P LOYD
FLOYD
FLOYD, John, goveruor of Virginia, was born
in Jeft'erson county, Va., April 24, ll^'i; son of
Col. Jolm Floyd. He attended Dickinson college
and studied medicine at the University of Penn-
sylvania, 180-1-06, receiving his M.D. degree in
1806. He settled in Blacksburg, Moatgomery
county, Va., was made justice of the [jeace, 1807;
major in the state militia, 1808; surgeon in the
Virginia line, 1813, and a member of the house
of delegates the same year. He was promoted
brigadier -general in the state militia and repre-
sented his district in the 15tli-20th congi-esses
inclusive, 1817-39. He was an advocate of states
rights; opposed the administration of John
Quincy Adams; advocated the occupation of
Oregon in 1830; and the election of Andrew
Jackson in 1838. He was governor of Virginia,
1830-34. During his administi'ation lie opposed
the policy of President Jackson in the threatened
nullification measures of South Carolina in 1833
and recommended a convention of the states, but
did not justify nullification. He was the same
year named by the delegation from South Caro-
lina at the national Democratic convention as
the choice of that state for the presidency. He
put down the insurrection of 1833 among the
slaves led by Gabriel Turner, and caused the ex-
ecution of the leader. He was married to Letitia,
daughter of Col. William Preston, an oflicer in
the Revolutionary army, who was wounded at
Guilford Court House, N.C. Governor Floyd
died at Sweet Water Springs. Va., Aug. Li, 1837.
FLOYD, John Buchanan, statesman, was born
near Blacksburg, Va., June 1, 1807; son of John
and Letitia (Preston) Floyd. He was graduated
at South Carolina college in 1826 and became a
lawyer. He resided near Helena, Ark., 1836-39,
and practised law in
Washington county,
Va., 1839-57. He was
a representative in
the general assembly,
is47-19and 18.53; gov-
ernor of the .state,
1849-52; Democratic
e'ector in 1856, and
SI cretary of war un-
il r President Bu-
clianan, 1857-60. Ue
lesigned his cabinet
oflice in Decem-
ber, 1860. on account
the President
sending reinforce-
ments to the U.S. forces in Charleston har-
lior. Having been accused of exercising his
privilege while in office in favor of a jjrearranged
plan for the secession of the southern states, and
of providing an anticipated demand for arms and
^/^^<^.J'^C^^ of
/ / sendi
ammunition by overstocking southern arsenals
he demanded from congress an investigation and
sjieedy trial. A special committee of the house
investigated the charges and declared them
totally unfounded. After his departure from
Washington he was indicted as privy to a ilefal-
cation which had occurred in his department.
Hearing of it at Abingdon, Va.. he returned to
Washington, gave bail and demanded a trial,
whereupon the prosecution was dropped. On the
secession of Virginia he joined the Confederate
aiTuy, was commissioned brigadier-general, and
saw his first service at Carnifex Ferry, Va., Sept.
10, 1861, where he was wounded. He was tlien
transferred to the west, and at Fort DoneLson,
Feb. 14, 1863, reached the field after the engage-
ment had begun. He declared the position
untenable and recommended continuous hard
fighting with preparation to retreat if necessary.
He directed the liattle for two days, which re-
sulted in driving back the Federal right and
opening the road to retreat, but Genei'al Pillow,
second in command, ordered his own division
back to their original position, leaving General
Floyd's brigade unsupported, and compelling it
to return to the lines. He turned over the com-
mand to Buckner and withdrew his brigade, the
bulk of the Confederate forces being left under
General Buckner, who capitulated to General
Grant, Feb. 16, 1863. President Davis relieved
both Floyd and Pillow of their commands, where-
upon the state of Virginia conferred upon
Floj'd the commission of major-general which
he held till the failure of his health, due to the
hardships of the service. He was married in his
early manhood to his cousin, Sally Buchanan
(1802-1879), daughter of Gen. Francis Preston,
sister of Senator William C. and Gen. John S.
Preston of South Carolina, niece of Patrick
Henry of Virginia, and granddaughter of Gen.
William Camjjbell, the hero of King's Mountain.
Having no children they adopted Eliza M. John-
ston, a relative, who became the wife of Robert
W. Hughes of Norfolk, Va., judge of the U.S. dis-
trict court. General Floyd died at Mrs. Hughes's
home near Abingdon, Va., Aug. 26, 1863.
FLOYD, William, signer of the Declaration of Independence, was born in Brookliaven. Suffolk county, N.Y., Dec. 17, 1734; .son of NicoU Floyd; grandson of Richard Floyd; and great-grandson of Richard Floyd, who came from Wales in 1654. He was brought up on his father's farm, received a common school education, and became a far- mer. He was a delegate to the Continental congress, 1774-77 and 1778-83; deputy to the New Y'ork provincial convention of 1775; first dele- gate from New York to sign the Declaration of Independence, 1776; state senator, 1777-78, by appointment, and 1784-88 by election; major-
