Archibald McBryde

Archibald McBryde (September 28, 1766 – February 15, 1837) was a Congressional Representative from North Carolina's 7th congressional district.

He was born in Wigtownshire, Scotland to James McBryde (1737 – 1783) and Janet McMiken McBryde (1736 – 1814). He immigrated in 1775 with his parents and siblings and settled in Carbonton, North Carolina aboard the ship Jackie (formerly the Stanraer).^[1]

McBryde studied under private teachers and later studied law. He was admitted to the bar and served as clerk of the superior court of Moore County between 1792 and 1816. He had previously served as the deputy clerk of Moore County between 1790 and 1792, and as justice of the peace of Moore County between 1792 and 1808. McBryde was elected as a Federalist to the Eleventh and Twelfth Congresses (March 4, 1809 – March 3, 1813). During his terms he joined other North Carolinians in opposition to James Madison's foreign trade policies and voted against the declaration of war against Great Britain prior to the War of 1812. He was later elected as a senator of the North Carolina General Assembly in 1813 and 1814.

After office, McBryde resumed his law practice until he died in 1837 in Carbonton and was interred in Farrar Cemetery. McBryde's death date is often given as February 1836. However, records from the NC Supreme Court indicate he was alive in September 1836. An 1841 statement written by McBryde's wife supports a February 1837 death date, as well.^[2]