Watkins Moorman Abbitt
| Watkins Moorman Abbitt | |
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia's 4th district |
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In office February 17, 1948 – January 3, 1973 |
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| Preceded by | Patrick H. Drewry |
| Succeeded by | Robert Daniel |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
May 21, 1908 Lynchburg, Virginia |
| Died | July 13, 1998 (aged 90) Lynchburg, Virginia |
| Resting place | Appomattox, Virginia |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Corinne Hancock (d. 1989) Mary Ann Schmidt |
| Children | Watkins Abbitt, Jr., Anne Abbitt Kerr, Corinne Abbitt Hynes |
| Alma mater | University of Richmond (LL.B.) |
| Profession | lawyer, Congressman |
| Religion | Baptist |
Watkins Moorman Abbitt (May 21, 1908 – July 13, 1998) (nicknamed "Wat") was an American politician and lawyer. He was a member of the United States House of Representatives from Virginia from February 17, 1948 to January 3, 1973. He was a top lieutenant within the Byrd Organization, the political machine named for its leader, U.S. Senator Harry F. Byrd.
Abbitt was born in Lynchburg, Virginia to George Francis Abbitt and Otway C. Moorman Abbitt. He graduated from Appomattox Agricultural High School in Appomattox, Virginia in 1925. He earned an LL.B. from the University of Richmond in 1931 and began the practice of law in Appomattox. He married Corinne Hancock on March 20, 1937, and they had a son and two daughters who survived infancy.
Upon admission to the Virginia bar, Abbitt had a private legal practice, and was also a bank executive. In 1931 he was elected Commonwealth's attorney for Appomattox County and served from 1932 to 1948. He also was elected member of the Virginia Constitutional Convention in 1945.
When U.S. Representative Patrick H. Drewry died in office, Abbit won the special election to fill the vacancy. A Democrat, Abbitt was reelected to the twelve succeeding Congresses (February 17, 1948 – January 3, 1973). He was a member of the agriculture committee, and supported farm subsidies as well as fiscal conservatism and opposed increased federal intervention in state affairs. Abbitt became known for his opposition to school desegregation in the 1950s, as the Byrd Organization advocated Massive Resistance. He was a delegate to the 1964 Democratic National Convention, and chairman of the state Democratic party from 1964-1970.
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