Thomas J. Word

Thomas Jefferson Word (c. 1809 – death date unknown) [Several biographies of his nephew, William Faulkner, mentioned that "Jeff" Word was born around 1809. For example, see Joel Williamson's "William Faulkner and Southern History", page 38.] was a U.S. Representative from Mississippi.

Born in Surry County, North Carolina, Word studied law, passed his bar exam, and established a private practice. He served as member of the North Carolina House of Commons in 1832. He later moved to Mississippi and settled in Pontotoc, where he became active in state and local politics. He successfully contested the election of Samuel J. Gholson to the 25th Congress, and the election was set aside by the House of Representatives. Word was subsequently elected as a Whig to fill the vacancy caused by this action (May 30, 1838ndash;March 3, 1839). He was not relected, and retired from national politics to resume his legal practice. He moved to Anderson County, Texas, in 1854.

He was the maternal uncle of writer William Faulkner.

References

Notes