Hugh McVay

Hugh McVay (* 1788 in South Carolina; † May 9, 1851 in Lauderdale County, Alabama ) was an American politician (Democratic Party), and in 1837 the 9th Governor of Alabama.

Early years

McVay received a modest education and then moved in 1807 to Madison County, Mississippi Territory, where he became the owner of a plantation. McVay decided in 1811 to pursue a political career and was elected to the Parliament of the Mississippi Territory, where he worked until 1818. Then he moved in 1819 after Lauderdale County, Alabama and was a member of the Constitutional Convention of Alabama 1819. He was also a member of the House of Representatives from Alabama 1820-1825 and the Senate from Alabama 1825-1844, where he was Speaker in 1836.

Governor of Alabama

On July 17, 1837 Alabama Governor Clement Comer Clay resigned from his post to take a seat in the U.S. Senate. McVay, who is chairman of the Senate of Alabama was at the time, became acting governor. He held the office only on a transitional basis until November 30 of the same year, so that a new governor was elected. His brief tenure was overshadowed by the Indian wars with the Creek and the Seminole as well as the financial problems of the State Bank of Alabama.

Further CV

After his term as governor McVay returned to the Senate from Alabama, where he worked until 1844. He then retired to his plantation in Lauderdale County, where he died on May 9, 1851. He was buried at the Moore - McVay Cemetery in Mars Hill. He was the father of five children.