Battle of Backbone Mountain

William Savin Fulton (June 2, 1795 – August 15, 1844) was an American lawyer and politician who served as a United States Senator from Arkansas from 1836 until his death in 1844. He had previously served as the fourth governor of Arkansas Territory, from 1835 to 1836, and the second secretary of the Arkansas Territory from 1829 to 1835.

Early life

Fulton was born in Cecil County, Maryland, and graduated from Baltimore College in 1813. He had intended to study law, but with the outbreak of the War of 1812 he enlisted in a company of volunteers at Fort McHenry. Fulton was military secretary to General Andrew Jackson during the Seminole War in 1818. After the war, Fulton moved to Gallatin, Tennessee, where he was admitted to the bar in 1817. He owned slaves.[1]

Political career

In 1820, Fulton settled in Florence, Alabama. In 1821, he was elected to the Legislature. He was appointed Secretary of the Arkansas Territory by President Andrew Jackson in 1829.[2] Fulton served as Secretary until 1835, when he was appointed Governor of the Territory. When Arkansas was admitted as a state in 1836, he became one of its first Senators. In the United States Senate he became a member of the Democratic Party. Fulton remained a Senator until his death in 1844.[3]

Death

Fulton died at his home in Little Rock and was buried in the historic Mount Holly Cemetery in Little Rock.

Legacy

Fulton County, Arkansas is named for him.[4][5]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Congress slaveowners", The Washington Post, January 19, 2022, retrieved July 11, 2022
  2. ^ "William Savin Fulton (1795–1844)". The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture. Retrieved August 11, 2012.
  3. ^ "Fulton, William Savin (1795-1844)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved August 9, 2012.
  4. ^ "Profile for Fulton County, Arkansas, AR". ePodunk. Retrieved August 11, 2012.
  5. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 133.

External links

Government offices
Preceded by Secretary of the Arkansas Territory
1829–1835
Succeeded by
Lewis Randolph
Preceded by Governor of Arkansas Territory
1835–1836
Succeeded byas Governor of Arkansas
U.S. Senate
New constituency U.S. Senator (Class 2) from Arkansas
1836–1844
With: Ambrose Hundley Sevier
Succeeded by