Virginia. Governor (1849-1852 : Floyd)

John B. Floyd was the 30th governor of Virginia, serving from January 1, 1849 to January 16, 1852.

From the guide to the Land Grant to John Swank, 1849 March 31, (John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation)

John Buchanan Floyd was the son of former governor John Floyd and Letitia Preston Floyd. Born at his family's estate of Smithfield in Blacksburg, Virginia, on 1 June 1806, Floyd was graduated from South Carolina College in 1826 and practiced law in Wytheville, Virginia, & Helena, Arkansas. Following ill health and a failed business venture as a cotton planter in Arkansas, Floyd returned to his native state to practice law in Abingdon, Washington County. A Democrat, Floyd represented Washington County in the House of Delegates for two terms between 6 December 1847 and 17 August 1849. While in the House, Floyd was elected governor of Virginia for a three-year term beginning on 1 January 1849. While governor, Floyd was instrumental in managing the completion of the Washington Equestrian Statue on Capitol Square. Another significant achievement during Floyd's tenure was the adoption of the Constitution of 1851 by a Constitutional Convention that met from 14 October 1850 to 1 August 1851. The Constitution of 1851 expended suffrage to all white, adult-males in Virginia and allowed for the popular election of governor.

Governor John B. Floyd returned to represent Washington County in the House of Delegates for the term beginning on 3 December 1855. Floyd campaigned for presidential hopeful James Buchanan in 1856 and was named to Buchanan's cabinet as Secretary of War. Floyd resigned his position on 29 December 1860 when President Buchanan refused to order Maj. Robert Anderson to evacuate Ft. Sumter. Floyd was later exonerated by the House Committee on Military Affairs on charges of aiding secession efforts by forwarding large quantities of arms and ammunition to the South. During the Civil War, Floyd was appointed brigadier general of forces raised in western Virginia in Confederate service on 23 May 1861. After several small engagements in southwestern Virginia, Floyd was transferred to Tennessee and placed in command of Ft. Donelson before its fall to Brigadier General U.S. Grant in February 1862. His defeat prompted Jefferson Davis to relieve him from command. Governor John Letcher, however, appointed Floyd major general of the Virginia State Line to project the salt mines near Saltville.

Floyd's health deteriorated and he died at his adopted daughter's home near Abingdon, Virginia, on 26 August 1863. He was buried in Sinking Spring Cemetery. He was survived by his wife Sarah Buchanan Preston, daughter of General Francis Preston, whom he married in 1830.

From the guide to the Executive Papers of Governor John Buchanan Floyd, 1849-1851, (The Library of Virginia)