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Governor William McWillie
Portrait of Governor William McWillie
22nd Governor of Mississippi
In office
November 16, 1857 – November 21, 1859
Preceded by John J. McRae
Succeeded by John J. Pettus
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Mississippi's 3rd district
In office
December 3, 1849 – March 3, 1851
Preceded by Patrick W. Tompkins
Succeeded by John D. Freeman
South Carolina State Senate
South Carolina House of Representatives
In office
1854–1892
Personal details
Born(1795-11-17)November 17, 1795
Camden, South Carolina, United States
DiedMarch 3, 1869(1869-03-03) (aged 73)
Madison County, Mississippi, United States
Resting placeKirkwood Cemetery, Camden, Mississippi
Spouse(s)Nancy Cunningham
Catherine Anderson
Children23
Alma mater University of South Carolina
Military service
Allegiance  United States of America (prior to 1861)
Confederate States of America Confederate States of America 1861–1865
Branch/service  United States Army (War of 1812)
Battles/wars War of 1812

William McWillie (November 17, 1795 – March 3, 1869) was the twenty-second governor of Mississippi from 1857 to 1859. He was a Democrat. McWillie was the last Governor of Mississippi prior to the outbreak of the American Civil War. [1]

Biography

He was born near Liberty Hill, Kershaw County, South Carolina, on November 17, 1795. His father Colonel Adam McWillie was in command of the 2nd Regiment SC militia during the War of 1812, and William served as an adjutant in his father's regiment in the war. [2]

McWillie graduated from South Carolina College (now the University of South Carolina) in 1817. He then began the study of law and was admitted to the bar in 1818. [3]

He was married to Nancy Cunningham (1799-1827) and Catherine Anderson (1812–1873), daughter of Dr. Edward H. Anderson of Camden, South Carolina, and granddaughter of a noted officer of the Maryland Line. [4]

Between 1836 and 1840, he served in both the South Carolina House of Representatives and the South Carolina Senate. In 1845 he moved to Mississippi. He was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1849, serving from December 3, 1849 to March 3, 1851. In 1858 he became Governor of Mississippi, serving until 1860. McWillie died in Kirkwood, Madison County, Mississippi, on March 3, 1869. He is buried in Kirkwood Cemetery, near Camden, Mississippi, the town he founded and named for his hometown of Camden, South Carolina. [5] [6]

His son Adam McWillie (1821 to 1861) was killed in the Civil War during the First Battle of Bull Run. [7]

References

  1. ^ "Governor William McWillie". mshistory.k12.ms.us. Retrieved November 15, 2013.
  2. ^ "William McWillie". National Governors Association. 10 January 2012. Retrieved 2021-02-21.
  3. ^ "Governor William McWillie". bioguide.congress.gov. Retrieved November 15, 2013.
  4. ^ "William McWillie (1795-1869) - Find A Grave..." www.findagrave.com. Retrieved 2021-02-21.
  5. ^ "Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress - Retro Member details". bioguideretro.congress.gov. Retrieved 2021-02-21.
  6. ^ r2WPadmin. "McWillie, William". Mississippi Encyclopedia. Retrieved 2021-02-21.{{ cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list ( link)
  7. ^ "Capt Adam McWillie (1821-1861) - Find A Grave..." www.findagrave.com. Retrieved 2021-02-21.
Party political offices
Preceded by Democratic nominee for Governor of Mississippi
1857
Succeeded by
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the  U.S. House of Representatives
from Mississippi's 4th congressional district

1849–1851
Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by Governor of Mississippi
1857-1859
Succeeded by