Thomas Claxton

Thomas Claxton (died 1821) was the Doorkeeper of the United States House of Representatives from 1795 to 1821. While being Doorkeeper, Claxton was also the "Agent for furnishing the President's House" for both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson.

Background Thomas Claxton was born in the state of Connecticut in an unknown year. In 1781, Claxton served in the 4th Regiment of the Philadelphia Militia.

Under the presidency of John Adams and the presidency of Thomas Jefferson, Claxton served as the "Agent for furnishing the President's House from 1797 to 1809.

According to historian Marie Kimball, Thomas Claxton was "Jefferson's man-Friday in [the] task of furnishing" the executive mansion.

Before Jefferson's second term as president, Claxton worked with Maryland Congressman Joseph Hopper Nicholson to increase the initial appropriations for the President's House by $14,000. Nicholson was an influential Democratic-Republican and an ally of Jefferson. Claxton reported his success to Jefferson and offered himself as the purchasing agent for new assets. As his second term drew to a close, Jefferson praised Claxton for is work in securing pleasure and wrote "I say with pleasure that the integrity, diligence & economy with which you have employed the funds destined to that object, have given me perfect satisfaction."

Thomas Claxton died on December 8, 1821, in Hartford, Connecticut.

Years served as Doorkeeper Congress (years)Date elected4th (1795–97)December 7, 17955th (1797–99)May 15, 17976th (1799-1801)December 2, 17997th (1801–03)December 7, 18018th (1803–05)October 17, 18039th (1805–07)December 2, 180510th (1807–09)October 27, 180711th (1809–11)May 22, 180912th (1811–13)November 4, 181113th (1813–15)May 24, 181314th (1815–17)December 4, 181515th (1817–19)December 1, 181716th (1819–21)December 6, 1819