John Henderson (Mississippi politician)

For the U.S. Senator from Missouri, see John B. Henderson.

John Henderson
United States Senator from Mississippi
In office March 4, 1839 – March 4, 1845
Preceded by	Thomas H. Williams
Succeeded by	Jesse Speight
Personal details
Born	(1797-02-28)February 28, 1797 Cumberland County, New Jersey
Died	Pass Christian, Mississippi
Political party	Whig
Profession	Politician, Lawyer, Flatboatman
Military service
Service/branch	Mississippi Militia
Rank	Brigadier General

John Henderson (February 28, 1797 – September 15, 1857) was a lawyer and U.S. Senator from Mississippi.

Born in Cumberland County, New Jersey, Henderson worked as a flatboatman on the Mississippi River and studied law. He moved to Mississippi and was admitted to the bar, commencing practice in Woodville, Mississippi. He served as a brigadier general in the Mississippi Militia and was a member of the Mississippi Senate from 1835 to 1836. In 1838, Henderson was elected a Whig to the United States Senate, serving one full term, 1839 to 1845. There, he served as chairman of the Committee on Engrossed Bills in the 26th Congress, of the Post Office and Post Roads in the 27th Congress and of the Committee on Private Land Claims in the 27th Congress and 28th Congresses. Afterwards, Henderson resumed practicing law in New Orleans, Louisiana. In 1851, he was tried in the United States District Court in New Orleans for violation of the neutrality laws of 1818 for complicity in expeditions against Cuba, however was acquitted. He retired from public life and died in Pass Christian, Mississippi on September 15, 1857. He was interned in Live Oak Cemetery in Pass Christian.

References

• John Henderson at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress

External links

• John Henderson at Find a Grave
• Considerations on the Constitutionality of President’s Proclamations by John Henderson

United States Senate
Preceded by Thomas H. Williams	U.S. Senator (Class 1) from Mississippi March 4, 1839 – March 4, 1845 Served alongside: Robert J. Walker	Succeeded by Jesse Speight