Charles Willing Byrd

Byrd's signature

Charles Willing Byrd (born July 26, 1770 in Westover , Arlington County , Colony of Virginia , †  August 25, 1828 in Sinking Springs , Ohio ) was an American politician and from 1802 to 1803 Governor of the Northwest Territory .

Early years

Byrd was born in 1770 to a rich and influential family. This ensured a good education for her son. He attended the best schools in Philadelphia until 1794 . There he also studied law. Between 1794 and 1797 he worked for the financier Robert Morris in what is now Kentucky as a real estate agent and land seller. He then returned to Philadelphia for a short time.

Ascent in the Northwest Territory

In 1799, Byrd moved to the Northwest Territory. Due to his legal skills, he managed to rise to the political leadership of the territory. President John Adams named him to succeed William Henry Harrison as Secretary of State in the area. After incumbent Territorial Governor Arthur St. Clair was dismissed by President Thomas Jefferson , Byrd served as both Secretary of State and Territorial Governor until 1803, when the state of Ohio was created. He was also a member of the Ohio Constituent Assembly.

Legal career in Ohio

With the accession of the new state of Ohio to the United States, Byrd's previous state offices expired. On March 3, 1803, he was appointed a judge in the federal district court for Ohio District by President Jefferson . He held this office until his death in 1828. His successor as federal judge was William Creighton .

At the beginning of the 19th century, Byrd got involved in the sect of the " Shaker ", which he also supported financially.

Web links

• Charles Willing Byrd in the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges
• Ohio Historical Society (English)