William Pope Duval (September 4,1784 March 19, 1854) was the first governor of
Florida TerritoryThe Territory of Florida was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from March 30, 1822, until March 3, 1845, when it was admitted to the Union as the State of Florida...
, serving from April 17, 1822 until April 24, 1834.
William Duval was born to Major William Duval and Ann Pope in "Mansfield," Henrico Co., Virginia (near present-day
RichmondRichmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States. Like all Virginia municipalities incorporated as cities, it is an independent city and not part of any county. Richmond is the center of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Greater Richmond area...
). At the age of 14, he left home and struck out on his own, settling in
Bardstown, KentuckyBardstown is a city in Nelson County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 10,374 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Nelson County. It is named for David Bard, the man who obtained the land for the city from the governor of Virginia, and his brother William Bard, the surveyor who...
. He began to study law and was admitted to the bar at 19 in 1804.
William Pope Duval (September 4,1784 March 19, 1854) was the first governor of
Florida TerritoryThe Territory of Florida was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from March 30, 1822, until March 3, 1845, when it was admitted to the Union as the State of Florida...
, 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
RichmondRichmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States. Like all Virginia municipalities incorporated as cities, it is an independent city and not part of any county. Richmond is the center of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Greater Richmond area...
). At the age of 14, he left home and struck out on his own, settling in
Bardstown, KentuckyBardstown is a city in Nelson County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 10,374 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Nelson County. It is named for David Bard, the man who obtained the land for the city from the governor of Virginia, and his brother William Bard, the surveyor who...
. He began to study law and was admitted to the bar at 19 in 1804. On October 3, 1804, he married Nancy Hynes in
BardstownBardstown is a city in Nelson County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 10,374 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Nelson County. It is named for David Bard, the man who obtained the land for the city from the governor of Virginia, and his brother William Bard, the surveyor who...
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 StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in 1813. He served as an at-large representative from the Democratic-Republican Party for the state of
KentuckyThe Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. Kentucky is a Southern state situated in the Upland South, although the state is infrequently placed, geographically and culturally, in the Midwest. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a...
until 1815 when he did not seek re-election. He returned to
KentuckyThe Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. Kentucky is a Southern state situated in the Upland South, although the state is infrequently placed, geographically and culturally, in the Midwest. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a...
and continued to practice law.
Florida TerritoryThe Territory of Florida was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from March 30, 1822, until March 3, 1845, when it was admitted to the Union as the State of Florida...
In 1821,
FloridaFlorida is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States, bordering Alabama to the northwest and Georgia to the north. It was the 27th state admitted to the United States...
became a
U.S. TerritoryUnited States territory is any extent of region under the jurisdiction of the federal government of the United States, including all waters . The United States has traditionally proclaimed the sovereign rights for exploring, exploiting, conserving, and managing its territory...
, Duval was named United States Judge for the East Florida district on May 18, 1821. On April 17, 1822,
President James MonroeJames Monroe was the fifth President of the United States . His administration was marked by the acquisition of Florida ; the Missouri Compromise , in which Missouri was declared a slave state; the admission of Maine in 1820 as a free state; and the profession of the Monroe Doctrine , declaring U.S...
appointed him as the first non-military governor of the territory, succeeding
General Andrew JacksonAndrew Jackson was the seventh President of the United States . He was military governor of Florida , commander of the American forces at the Battle of New Orleans , and eponym of the era of Jacksonian democracy...
. He was reappointed by
President John Quincy AdamsJohn Quincy Adams was the sixth President of the United States from March 4, 1825 to March 4, 1829. He was also an American diplomat and served in both the Senate and House of Representatives...
and
President Andrew JacksonAndrew Jackson was the seventh President of the United States . He was military governor of Florida , commander of the American forces at the Battle of New Orleans , and eponym of the era of Jacksonian democracy...
. During his twelve year administration, he relocated the territory’s capital to
TallahasseeTallahassee is the capital of the State of Florida, USA, the county seat of Leon County , and the 133rd biggest city in the USA. Tallahassee became the capital of Florida in 1824. In 2008, the population recorded by the U.S...
. 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. TerritoryUnited States territory is any extent of region under the jurisdiction of the federal government of the United States, including all waters . The United States has traditionally proclaimed the sovereign rights for exploring, exploiting, conserving, and managing its territory...
, dividing it into four territories and establishing the local court system.
Post governorship
Duval continued to live in
FloridaFlorida is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States, bordering Alabama to the northwest and Georgia to the north. It was the 27th state admitted to the United States...
for a number of years, practicing law. He moved to
TexasTexas is the second-largest U.S. state in both area and population, and the largest state in the contiguous United States.The name had wide usage among native Americans, meaning "friends" or "allies"...
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
Duval County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 778,879. The U.S. Census Bureau 2005 estimate for the county was 826,436 . Its county seat is Jacksonville, Florida.-History:...
is named for him.
- Duval County, Texas
Duval County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2000, its population was 13,120. It is named for Burr H. Duval, a soldier in the Texas Revolution who died in the Goliad Massacre. The seat of the county is San Diego.-Geography:...
is named for his son, Capt. Burr Harrison Duval
There are many roads across Florida named after him, most well known is Duval Street in
Key West, Florida Key West is a city in Monroe County, Florida, United States.The city encompasses the island of Key West, the part of Stock Island north of U.S. 1 , Sigsbee Park , Fleming Key , and Sunset Key...
.
External links
Preceded by:
Andrew JacksonAndrew Jackson was the seventh President of the United States . He was military governor of Florida , commander of the American forces at the Battle of New Orleans , and eponym of the era of Jacksonian democracy...
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Territorial Governor of Florida |
Succeeded by:
John EatonJohn Henry Eaton was an American politician and diplomat from Tennessee who served as U.S. Senator and as Secretary of War in the administration of Andrew Jackson. He was the youngest U.S. Senator in history, having been 28 years old at the time of his swearing-in.-Biography:Eaton was born near...
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