Background
Thomas Walker Gilmer was born on April 6, 1802, at “Gilmerton, ” Albemarle County, Virginia, to George - “the only male member of Dr. Gilmer’s family not distinguished for talents” - and Elizabeth (Hudson) Gilmer.
Thomas Walker Gilmer was born on April 6, 1802, at “Gilmerton, ” Albemarle County, Virginia, to George - “the only male member of Dr. Gilmer’s family not distinguished for talents” - and Elizabeth (Hudson) Gilmer.
Gilmer was passably educated by tutors, studied law, settled in Charlottesville, Virginia, and soon became known for his energy, ambition, legal talent, and rectitude.
In 1829, Gilmer was elected to the Virginia legislature and did such valuable work on committees that Gov. Floyd appointed him commissioner to prosecute Virginia’s Revolutionary claims upon the federal government.
In 1833, he was re-elected as an exponent of state’s rights and strict construction. When Jackson removed the deposits, Gilmer again bitterly assailed the administration and joined with other influential Democrats in forming the Whig party.
Defeated for the legislature in 1834 on account of his opposition to Jackson, he was reelected in 1835 and again in 1838 and 1839, serving as speaker of the House of Delegates during his last two terms and winning recognition, through his industry and eloquence, as “the most prominently useful member of the house”.
Gilmer was elected governor of Virginia, February 1840, on a Whig and conservative platform, and entered actively upon his duties. His administration was marked by his controversy with Gov. Seward of New York.
When Seward a second time refused the demand of the Virginia Assembly for the extradition of three men charged with slave-stealing in Virginia, the Assembly passed a law imposing restrictions on commerce between the two states.
Three days later, Seward demanded that Virginia surrender a felon wanted in New York, whereupon Gilmer replied that the fugitive would be surrendered when Virginia’s criminals were returned for trial.
The Virginia legislature declining to sustain Gilmer’s stand, in March 1841, he drew up an able vindication of himself and resigned the chair. He was immediately elected to Congress by the Whigs, taking his seat on May 31, 1841.
His activity in advocating the annexation of Texas led Thomas H. Benton to condemn his famous “Texas letter” unjustly as part of a scheme to win Calhoun the presidency, but Gilmer simply found in the Tyler program an agency to carry through a project which he had cherished since visiting Texas in 1837.
On February 1844, he was appointed secretary of the navy. Within two weeks he was killed by the explosion of the gun on board the steamer Princeton.
Gilmer successfully opposed the rechartering of the state banks.
He supported Jackson in 1828, editing the Virginia Advocate in his interest so brilliantly as to elicit the cordial approval of John Randolph, but condemned the President’s proclamation against South Carolina and asserted the right of secession as a last resort.
Gilmer 's assiduity in ferreting out abuses, in demanding the strictest governmental economy, and in recommending reforms in the civil service won him the sobriquet of Retrenchment Gilmer.
From the first, he resisted Clay-dictation and the chartering of a national bank, became one of that “corporal’s guard” which stanchly supported President Tyler, and ultimately came to be considered the spokesman of the administration in the House.
Quotes from others about the person
“What his indomitable energy would have done, ” wrote his colleague, Gov. Gilmer of Georgia - a none too amiable critic of his kinsfolk - “strengthened and directed as it was by purity of purpose and clear, strong, vigorous intellect, none can say. Judging by what he did, he would, if he had lived, have been the first man of his country as he was of his name”.
In 1826, Gilmer married Anne Baker, of Shepherdstown, Virginia.