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Historical records matching William Pope Duval, 1st Gov. of Florida Territory
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About William Pope Duval, 1st Gov. of Florida Territory
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Pope_Duval
William Pope Duval (September 4, 1784 – March 19, 1854) was the first civilian governor of Florida Territory, serving from April 17, 1822 until April 24, 1834.
Early life
William Duval was born to Major William Duval and Ann Pope in "Mansfield," Henrico Co., Virginia (near present-day Richmond). At the age of 14, he left home and struck out on his own, settling in Bardstown, Kentucky. He began to study law and was admitted to the bar at 19 in 1804. On October 3, 1804, he married Nancy Hynes in Bardstown
Congressional service
During an outbreak of Indian hostilities in 1812, Duval was given command of a company of mounted Volunteers. This service and his law experience helped to win him election to the 13th Congress of the United States in 1812. He served as a representative from the Democratic-Republican Party in the new Kentucky's 10th congressional district until 1815 when he did not seek re-election. He returned to Kentucky and continued to practice law.
Florida Territory
In 1821, Florida became a U.S. Territory, Duval was named United States Judge for the East Florida district on May 18, 1821. On April 17, 1822, President James Monroe appointed him as the first non-military governor of the territory, succeeding General Andrew Jackson. He was reappointed by President John Quincy Adams and President Andrew Jackson. During his twelve year administration, he established the territory’s capital at Tallahassee. He was also known for his peaceful dealings with the Native Americans living in the state. He signed the first act of legislation in Florida as a U.S. Territory, dividing it into four territories and establishing the local court system.
Post governorship
Duval continued to live in Florida for a number of years, practicing law. He moved to Texas in 1848. He and his wife had eight children, many of which began families in Texas, most notably Burr Harrison Duval. He died in Washington, D.C. He is interred at the Congressional Cemetery.
Facts
Duval County, Florida is named for him.
Duval County, Texas is named for his son, Capt. Burr Harrison Duval
There are many roads across Florida named after him, the most well known being Duval Street in Key West, Florida.
sketched by Washington Irving under the name of "Ralph Ringwood"
U.S. Congressman, Florida Governor. He was the first civilian governor of the Territory of Florida, following Andrew Jackson, who was in the military. Under his 12-year term, the state was divided into four regions with the city of Tallahassee becoming the state capital. Born the son of a well-to-do Virginia Revolutionary War officer, William Duval and his wife Anne Pope, his father emancipated his slaves early in the 19th century. Moving to Kentucky frontier from Virginia, the age of 14, he studied law, was admitted to the bar at age 19 and practiced law. In 1804 he married Nancy Hynes. During the Indian conflicts of 1812, he commanded a company of mounted Kentucky Volunteers. In 1813, he was elected as a Republican to the Thirteenth Congress, serving until 1815. After his term, he was appointed United States judge for the east Florida district in 1821. In 1822, President James Monroe appointed him as the first non-military Governor of the Florida Territory, serving until 1834. During his term, he was known for his peaceful dealings with the Native Americans. He accomplished the removal of the Seminole Indians to South Florida. After his term, he continued to practice law in Florida. From 1839 to 1842 he was a senator in the Florida legislature. In 1845 when Florida was becoming a new state in the Union, he served as a commissioner to settle the disputed northern boundary of Florida. He relocated to Texas in 1848 with many of his eight children and settled at Galveston to practice law. His sons played roles in the movement for Texas independence, becoming active in Texas politics. While in Washington D.C. on a business trip, he died at age 69. Duval County in northeast Florida with the main city being Jacksonville was named in his honor as well as a few streets throughout the state. A World War II battleship was named in his honor, the "SS William P. Duval."* Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Sep 5 2023, 15:57:04 UTC
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William Pope Duval, 1st Gov. of Florida Territory's Timeline
| 1784 |
September 4, 1784
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Richmond, Richmond City, Virginia, USA
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| 1809 |
1809
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| 1813 |
November 4, 1813
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| 1814 |
1814
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Bardstown, Nelson County, Kentucky, United States
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| 1816 |
March 14, 1816
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| 1820 |
September 15, 1820
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Bardstown, Nelson County, Kentucky, United States
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| 1826 |
October 1826
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Leon USA, Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida, United States
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| 1854 |
March 19, 1854
Age 69
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Washington, District of Columbia, District of Columbia, USA
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Congressional Cemetery, Washington, District of Columbia, District of Columbia, USA
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