Thomas Buck Reed

Linden, by Frances Benjamin Johnston, 1938. Builder is not known but Thomas B. Reed is known as the first occupant. In 1840, Linden was purchased by Mrs. Janr Gustine Connor, great grandmother of present owner

Early life

Thomas Buck Reed was born on May 7, 1787 near Lexington, Kentucky. He attended the public schools and the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University.) He studied law and was admitted to the bar.

Career

He commenced legal practice in Lexington in 1808. In 1809, he moved to Natchez, Mississippi and served as a city clerk in 1811. He was an unsuccessful candidate for Delegate to Congress in 1813, and was attorney general of Mississippi from 1821 to 1826. His party affiliation was Jacksonian.

In 1825, he was elected to the Mississippi House of Representatives but declined to take his seat; he was elected to the U.S. Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of David Holmes and served from January 28, 1826, to March 3, 1827. He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1827, but was again elected to the Senate in 1828 and served from March 4, 1829.

Personal life

He married Margaret Allison Ross Reed (1787-1838), the daughter of plantation owner Isaac Ross (1760-1836).

Death

He died on November 26, 1829 in Lexington, Kentucky. He was buried in the Old Baptist Cemetery.