Cong Henry Ellett Gravesite

Congressman Henry Ellett served a very short stint in Congress (I have more research to confirm this but I’m fairly sure 38 days is the record). He filled the vacancy caused by then Congressman Jefferson Davis who resigned his seat to lead the 1st Regiment of the Mississippi Rifles in the Mexican American War. Ellett won unanimous approval at a Democratic Convention/Caucus in Jackson in November of 1846, was elected the next month by 1000 votes, and served from January 27th - March 3rd in 1847. He would go on to serve on the Mississippi Supreme Court and was elected to the Mississippi Hall of Fame after his death.

He moved to Memphis to practice law after his stint on the Mississippi Court and was elected as a chancery judge in 1886. In an odd set of circumstances, he was called upon to make an introductory speech of President Grover Cleveland’s 1887 visit to Memphis. Right after he gave his speech and introduced Cleveland he had a stroke and died on the platform.

He’s buried in the amazing Elmwood Cemetery in Memphis. This is a video of me finding his grave.