EXTENT:

1 folder

SOURCE:

Purchase, 2008

ACCESS:

Unrestricted access.

REPRODUCTION:

All copies must be made by the Archivists or designated agent.

COPYRIGHT:

Copyright has been acquired by Georgetown College.

PREFERRED CITATION:

[identification of item(s)], Papers of James Fisher Robinson, C.J. and Frances Lyons Bolton Archives, Ensor Learning Resource Center, Georgetown College, Georgetown.

PROCESSING:

Processor: Glen Taul

Date Processed: 3 July 2008

Control Level: Item

Filename: Papers of James F. Robinson—Letter, 1847

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE:

JAMES F. ROBINSON, Kentucky's twenty-second governor, was born in Scott County, Kentucky on October 4, 1800. His education was attained at the Forest Hill Academy and at Transylvania University, where he graduated from in 1818. He studied law, was admitted to the bar, and established a successful legal career in Georgetown, Kentucky. Robinson entered politics in 1851, serving as a member of the Kentucky State Senate, a position he was reelected to in 1861. He served as senate president for a short time in 1861, and was reelected to the same position on August 16, 1862. Two days later, Governor Beriah Magoffin resigned from office, and because there was no lieutenant governor at the time, Robinson, who was senate president, assumed the duties of the governorship. During his tenure, he worked to institute the state as a supporter of the Union. However, Kentucky was soon occupied by Confederate troops, and the federal government's policies on troop conscriptions and military detainments were imposed on the state. After leaving office, Robinson resumed his duties as State Senator, completing the term he was elected to in 1861. In 1865, he retired from political life to his Scott County farm. He stayed active practicing law, and served as the chairman of the board of trustees for Georgetown College. He also served as president of the Farmers' Bank of Georgetown. Governor James F. Robinson passed away on October 31, 1882, and was buried at the Georgetown Cemetery in Georgetown, Kentucky.

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE:

The collection consists of one letter written by J.F. Robinson in 1847. Robinson writes to W.P. Wilstack of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, updating him on two legal matters that Robinson is handling. “G. Davis” is one of the clients mentioned, which could be Garrett Davis, who had just finished his tenure in the U.S. House of Representatives from Kentucky, and would later serve in the U.S. Senate, 1861-1872.

ARRANGEMENT NOTE:

Organized as correspondence only. However, it is included among a collection of smaller individual papers of people who were or are connected to Georgetown College as alumni, trustees, etc.

FINDING AID NOTE:

Finding aid: http://library.georgetowncollege.edu/Special_Collections/Finding_Aids.htm; On-site.

RELATED COLLECTIONS IN OTHER REPOSITORIES:

Governor James F. Robinson Papers, 1862-1863, Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601; Edward S. Theobald papers, 1862-1863, University of Kentucky Special Collections and Digital Programs, Lexington, Kentucky 40506.

Box 1

Papers of James Fisher Robinson

Letter—1847