Asa Biggs

Template:Short description Template:Redirect Template:Infobox officeholder Asa Biggs (February 4, 1811 – March 6, 1878) was an American attorney, politician, and jurist who served as a member of both chambers of the United States Congress and as a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Albemarle, Cape Fear and Pamptico Districts of North Carolina.

Education and career

Born on February 4, 1811, in Williamston, Martin County, North Carolina,<ref name="auto">Template:FJC Bio</ref> Biggs attended the common schools and pursued classical studies, then read law in 1831.<ref name="auto"/> He was admitted to the bar and entered private practice in Williamston from 1831 to 1845, and from 1847 to 1854.<ref name="auto"/> In 1832, he married Martha Elizabeth Andrews; they had 10 children, 2 of which died in infancy.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite book</ref> Biggs owned "several slaves" as a result of his marriage.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite book</ref>

He was a delegate to the North Carolina constitutional convention in 1835.<ref name="auto" /> He was a member of the North Carolina House of Commons (now the North Carolina House of Representatives) from 1840 to 1842.<ref name="auto" /> He was a member of the North Carolina Senate from 1844 to 1845.<ref name="auto" />

Congressional service

Biggs was elected as a Democrat from North Carolina's 9th congressional district to the United States House of Representatives of the 29th United States Congress, serving from March 4, 1845, to March 3, 1847.<ref name="auto1">Template:CongBio</ref> He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1846.<ref name="auto1"/> He was a member of a commission to codify North Carolina laws in 1851 along with Bartholomew F. Moore and Romulous M. Saunders.<ref name="auto1"/><ref name=":1">Template:Cite news</ref> He was elected as a Democrat to the United States Senate and served from March 4, 1855, until May 5, 1858, when he resigned to accept a federal judicial post.<ref name="auto1"/>

Federal judicial service

Biggs was nominated by President James Buchanan on May 3, 1858, to a seat on the United States District Court for the Albemarle, Cape Fear and Pamptico Districts of North Carolina (also referenced officially as the United States District Court for the District of North Carolina) vacated by Judge Henry Potter.<ref name="auto"/> He was confirmed by the United States Senate on May 3, 1858, and received his commission the same day.<ref name="auto"/> His service terminated on April 23, 1861, due to his resignation.<ref name="auto"/>

Later career and death

Biggs was a member of the secession convention of North Carolina in 1861.<ref name="auto1"/> Following his resignation from the federal bench, Biggs served as a Judge of the Confederate District Court for the District of North Carolina from 1861 to 1865.<ref name="auto"/> He resumed private practice in Tarboro, Edgecombe County, North Carolina, from 1865 to 1868.<ref name="auto"/> He continued private practice and was a businessman in Norfolk, Virginia, from 1868 to 1878.<ref name="auto"/> He died on March 6, 1878, in Norfolk.<ref name="auto"/> He was interred in Elmwood Cemetery in Norfolk.<ref name="auto1"/>

Autobiography

During the American Civil War, Biggs took refuge at Dalkeith near the unincorporated community of Arcola,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Warren County, North Carolina, where he wrote his autobiography.<ref name = nrhpinv>Template:Cite web</ref>

Asa Biggs House

File:Asa Biggs historical marker 83d40m West Main and North Smithwick Streets Williamston North Carolina.jpg

Historical marker, Williamston, North Carolina

The Asa Biggs House and Site at Williamston was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.<ref name="nris">Template:NRISref</ref>Template:Clear

Sources

• Dictionary of American Biography; Biggs, Asa. Autobiography of Asa Biggs, Including a Journal of a Trip from North Carolina to New York in 1832. Edited by Robert D. W. Connor. North Carolina Historical Commission Publications. Bulletin No. 19. Raleigh: * Edwards and Broughton Printing Company, 1915.
• Template:FJC Bio

• Autobiography of Asa Biggs, Including a Journal of a Trip from North Carolina to New York in 1832. Raleigh, [N.C.]: Edwards & Broughton, 1915.