William Pope Duval
Encyclopedia
William Pope Duval was the first civilian governor of Florida Territory
, serving from April 17, 1822 until April 24, 1834.
). 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
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.
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 relocated the territory’s capital to 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.
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.
There are many roads across Florida named after him, most well known is Duval Street in Key West, Florida
.
Florida Territory
The 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, Virginia
Richmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States. 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, Kentucky
Bardstown, Kentucky
As of the census of 2010, there were 11,700 people, 4,712 households, and 2,949 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 5,113 housing units at an average density of...
. 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
Bardstown, Kentucky
As of the census of 2010, there were 11,700 people, 4,712 households, and 2,949 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 5,113 housing units at an average density of...
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 StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in 1812. He served as a representative from the Democratic-Republican Party in the new Kentucky's 10th congressional district
Kentucky's 10th congressional district
United States House of Representatives, Kentucky District 10 was a district of the United States Congress in Kentucky. It was lost to redistricting in 1933. Its last Representative was Andrew J. May.-List of representatives:-References:*...
until 1815 when he did not seek re-election. He returned to Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
and continued to practice law.
Florida Territory
In 1821, FloridaFlorida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
became a U.S. Territory
United States territory
United States territory is any extent of region under the jurisdiction of the federal government of the United States, including all waters including all U.S. Naval carriers. The United States has traditionally proclaimed the sovereign rights for exploring, exploiting, conserving, and managing its...
, Duval was named United States Judge for the East Florida district on May 18, 1821. On April 17, 1822, President James Monroe
James Monroe
James Monroe was the fifth President of the United States . Monroe was the last president who was a Founding Father of the United States, and the last president from the Virginia dynasty and the Republican Generation...
appointed him as the first non-military governor of the territory, succeeding General Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson was the seventh President of the United States . Based in frontier Tennessee, Jackson was a politician and army general who defeated the Creek Indians at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend , and the British at the Battle of New Orleans...
. He was reappointed by President John Quincy Adams
John Quincy Adams
John Quincy Adams was the sixth President of the United States . He served as an American diplomat, Senator, and Congressional representative. He was a member of the Federalist, Democratic-Republican, National Republican, and later Anti-Masonic and Whig parties. Adams was the son of former...
and President Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson was the seventh President of the United States . Based in frontier Tennessee, Jackson was a politician and army general who defeated the Creek Indians at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend , and the British at the Battle of New Orleans...
. During his twelve year administration, he relocated the territory’s capital to Tallahassee
Tallahassee, Florida
Tallahassee is the capital of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat and only incorporated municipality in Leon County, and is the 128th largest city in the United States. Tallahassee became the capital of Florida, then the Florida Territory, in 1824. In 2010, the population recorded by...
. 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
United States territory
United States territory is any extent of region under the jurisdiction of the federal government of the United States, including all waters including all U.S. Naval carriers. The United States has traditionally proclaimed the sovereign rights for exploring, exploiting, conserving, and managing its...
, dividing it into four territories and establishing the local court system.
Post governorship
Duval continued to live in FloridaFlorida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
for a number of years, practicing law. He moved to Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
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, FloridaDuval County, FloridaDuval County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2010, the population was 864,263. Its county seat is Jacksonville, with which the Duval County government has been consolidated since 1968...
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, most well known is Duval Street in Key West, Florida
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
- Official Governor's portrait and biography from the State of Florida
- Territorial Governor Duval's Message to Legislative Council, 1822 From the State Library and Archives of Florida.