Chronological Listing of Kentucky’s Governors: 1792-1824
Term: 1792-1796
Party: Jeffersonian Republican
Resident KY County: Lincoln
Election Returns: N/A
Born: 12/11/1750
Died: 7/18/1826
State/County of Birth: Maryland
Former Occupation(s): Farmer, Surveyor, Soldier
Accomplishments as Governor
- Implemented Kentucky’s first constitution
- Sought Federal help in fighting the Indians
- Secured use of the Mississippi
Notes
- Elected to another term – 1812-1816
- For whom Shelby County was named. (1792)
Term: 1796-1804
Party: Jeffersonian Republican
Resident KY County: Bourbon
Election Returns:
James Garrard 8,390 (39.4%)
Christopher
Greenup
6,745 (31.7%)
Benjamin Logan 3,995 (18.8%)
Thomas
Todd 2,166 (10.2%)
Born: 1/14/1749
Died: 1/19/1822
State/County of Birth: Virginia
Former Occupation(s): Farmer, Miller, Whiskey Maker, Solider, Baptist Minister
Accomplishments as Governor
- Worked to reform the organization of the militia, courts, and penal system
- Added 26 counties to the state’s districts
- Initiated construction of the Governor’s Mansion
- Asked the government to provide for public education
- Attempted to establish anti-slavery laws
Notes
- One of two governors to ever serve two full successive terms
- The first governor to live in the Governor’s Mansion
- For whom Garrard County was named. (1797)
Term: 1804-1808
Party: Jeffersonian Republican
Resident KY County: Mercer/Fayette
Election Returns:
Christopher Greenup (Unopposed) 25,917
Born: ?/?/1750
Died: 4/17/1818
State/County of Birth: Virginia
Former Occupation(s): Surveyor, Lawyer, Land Speculator
Accomplishments as Governor
- Directed public affairs
- Initiated the state’s charter and purchase of stock in the Ohio Canal Co. and the Bank of Kentucky
Notes
- “Spanish Conspiracy” and Aaron Burr’s activities revealed during his term
- For whom Greenup County was named. (1804)
Term: 1808-1812
Party: Jeffersonian Republican
Resident KY County: Woodford
Election Returns:
Charles
Scott 22,050 (61.3%)
John Allen
8,430 (23.4%)
Green Clay
5,516 (15.3%)
Born: 4/?/1739
Died: 10/22/1813
State/County of Birth: Virginia
Former Occupation(s): Farmer, Miller, Soldier
Accomplishments as Governor
- Appointed William Henry Harrison brevet Major General of the state militia
- Enacted the replevy law, which allowed debtors amnesty from creditors for one year if they offered bond and security
Notes
- For whom Scott County is named. (1792)
Term: 1812-1816
Party: Jeffersonian Republican
Resident KY County: Lincoln
Election Returns:
Isaac
Shelby 30,362 70.9%
Gabriel Slaughter
12,464 29.1%
Born: 12/11/1750
Died: 7/18/1826
State/County of Birth: Lincoln
Former Occupation(s): Soldier, Farmer
Accomplishments as Governor
- Encouraged women to participate in the War of 1812
- Revised militia laws
Notes
- For whom Shelby County is named. (1792)
Term: 1816
Party: Jeffersonian Republican
Resident KY County: Franklin
Election Returns: George Madison (Unopposed)
Born: 6/?/1763
Died: 10/14/1816
State/County of Birth: Virginia
Former Occupation(s): Soldier, Public Servant
Accomplishments as Governor: N/A
Notes
- First Kentucky governor to die while holding office.
Term: 1816-1820
Party: Democratic Republican
Resident KY County: Mercer
Election Returns: Succeeded Gov. George Madison, who died while holding office (1816)
Born: 12/12/1767
Died: 9/19/1830
State/County of Birth: Virginia
Former Occupation(s): Farmer, Soldier
Accomplishments as Governor - N/A
Notes
- Spent most his term attempting to stabilize the state’s economy after the Panic of 1819
Term: 1820-1824
Party: Democratic Republican
Resident KY County: Mercer
Election Returns:
John
Adair
20,493 32.8% William Logan
19,947 32.0% Joseph Desha
12,419 19.9% Anthony Butler
9,567 15.3%
Born: 1/9/1757
Died: 5/19/1840
State/County of Birth: South Carolina
Former Occupation(s): Farmer, Soldier
Accomplishments as Governor
- Created the Bank of the Commonwealth
- Issued paper money
Notes
- Charged with conspiring with Aaron Burr, but later exonerated