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Robert M. Charlton

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Robert Milledge Charlton
United States Senator
from Georgia
In office
May 31, 1852 – March 3, 1853
Preceded byJohn M. Berrien
Succeeded byRobert Toombs
27th mayor of Savannah, Georgia
In office
1839–1841
Preceded byMatthew Hall McAllister
Succeeded byWilliam Thorne Williams
Member of the Georgia House of Representatives
In office
1828
Personal details
Born(1807-01-19)January 19, 1807
Savannah, Georgia
DiedJanuary 18, 1854(1854-01-18) (aged 46)
Savannah, Georgia
Political partyDemocratic

Robert Milledge Charlton (January 19, 1807 – January 18, 1854) was an American politician and jurist. He served as a Senator representing Georgia from 1852 to 1853.

Charlton was born in Savannah, Georgia, on January 19, 1807, to Thomas Charlton, future two-time mayor of Savannah, and Emily Walter. His mother died before he reached the age of two.[1] A lawyer by training, Charlton served in various positions at the city and state level in addition to his U.S. Senate term. He was a member of the Georgia House of Representatives (1828), and he was appointed and subsequently elected a judge of the Eastern Circuit of Georgia in 1832. Charlton was also appointed as a United States District Attorney.

He was appointed as a Democrat to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of John M. Berrien. Charlton had previously served as the mayor of Savannah from 1839 to 1841. Charlton's father, Thomas Usher Pulaski Charlton, had previously served as the appointed mayor of Savannah in 1815 and again in 1819.

In 1829 Robert Charlton married Margaret Shick. Charlton ward, Savannah and Charlton County, Georgia are named after him. Charlton died in Savannah on January 18, 1854, the day before his 47th birthday, and is buried in Laurel Grove Cemetery in that city.

He was also a slave owner. In 1830, he owned 3 slaves.[2][non-primary source needed] In 1840, he owned 14 slaves.[3][non-primary source needed] In 1850, he owned 13 slaves.[4][non-primary source needed]

References

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  1. ^ A Standard History of Georgia and Georgians, Volume 6. Lewis Publishing Company. 1917. p. 3055.
  2. ^ 1830 United States Census, United States census, 1830; Oglethorpe Ward, Savannah, Chatham, Georgia;. Retrieved on 6 March 2016.
  3. ^ 1840 United States Census, United States census, 1840; Savannah, Chatham, Georgia;. Retrieved on 6 March 2016.
  4. ^ "1850 United States Census, Slave Schedules", United States census, 1850; District 13, Chatham, Georgia;. Retrieved on 6 March 2016.
[edit]

Media related to Robert M. Charlton at Wikimedia Commons

U.S. Senate
Preceded by U.S. senator (Class 2) from Georgia
May 31, 1852 – March 3, 1853
Served alongside: William C. Dawson
Succeeded by