Politician, and Acting Governor of Virginia. Rutherfoord graduated from Princeton University in 1816 and was admitted to the bar in Richmond. That year he married Emily Ann Coles of Albemarle County. He served in the Richmond Fayette Artillery militia unit, eventually becoming its commanding officer. In 1836 he was a founder and later president of the Mutual Assurance Society, Virginia's first insurance company.
As a Democrat, he represented Richmond in the Virginia House of Delegates from 1826 to 1834, then became a member of the state Executive Council in 1839. As its senior member, he was selected in March 1841 to serve during the term of elected Governor Thomas Walker Gilmer, who had resigned to take a seat in Congress. Of particular note, Rutherfoord in that office helped resolve a conflict with Governor William H. Seward of New York regarding New York's attempted extradition of a fugitive who had transported enslaved persons from Virginia.
Rutherfoord resigned as Acting Governor in March 31, 1842 and was succeeded by Executive Council member John Munford Gregory, who completed the term to which Gilmer had been elected. Rutherfoord then returned to his various business interests.
As a Democrat, he represented Richmond in the Virginia House of Delegates from 1826 to 1834, then became a member of the state Executive Council in 1839. As its senior member, he was selected in March 1841 to serve during the term of elected Governor Thomas Walker Gilmer, who had resigned to take a seat in Congress. Of particular note, Rutherfoord in that office helped resolve a conflict with Governor William H. Seward of New York regarding New York's attempted extradition of a fugitive who had transported enslaved persons from Virginia.
Rutherfoord resigned as Acting Governor in March 31, 1842 and was succeeded by Executive Council member John Munford Gregory, who completed the term to which Gilmer had been elected. Rutherfoord then returned to his various business interests.
Politician, and Acting Governor of Virginia. Rutherfoord graduated from Princeton University in 1816 and was admitted to the bar in Richmond. That year he married Emily Ann Coles of Albemarle County. He served in the Richmond Fayette Artillery militia unit, eventually becoming its commanding officer. In 1836 he was a founder and later president of the Mutual Assurance Society, Virginia's first insurance company.
As a Democrat, he represented Richmond in the Virginia House of Delegates from 1826 to 1834, then became a member of the state Executive Council in 1839. As its senior member, he was selected in March 1841 to serve during the term of elected Governor Thomas Walker Gilmer, who had resigned to take a seat in Congress. Of particular note, Rutherfoord in that office helped resolve a conflict with Governor William H. Seward of New York regarding New York's attempted extradition of a fugitive who had transported enslaved persons from Virginia.
Rutherfoord resigned as Acting Governor in March 31, 1842 and was succeeded by Executive Council member John Munford Gregory, who completed the term to which Gilmer had been elected. Rutherfoord then returned to his various business interests.
As a Democrat, he represented Richmond in the Virginia House of Delegates from 1826 to 1834, then became a member of the state Executive Council in 1839. As its senior member, he was selected in March 1841 to serve during the term of elected Governor Thomas Walker Gilmer, who had resigned to take a seat in Congress. Of particular note, Rutherfoord in that office helped resolve a conflict with Governor William H. Seward of New York regarding New York's attempted extradition of a fugitive who had transported enslaved persons from Virginia.
Rutherfoord resigned as Acting Governor in March 31, 1842 and was succeeded by Executive Council member John Munford Gregory, who completed the term to which Gilmer had been elected. Rutherfoord then returned to his various business interests.
Bio by: Jeffry Burden
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