William Montgomery Churchwell | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of theU.S. House of Representatives from Tennessee's 3rd district | |
| In office March 4, 1851 – March 3, 1853 | |
| Preceded by | Josiah M. Anderson |
| Succeeded by | Samuel A. Smith |
| Member of theU.S. House of Representatives from Tennessee's 2nd district | |
| In office March 4, 1853 – March 3, 1855 | |
| Preceded by | Albert G. Watkins |
| Succeeded by | William H. Sneed |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1826-02-20)February 20, 1826 Knox County, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Died | August 18, 1862(1862-08-18) (aged 36) Knoxville, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Martha Eleanor Deery Churchwell |
| Alma mater | Emory and Henry College,Virginia |
| Profession | lawyer, politician, judge, ambassador |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Confederate States |
| Branch/service |  Confederate States Army |
| Years of service | 1861–1862 |
| Rank |  Colonel (CSA) |
| Commands | 34th Tennessee Infantry |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
William Montgomery Churchwell (February 20, 1826 – August 18, 1862) was an American politician and a member of theUnited States House of Representatives. He was a member of theDemocratic Party, and as of 2025 was the last Democrat to represent the Knoxville area in the U.S. House. He also served asConfederate States Army officer during theAmerican Civil War.
Churchwell was born nearKnoxville, Tennessee inKnox County on February 20, 1826. He attended private schools andEmory and Henry College in Emory,Virginia from 1840 to 1843. He studied law, was admitted to thebar, and commenced practice in Knoxville.[1] He married Martha Eleanor Deery.
Churchwell served as one of the judges for Knox County. He was elected as aDemocrat to theThirty-second Congress byTennessee's3rd congressional district, and then byTennessee's 2nd congressional district to theThirty-third Congress after Tennessee had lost a district throughreapportionment. He served from March 4, 1851 to March 3, 1853 for the 3rd district, and from March 4, 1853 to March 3, 1855 for the 2nd district. As of 2024, he is the most recent Democrat to represent the Tennessee 2nd District.[2] During the Thirty-third Congress, he was the chairman of the United States House Committee on Pensions and Revolutionary War Claims.
Churchwell was later aprovost marshal for the district ofeast Tennessee. During the administration of PresidentBuchanan, he was sent on a secret mission toMexico.[3] He served in the Confederate states Army ascolonel of the 34th Tennessee Infantry Regiment (4th Provisional Tennessee Infantry) during the American Civil War.
Churchwell died in Knoxville, Tennessee on August 18, 1862 (age 36 years, 179 days). He isinterred atOld Gray Cemetery.[4]
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromTennessee's 3rd congressional district 1851-1853 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromTennessee's 2nd congressional district 1853-1855 | Succeeded by |
| Diplomatic posts | ||
| Preceded by | U.S. Minister to Mexico 1858 | Succeeded by |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| People | |
| Other | |
