of the legislature honored Brainerd's years of commitment to their cause by choosing him to succeed Phelps. Brainerd was not a candidate for election to a full term, and served from October 14, 1854, to March 3, 1855. Brainerd took part in one session of Congress from December 1854 to March 1855, and was a member of the Committee on Claims. He was succeeded by Jacob Collamer and returned to his banking and business interests. Later life In 1855, Brainerd was one of the organizers of the new Republican Party, which was founded as the country's main anti-slavery political organization. He served as the first chairman of the Vermont Republican Party, and was one of five state party chairmen who issued the call for the first Republican National Convention in 1856. Brainerd was a delegate, and as the temporary chairman he called the convention to order for its first session. Brainerd was subsequently chosen to serve as one of the convention's vice chairmen, and was appointed as a member of the Republican National Committee. Brainerd was chosen as one of Vermont's presidential electors after the 1856 election. When Vermont's electors met in December to cast their ballots, Brainerd was chosen as their chairman. They all voted for the Republican ticket of John C. Frémont for president and William L. Dayton for vice president, who carried Vermont but lost the election. Brainerd was the chairman of Vermont's delegation to the 1860 Republican National Convention. On the first ballot, Vermont's delegates supported Jacob Collamer as a favorite son. Afterwards, Brainerd and the Vermont delegation supported Abraham Lincoln, who received the nomination on the third ballot. In 1864, Brainerd was succeeded on the Republican National Committee by Abraham B. Gardner. Death and burial Brainerd remained active in his business ventures until his death in St. Albans on May 9, 1870. He was buried at Greenwood Cemetery in St. Albans. Family In 1819, Brainerd married Fidelia B. Gadcomb. She was the stepdaughter of Asa Aldis and granddaughter of Daniel Owen. The Brainerds were the parents of 12 children: Ann Eliza (1819-1905) Laura Aldis (1821-1821) Lawrence H. (1822-1904) Aldis Owen (1824-1906) Fidelia Gadcomb (1825-1827) Frederic Porter (1827-1828) William Gadcomb (1829-1830) Erastus Porter (1830-1907) Edward Gadcomb (1833-1835) Charles Herbert (1835-1837) Herbert (1837-1900) Miranda Aldis (1841-1909) Daughter Ann Eliza Brainerd Smith was a noted author and the wife of Vermont Governor J. Gregory Smith. Daughter Miranda became