Charles Lynch (politician)

Charles Lynch (1783  February 9, 1853) was a Democratic and Whig politician who served as Governor of Mississippi and was a former slave owner.

Charles Lynch
8th and 11th Governor of Mississippi
In office
June 12, 1833  November 20, 1833
Preceded byAbram M. Scott
Succeeded byHiram Runnels
In office
January 7, 1836  January 8, 1838
Preceded byJohn A. Quitman
Succeeded byAlexander G. McNutt
Member of the Mississippi State Senate
In office
1827
In office
1832–1833
Personal details
Born1783 (1783)
Jefferson County, Virginia
(in modern-day Shelby County, Kentucky)
Died (aged 69–70)
Monticello, Mississippi, U.S.

Biography

Charles Lynch was born in 1783, in what is now Shelby County, Kentucky (then a part of Jefferson County, Virginia – Kentucky would be formed from Virginia and admitted as a state in its own right in 1792). He was educated in Kentucky, became a farmer, and lived in Sumter, South Carolina before moving to Monticello, Mississippi. According to the 1820 US Federal Census, Lynch also owned 7 slaves. Originally a Democrat, he was appointed Lawrence County Judge of Probate in 1821. He was elected to the Mississippi State Senate and served in 1827. In 1831 he was an unsuccessful candidate for Governor, and in 1832 he was a Delegate to the state constitutional convention.

Lynch returned to the Mississippi Senate in 1832. He was elected President of the Senate and in June 1833 he succeeded Governor Abram L. Scott, who had died in office. He completed Scott's term, serving until November 1833, when he was succeeded by Hiram Runnels.

In 1835 Lynch, now a Whig, ran successfully for Governor. He took office in January 1836 and served a two-year term. During his tenure Mississippi became involved in central banking through the chartering of the Union Bank. In addition, 10 new counties were formed. The Panic of 1837 had a negative effect on Mississippi's economy, and Lynch did not run for reelection.

After his term expired in January 1838, Lynch remained active in government as the state's Commissioner of Public Buildings. He was also active in business as President of the Alabama and Mississippi Railroad and Bank.

He died on February 9, 1853, and was buried at Greenwood Cemetery in Jackson, Mississippi.

Sources

Party political offices
Preceded by
Abram M. Scott
Whig nominee for Governor of Mississippi
1835
Vacant
Title next held by
Edward Turner
Political offices
Preceded by
Abram M. Scott
Governor of Mississippi
1833
Succeeded by
Hiram Runnels
Preceded by
John A. Quitman
Governor of Mississippi
1836–1838
Succeeded by
Alexander G. McNutt


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