James Garrard

James Garrard (* January 14, 1749 in Stafford County, Virginia; † January 19, 1822 in Bourbon County, Kentucky ) was an American politician ( Democratic- Republican) and Governor of the State of Kentucky.

Early years

James Garrard was a colonel in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. Since 1782 he lived in the vicinity of present-day Paris in Kentucky, which was still part of Virginia at that time. He campaigned for the construction of churches. He was a preacher at a Baptist church. Since 1779, when he was elected to the House of Representatives from Virginia, he was politically active. He was a member of the Assembly from 1785 in Danville, on the establishment of a new state was discussed. Also on the following conventions in 1787 and 1788 Garrard was present, just like on the constitutional conference in 1792. Efforts these meetings were successful and led to the separation of the territory of Virginia and creation of the state of Kentucky. Accession to the Union on June 1, 1792.

Governor of Kentucky

In 1796, Garrard was elected as the successor to Isaac Shelby for the second Governor of Kentucky. Although the election result was very close and was even challenged, he managed to overcome these internal tensions. In 1800 he was elected to a second term. During his tenure, new counties and municipalities created. The judicial districts were established, and an insurance company received the banking monopoly.

After the end of his second term, he retired to his farm. The State, in its very popular Garrard died on 19 January 1822 and was buried in the cemetery of Bourbon County.