Son of Mary & Thomas B. Claiborne was born in Brunswick County, Virginia.

The Claiborne family was one of the First Families of Virginia since the 17th century, when an earlier Thomas Claiborne sat in the House of Burgesses representing King William County (and he or his son established the historic house at Sweet Hall).

This Thomas Claiborne served on the staff of Gen. Andrew Jackson in the Creek War, with the rank of Major.

[1] As a member of Tennessee House of Representatives from 1811 to 1812, fellow delegates elected him as their Speaker, so he presided over the latter sessions.

This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress