Carter Braxton, son  of a wealthy planter, was liberally 
        educated at the college of William and Mary. About the time that he
        left college, it is supposed that his father died, although this is
        not well ascertained. On this event, he became possessed of a
        considerable fortune, consisting chiefly of land and slaves. His
        estate was much increased, by his marriage, at the early age of
        nineteen years, with the daughter of Mr. Christopher Robinson, a
        wealthy planter of the county of Middlesex.
              He had the misfortune to lose his wife within a few years of his
        marriage, soon after which he embarked for England, for the purpose of
        improving his mind and manners. He returned to America in 1760; and,
        in the following year, was married to the eldest daughter of Richard
        Corbin, of Lanneville, by whom he had sixteen children. 
              The ample fortune of Mr. Braxton rendering the study of a
        profession unnecessary, he became a gentleman planter. He lived in
        considerable splendour, according to the fashion of the landed
        aristocracy at that day. Yet, it is said, that his fortune was not
        impaired by it.
              Upon his return from a voyage to England, he was called to a
        seat in the house of burgesses; and in 1765, particularly
        distinguished himself at the time that Patrick Henry brought forward
        his celebrated resolutions on the stamp act.
              From this date, until 1776, the political career of Mr. Braxton
        corresponded, in general, with that of the other delegates from
        Virginia. He was characterized by a patriotic zeal and firmness in all
        the duties which he was called upon to discharge.
              On 22 October 1775, the distinguished Peyton Randolph died at
        Philadelphia, while presiding over congress. In the following month,
        the convention of Virginia proceeded to appoint his successor, upon
        which Carter Braxton was elected. In that body he soon after took his
        seat, and was present on the occasion which gave birth to the
        declaration of independence.
              In June 1776, the convention of Virginia reduced the number of
        their delegates in congress to five, any three of whom, it was
        directed, should be sufficient. In consequence of this resolution,
        Harrison and Braxton were omitted.
              In October 1776, the first general assembly, under the
        republican constitution, assembled at Williamsburg. Of this assembly
        Carter Braxton was a member, and soon after taking his seat, he had
        the pleasure of receiving, in connection with Thomas Jefferson, and
        expression of the public thanks.
              From this time, he continued to be a delegate in the house for
        several years, and proved himself to be faithful to his constituents,
        and a zealous advocate for civil and religious liberty.
              In 1786, he received an appointment as a member of the council
        of state of the commonwealth, which office he continued to execute
        until 30 March 1791. After an interval of a few years, during which he
        occupied a seat in the house of delegates, he was again elected into
        the executive council, where he continued until October 1797, on the
        tenth of which month he was removed to another world, by means of an
        attack of paralysis.
              Carter Braxton was a gentleman of cultivated mind, and
        respectable talents. Although not distinguished by the impressive
        eloquence of Henry and Lee, his oratory was easy and flowing. The
        latter days of Carter Braxton were embittered by several unfortunate
        commercial speculations, which involved him in pecuniary
        embarrassments, from which he found it impossible to extricate
        himself. Several vexatious law-suits, in which he became engaged,
        contributed still father to diminish his property, and unfortunately
        led him unintentionally to injure several of his friends, who were his
        sureties.

Source:  Colonial Hall.