Thomas Walker Gilmer
| Thomas W. Gilmer | |
|---|---|
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| 15th United States Secretary of the Navy | |
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In office February 19, 1844 – February 28, 1844 |
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| President | John Tyler |
| Preceded by | David Henshaw |
| Succeeded by | John Y. Mason |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 5th district |
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In office March 4, 1843 – February 16, 1844 |
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| Preceded by | Edmund W. Hubard |
| Succeeded by | William L. Goggin |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 12th district |
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In office March 4, 1841 – March 4, 1843 |
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| Preceded by | James Garland |
| Succeeded by | Augustus A. Chapman |
| 28th Governor of Virginia | |
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In office March 31, 1840 – March 20, 1841 |
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| Preceded by | David Campbell |
| Succeeded by | James McDowell |
| Member of the Virginia House of Delegates from Albemarle County | |
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In office 1838–1840 Alongside Valentine W. Southall |
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In office 1835 Alongside Valentine W. Southall |
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In office 1832–1833 Alongside Thomas Jefferson Randolph, Valentine W. Southall |
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In office 1829–1830 Alongside Rice W. Wood |
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| 18th Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates | |
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In office 1839–1840 |
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| Preceded by | Linn Banks |
| Succeeded by | Valentine W. Southall |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
April 6, 1802 Albemarle County, Virginia |
| Died | February 28, 1844 (aged 41) aboard USS Princeton, Potomac River, Maryland |
| Political party | Whig (until 1842) |
| Other political affiliations |
Democrat (after 1842) |
| Spouse(s) | Anne Elizabeth Baker |
| Children | George Hudson Gilmer |
| Profession | Politician, Lawyer |
Thomas Walker Gilmer (April 6, 1802 – February 28, 1844) was an American statesman. He served in an number of political positions in Virginia, including election as the 28th Governor of Virginia. Gilmer's final political office was as the 15th Secretary of the Navy, but he died in an accident ten days after assuming that position.
Gilmer was born to George and Eliza Gilmer at their farm, "Gilmerton", in Albemarle County, Virginia. He was taught by private tutors in Charlottesville and Staunton, and studied law in Liberty (now Bedford), Virginia.
Gilmer practiced law in Charlottesville. He was, briefly, editor of the Virginia Advocate, a Charlottesville newspaper.
On May 23, 1826, Gilmer married Anne Elizabeth Baker of Shepherdstown, now in West Virginia. Her late father, John Baker, had been a member of the United States House of Representatives. They had a son, George Hudson Gilmer, a Presbyterian minister.
In 1829, Gilmer purchased Israel Jefferson, a former slave of Thomas Jefferson, who is best known for claiming that Sally Hemings was Thomas Jefferson's concubine. Gilmer later agreed to let Israel pay his own purchase price for his freedom after Gilmer's election to congress, as Israel desired to stay with his wife, a free woman.
Gilmer first served in the Virginia House of Delegates from 1829–36, representing Albemarle County. He returned in 1839-40 and was named Speaker.
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