps briefly held the family hostage November 3, 1863.
Business
Patton moved to Florence, Alabama in 1829 where he ran a plantation that had over 4,000 acres and employed 300 slaves.He also helped develop several Alabama railroads.[7][8]
Education
After the Civil War, he helped rebuild the University of Alabama that was burned by United States federal troops during the Civil War. He served as a trustee for several schools including the University of Alabama.
Personal life
Patton married Jane Locke Braham on January 31, 1832. She was the daughter of General John Brahan. The couple had nine children.
Born in Russell County Virginia on July 10, 1809, he later moved with his parents William Patton and Martha Lee Hayes to Huntsville, Alabama where he attended the Green Academy.[9]
Patton died on February 28, 1885, at Sweetwater Mansion. He was buried at the Maple Hill Cemetery in Huntsville, Alabama.[10]
References
- ↑ National Governor's Association Alabama Governor Robert Miller Patton. Retrieved on 2012-06-28.
- ↑ Encylopedia of Alabama Robert M. Patton. Retrieved on 2012-06-29.
- ↑ National Governor's Association Alabama Governor Robert Miller Patton. Retrieved on 2012-06-28.
- ↑ Encylopedia of Alabama Robert M. Patton. Retrieved on 2012-06-29.
- ↑ National Governor's Association Alabama Governor Robert Miller Patton. Retrieved on 2012-06-28.
- ↑ William A. Patton. Retrieved on 2012-06-28.
- ↑ Encylopedia of Alabama Robert M. Patton. Retrieved on 2012-06-29.
- ↑ National Governor's Association Alabama Governor Robert Miller Patton. Retrieved on 2012-06-28.
- ↑ “Robert M. Patton”, The Governors of Alabama. Retrieved on 2012-06-28.
- ↑ Find A Grave.com Robert Miller Patton. Retrieved on 2012-06-28.