Bloodworth, Timothy, 1736-1814

Timothy James Bloodworth (1736 – August 24, 1814) was a slave owner, ardent patriot in the American Revolution, member of the Confederation Congress, vigorous anti-Federalist, U.S. congressman and senator, and collector of customs for the Port of Wilmington, North Carolina.

Born in New Hanover County in the Province of North Carolina, Bloodworth spent most of his life before the American Revolutionary War as a teacher. In 1776, he began making arms including muskets and bayonets for the Continental Army. In 1778 and 1779, he served as a member of the North Carolina state legislature. Following this, he held a number of political posts sequentially until serving as a delegate to the Continental Congress in 1786. He served as a member of the North Carolina Senate from 1788 to 1789 and as an Anti-Federalist delegate from New Hanover County to the Fayetteville Convention on the U.S. Constitution in 1789.

Bloodworth was elected to the First United States Congress as a member of the House of Representatives, serving from 1790 to 1791. After losing his bid for re-election, Bloodworth returned to the North Carolina state legislature, serving in the State House of Representatives from 1793 to 1794. In 1794, Bloodworth was elected to the United States Senate, where he served from 1795 to 1801. From 1801 until 1807, Bloodworth served as collector of customs in Wilmington, North Carolina. He died in Wilmington.