John Adair (1757-1840) - Find a Grave Memorial

US Senator, US Congressman, 7th Kentucky Governor, War of 1812 Militia General. Born in South Carolina, he served during the American Revolutionary War in the state's militia and represented South Carolina as a delegate a convention assembled to ratify the United States Constitution. In 1788 he moved to Kentucky where he once again became active with the state militia and entered politics. In 1792 he was selected to be a part of the convention that drafted the state's first constitution, and from 1793 to 1813 he served thirteen terms in the state's House of Representatives. In 1805 he was elected as a Senator from Kentucky to the United States Senate to finish the term of Senator John Breckinridge but the next year he lost his bid to be elected to a full term, partly because his association with the controversial Aaron Burr caused many of his constituents to question his judgment. His reputation was restored when, during the War of 1812, he led over one thousand Kentucky riflemen into the January 1815 Battle of New Orleans helping Major General Andrew Jackson win his most famous victory. Returning to Kentucky a war hero, he was quickly sent back to the state's House of Representatives and he served as Kentucky's Governor from 1820 to 1824. As Governor he endured a state recession and banking crisis, but established the state's university system and made improvements to the state's highways. After spending a few years farming, he made one more foray into politics, being elected as a Jacksonian Democrat to represent Kentucky's 7th District in the United States House of Representatives. He served a single term from 1831 to 1833, and chose not to run for re-election. He died and was buried in Harrodsburg, Kentucky in 1840 but his grave was moved to Frankfort in 1872. Adair Counties in Kentucky, Iowa and Missouri are named in his honor.

Bio by: Bigwoo

Inscription

Born in Chester District S.C. Jan 9, 1757; Died at White Hall, Mercer Co., KY May 1840 aged 83 years.

This monument is erected by the people of KY in pursuance of a Resolution of the General Assembly, approved Mar 5, 1872, as a mark of their appreciation of his services as a Soldier and a Statesman.