Carrington, Edward, 1748-1810

Edward Carrington (February 11, 1748 – October 28, 1810) was an American soldier and statesman from Virginia. During the American Revolutionary War he became a lieutenant colonel of artillery in the Continental Army. He distinguished himself as quartermaster general in General Nathanael Greene’s southern campaign. He commanded artillery at Monmouth and Yorktown. He was also present at Cowpens, Guilford Court House, and Hobkirk's Hill. During the war he became a close friend of George Washington. Carrington served in the 3rd Continental Congress and was the first US Marshal appointed from his state. He was an original member of the Society of the Cincinnati.

Born at the Boston Hill Plantation in Goochland County in the Colony of Virginia (now part of Cumberland County), Carrington studied the law and opened a law practice. He also managed a plantation in southern Virginia. At the outbreak of the Revolution, Carrington joined the First Continental Artillery with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. In 1780, he transferred to the Southern Army with the same rank, but with the new responsibility of quartermaster-general. During his service with the Army, Carrington saw action at Hobkirk's Hill and Yorktown. On one occasion, Washington appointed Carrington, Alexander Hamilton, and General St. Clair to meet with British representatives to discuss an exchange of prisoners. In 1781, the Commander-in-Chief put Carrington in charge of selling goods and property confiscated by the Continental Army.

During the war, Carrington became a friend and confidant of George Washington. Virginia sent Carrington as a delegate to the Continental Congress from 1786 to 1788. He often visited Washington at Mount Vernon during this period. After being elected president, Washington appointed Carrington as the first U.S. Marshal for Virginia, a position he held from 1789 until March 1791. He then served as Virginia's supervisor of the revenue from 1791 to 1794. The new president often sought Carrington's advice on political matters. During his second term, President Washington offered Carrington the posts of Attorney General and Secretary of War, which were declined. In 1798, President John Adams selected Carrington to be the quartermaster general for the United States Army during the Quasi-War with France, but the position was never filled and was eliminated when normal relations were restored. In 1807, Carrington was foreman of the jury during Aaron Burr's treason trial. His brother-in-law John Marshall was the presiding judge and Burr was acquitted.

Carrington died on October 28, 1810, at Richmond, Virginia. In 1775, while listening to Patrick Henry's famous "Give me liberty, or give me death!" speech while standing outside a window at St. John's Church where the speech was given, he turned to his friends and whispered, "Boys, bury me here, in this very spot!" Per his wishes, he is buried just outside that window.