Private practice, Martin County, North Carolina, 1831-1845, 1847-1854
Delegate, North Carolina constitutional convention, 1835
Member, North Carolina House of Commons, 1840-1842
State senator, North Carolina, 1844-1845
U.S. representative from North Carolina, 1845-1847
U.S. senator from North Carolina, 1855-1858
Judge, Confederate District Court, District of North Carolina, 1861-1865
Private practice, Tarboro, North Carolina, 1865-1868
Private practice/businessman, Norfolk, Virginia, 1868-1878