Gerard Brandon

Gerard Chittocque Brandon (born September 15, 1788 in Natchez , Mississippi , † March 28, 1850 in Fort Adams , Mississippi) was an American politician . Between 1825 and 1832 he was governor of the state of Mississippi twice .

Early years and political advancement

Gerard Brandon was born on his parents' plantation near Natchez. He studied first at Princeton University and then at the College of William & Mary Law. After his admission as a lawyer, he began to work in his new profession in Washington in what is now Mississippi in 1815 . He was also a successful planter on his plantation all his life. Brandon also took part in the British-American War of 1812 as a soldier . Politically, he became a member of the Democratic Republican Party . In 1817 he was a delegate to the Mississippi Constituent Assembly and became a member of the Mississippi House of Representatives . In 1822 he was President of the House. Between 1822 and 1825 he was lieutenant governor of his state.

Mississippi Governor

After the death of Governor Walter Leake , Lieutenant Governor Brandon had to end his term from November 17, 1825 to January 7, 1826. After the resignation of the newly elected Governor David Holmes , Brandon also had to end his term in office. He was able to complete his second term as governor between July 25, 1826 and January 9, 1832. During his tenure, the state's school system and justice system were improved. At that time, the first license was awarded to a railroad company, thus laying the foundation for the railway age in the state of Mississippi. The state's road network was also expanded. The right to vote in Mississippi was extended to all adult white men regardless of their property. At that time, land that was previously inhabited by Indians was made accessible to whites. Large cotton plantations, managed with the help of slaves, soon emerged in these areas. In addition, new administrative units ( counties ) were created there. The Indians themselves have been relocated or expelled further west over time under the Indian Removal Act .

Another résumé

In 1832 Gerard Brandon was again a member of an assembly to revise the state constitution. After his proposal to appoint judges was rejected, he withdrew from politics. He lived on his Adams County plantation . Brandon can be seen as a classic representative of the Southern aristocracy before the Civil War. He was married twice and had a total of six children.

literature

Robert Sobel and John Raimo (Eds.): Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789–1978. Volume 2, Meckler Books, Westport, 1978. 4 volumes.

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personal data
SURNAME	Brandon, Gerard
ALTERNATIVE NAMES	Brandon, Gerard Chittocque (full name)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION	American politician
DATE OF BIRTH	September 15, 1788
PLACE OF BIRTH	at Natchez , Mississippi
DATE OF DEATH	March 28, 1850
Place of death	Fort Adams , Mississippi