Philemon Thomas was a member of the United States House of Representatives representing the state of Louisiana. He served two terms as a Democrat (1831–1835).

He was born in Orange County, Virginia and served in the American forces during Revolutionary War and later moved to Kentucky. He was a member of Kentucky's Constitutional Convention and served in the state House and Senate. In 1806 he moved to Louisiana. He commanded troops who in 1810 captured the Spanish fort in at Baton Rouge, commencing the West Florida Rebellion of 1810. A few days later the West Florida Assembly, meeting at Saint Francisville, commissioned Gen. Philemon Thomas to march the West Florida Army across the newly proclaimed Republic.

Philemon Thomas served in the War of 1812 and later served two terms in Congress. He ran for Governor twice, in 1824 and in 1828. He died in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Baton Rouge National Cemetery

Thomans was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives representing the state of Louisiana. He served two terms as a Democrat (1831–1835). He ran for governor twice, in 1824 and in 1828.

He was born in Orange County, Virginia and served in the American forces during Revolutionary War and later moved to Kentucky. He was a member of Kentucky's Constitutional Convention and served in the state House and state Senate. In 1806 he moved to Louisiana. He commanded troops who on September 23, 1810 captured the Spanish fort in at Baton Rouge, commencing the West Florida Rebellion of 1810. A few days later the West Florida Assembly, meeting at Saint Francisville, commissioned Gen. Thomas to march the West Florida Army across the newly proclaimed Republic. He also served in the War of 1812.

According to Southeastern Louisiana University history professor Sam Hyde, residents of the western Florida Parishes proved largely supportive of the revolt, . . . while the majority of the population in the eastern region of the Florida Parishes opposed the insurrection. Thomas’ army violently suppressed opponents of the revolt, leaving a bitter legacy in the Tangipahoa and Tchefuncte River regions.

He died in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and is at Baton Rouge National Cemetery.


PHILEMON THOMAS

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