Robert Milledge Charlton | |
|---|---|
 | |
| United States Senator from Georgia | |
| In office May 31, 1852 – March 3, 1853 | |
| Preceded by | John M. Berrien |
| Succeeded by | Robert Toombs |
| 27th mayor of Savannah, Georgia | |
| In office 1839–1841 | |
| Preceded by | Matthew Hall McAllister |
| Succeeded by | William Thorne Williams |
| Member of the Georgia House of Representatives | |
| In office 1828 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 19, 1807 Savannah, Georgia |
| Died | January 18, 1854 (aged 46) Savannah, Georgia |
| Political party | Democratic |
Robert Milledge Charlton (January 19, 1807 – January 18, 1854) was an American politician and jurist. He served as a Senator representing Georgia from 1852 to 1853.
Charlton was born in Savannah, Georgia, on January 19, 1807, to Thomas Charlton, future two-time mayor of Savannah, and Emily Walter. His mother died before he reached the age of two.[1] A lawyer by training, Charlton served in various positions at the city and state level in addition to his U.S. Senate term. He was a member of the Georgia House of Representatives (1828), and he was appointed and subsequently elected a judge of the Eastern Circuit of Georgia in 1832. Charlton was also appointed as a United States District Attorney.
He was appointed as a Democrat to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of John M. Berrien. Charlton had previously served as the mayor of Savannah from 1839 to 1841. Charlton's father, Thomas Usher Pulaski Charlton, had previously served as the appointed mayor of Savannah in 1815 and again in 1819.
In 1829 Robert Charlton married Margaret Shick. Charlton ward, Savannah and Charlton County, Georgia are named after him. Charlton died in Savannah on January 18, 1854, the day before his 47th birthday, and is buried in Laurel Grove Cemetery in that city.
He was also a slave owner. In 1830, he owned 3 slaves.[2][non-primary source needed] In 1840, he owned 14 slaves.[3][non-primary source needed] In 1850, he owned 13 slaves.[4][non-primary source needed]
- ^ A Standard History of Georgia and Georgians, Volume 6. Lewis Publishing Company. 1917. p. 3055.
- ^ 1830 United States Census, United States census, 1830; Oglethorpe Ward, Savannah, Chatham, Georgia;. Retrieved on 6 March 2016.
- ^ 1840 United States Census, United States census, 1840; Savannah, Chatham, Georgia;. Retrieved on 6 March 2016.
- ^ "1850 United States Census, Slave Schedules", United States census, 1850; District 13, Chatham, Georgia;. Retrieved on 6 March 2016.