James Breathitt

James Breathitt was a Commonwealth's Attorney for the state of Kentucky.

MEMORIAL PHOTOS 2 FLOWERS 1 James' brother John was Governer of Kentucky from 1832 - 1834.

County of Christian, Kentucky. Historical and Biographical. Edited by William Henry Perrin. F. A. Battey Publishing Co., 1884, pp. 94

James Breathitt - Mr. Breathitt was born in Virginia and came to Kentucky when very young. His father, William Breathitt, settled in Logan County in 1800, when southern Kentucky was little else than a wilderness. He was a highly respected citizen, though of limited wealth, and hence was unable to give his children collegiate educations. His eldest son, John Breathitt, became a prominent man and served his State in many high and important positions. He was elected Liewtenant-Governor in 1828, and in 1932 Governer of the Commonwealth, but died before the expiration of his term. James read law, either with his brother or with Judge Wallace, of Logan County, and soon after his admission to the bar came to Hopkinsville and entered upon the practice of his chosen profession. He was twice married - first to Miss Elizabeth Short, a daughter of Peyton Short. She died, and he afterward married Babrielle Harvie daughter of Hon. John Harvie, of Frankfort, and a native of Virginia. Mr. Breathitt died in 1839, before he had passed the meridian of life and his only surviving child is Maj. Breathitt, the present Count Clerk. Mr. Breathitt was a member of the Hopkinsvill bar at a time when it was considered one of the ablest in Southern Kentucky, and comprised such men as Crittenden, Davidge, Solomon P. and Fidelio Sharp, Morehead, Mayers, Crockett, Henry, and a host of other lesser luminaries. For many uears he was Commonwealth's Attorney, under that pattern of old fidelity, Judge Shackelford, and in the discharge of his official duties was often pitted against some of the ablest lawyers of the period. That he proved himself a "foeman worthy of their steel" is evidenced by his long term of service as public prosecutor. Mr. Breathitt was an excellent lawyer in all brances of the profession, but excelled perhaps as a criminal lawyer. He was elected to the Legislature and served in the sessions of 1818-1819, with considerable distinction, though at the time rather young. He was originally a Democrat, but afterwrd became a Henry Clay Whig. He made a race for Congress on that platform, but was defeated. His death, before he was fifty years of age,was a severe loss to his county and to the State.

pp. 345-346. (a snippet borrowed from there.) He (James Breathitt) came to Christian County from Logan County about 1814. He was here married to Miss Elizabeth S. Short, by whom he had three children - a daughter that died in infancy and two sons, Peyton S. and John W. Breathitt. The mother (Elizabeth Breathitt) died in Hopkinsville about 1826, and during the infancy of John W., who was born January 9, 1825.

Peyton S., the elder brother, grew to manhood and became a physician; after graduating from the Louisville Medical College he practiced in Louisville until loss of health compelled him to abandon the practice, soon after which he died in Florida.

James Breathitt, in 1830, married Gabriella A. Harvie, daughter of John Harvie, of Frankfort, Ky. Harvie W. Breathitt was the only child born to them; he was drowned in the Illinois River after attaining manhood. The father died near Russellville, Logan County, in 1839, and his widow survived him until August 26, 1883, when she died in Frankfort, Ky

Family Members Parents Photo William W. Breathitt 1757–1817

Photo Elizabeth Dawson Whitsett Breathitt 1765–1834

Spouses Elizabeth Shipworth Short Breathitt 1804–1827

Photo Gabriella Augusta Harvie Breathitt 1809–1883

Siblings Photo Eleanor Meneese Whitsett Breathitt 1781–1813

Photo Jane Breathitt Sappington 1783–1852

Photo Cardwell Breathitt 1788–1834

Photo Elizabeth B Breathitt Harwood 1799–1842

Photo Susan Churchill H. Breathitt Poindexter 1801–1830

Children Photo Peyton Short Breathitt 1822–1848

Photo John W Breathitt 1825–1912

Photo Harvie W Breathitt 1830–1851

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