Jefferson Davis

Marriage, plantation life and politics

The marriage proved short. The newlyweds both contracted malaria, and Davis's wife died three months after the wedding at the Louisiana home of his sister. Davis recovered, sailing for Havana, Cuba, and then to New York City. In 1836, he retired to Brierfield Plantation in Warren County, Mississippi.

Related Topics:
Malaria - Louisiana - Havana - Cuba - New York City - 1836 - Warren County, Mississippi

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The subsequent years proved uneventful, as Davis supervised the production of cotton at Brierfield, and studied political science. He decided to put his studies to use in 1843, by entering a career in politics. He ran for the Mississippi House of Representatives as a Democrat, and engaged in a debate with his opponent, Seargent Smith Prentiss, on election day. However, Davis's efforts proved unsuccessful, and he lost the election. The next year, he traveled around Mississippi campaigning for James K. Polk and George M. Dallas in the presidential election of 1844.

Related Topics:
Cotton - Political science - 1843 - Politics - House of Representatives - Democrat - Seargent Smith Prentiss - James K. Polk - George M. Dallas - Presidential election of 1844

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1844 saw Jefferson Davis's first political success, as he was elected to the United States House of Representatives, taking office on March 4 of the following year.

Related Topics:
United States House of Representatives - March 4

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He married again on February 26 1845, this time to socially prominent Varina Howell.

Related Topics:
February 26 - 1845 - Varina Howell

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