Joseph Eggleston - Political Career

Political Career

Eggleston was elected to the Virginia state House of Delegates several times as a representative for Amelia County. In all he served thirteen years in the House (1785–88 and 1791–99). He was in the state Senate when U.S. Congressman William B. Giles resigned that post on October 2, 1798. In a special election, Eggleston won the rest of the term. Then he won the regular election for the next term, to serve in the U.S. House in the Sixth Congress.

Eggleston declined to be nominated in 1800, so his service in Congress extended from December 3, 1798 to March 3, 1801. He returned home, but was made a Justice of the Peace for Amelia County, and held that post until he died in 1811. Joseph died at home and was buried in the Churchyard of St. John's Episcopal Church. The church was also known as St. John's of Grub Hill, and the cemetery is now known as the Grub Hill Cemetery.

The main house at Egglestetton still stands in Egglestetton Road (Route 630) about 4 km north of Amelia Court House. The home is on the National Register of Historic Places but is a private residence. The Civil War general, Joseph Eggleston Johnston, was named for him, since Johnston's father had served in Eggleston's command in the Revolution.