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Note: Elected Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky for the term August 24, 1824 to August 26, 1828. Party affiliation: Democratic Republican, served under Governor Desha. ______________________________________________________________________
General Robert B. McAfee. General Robert B. McAfee represented Mercer County in the Senate 1821-24, 1841, 1845, and was Lieutenant-Governor from 1824 to 1828, and was a member of the house of representatives in 1810-11-12-13, 1815, 1819-20, 1830-31-32. He ran for Lieutenant-Governor in 1824, defeating William B. Blackburn. He was elected with Governor Desha. He was born February, 1784, on Salt River, in Mercer County, and graduated at Transylvania University. He volunteered as a private in a company of riflemen, and was among the first Kentuckians to join the western army. He was subsequently made second lieutenant. He was quartermaster of Colonel Johnson's first regiment. He was commissioned by Governor Shelby to raise a company for Johnson's regiment and marched with them on the 25th day of May, 1813. He had the largest company in the regiment, composed of one hundred and fifty-two men, and it did good service at the battle of the Thames. He presided over the Senate of Kentucky during the heated discussion and contest which arose from the Old and New Court question. In 1833 he was appointed by Jackson Charge d'Affairs to Columbia, and remained there until 1837. In 1842 he was appointed one of the visitors to West Point and elected president of the board; afterward retired from public life and resided on his farm in Mercer County, near the old Providence buryground. He died in 1850. He was the author of a valuable book entitled "History of the Late War," published at Lexington, Kentucky, in 1816, and left a number of historic manuscripts which are worthy of publication, and should have long since been published. Found among papers belonging to Mrs. H. B. Edelen, Pleasant Hill, Missouri.
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McAFEE, ROBERT BRECKINRIDGE. Robert Breckinridge McAfee, legislator and statesman, was born near the Salt river in Mercer County, Kentucky, on February 18, 1784. He was the sixth child of Robert McAfee, and early Kentucky pioneer, and his wife Anne (McCoun). In 1795, after his parents' deaths, his guardians were John Breckinridge, who became attorney general of the United States in the cabinet of President Thomas Jefferson, and James McCoun. McAfee attended Transylvania University 1795-97, and after studying law with Breckinridge was admitted to the bar in 1801. He opened a private practice in Franklin County later that year. In 1800 McAfee was elected to represent Mercer County in the state legislature. He served there until the outbreak of the War of 1812, when he volunteered for service. By war's end he had been promoted to captain. In 1819 he was reelected to the legislature and in 1821 was chosen to serve in the state Senate. He resigned his Senate seat in 1824 to run for lieutenant governor, a post he held until 1828, when he returned to the legislature. McAfee was very active in the Democratic party. He attended the 1832 Baltimore national convention and voted for the nomination of Gen. Andrew Jackson for president and Martin Van Buren for vice president. He left the Kentucky legislature in 1832 and was named charge d' affaires to the Republic of Columbia in 1833, a post he held until 1837. McAfee returned to Kentucky in 1837 and was reelected to the Kentucky Senate in 1841. In 1842 he was appointed to the Board of Visitors at West Point and elected its president. He retired from active public service in 1845 and spent his remaining years in private law practice on his farm in Mercer County. McAfee married Mary Cardwell in October 1807. He was an honorary member of the Kentucky Historical Society and a member of the Royal Antiquarian Society of Denmark. He was also author of History of the War of 1812 in 1816. McAfee died March 12, 1849, and is buried in New Providence Churchyard in Harrodsburg, Kentucky. See Robert B. McAfee, "The Life and Times of Robert B. McAfee," Register 25 (Jan. 1927, May 1927, and Sept. 1927).
______________________________________________________________________ He was an educated man, and was favored with the society and friendship of the best people to be found in Kentucky at the time he was preparing for the active duties of life. As a soldier in the War of 1812, he served with distinction, having commanded the largest company in Colonel Richard M. Johnston's regiment at the battle of the Thames, October, 1813. As a member of the Kentucky Legislature for many years, as Lieutenant Governor of his native State for four years, and as the representative (Charg d Affairs) of the United States at Bogota, Colombia, South America, for a like term, he shed lustre upon the family name. In 1842, he was elected one of the visitors to West Point Military Academy, and was made president of the board. He was a member of the Royal Antiquarian Society of Denmark, and of the Kentucky Historical Society.
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Epitaph:
"In the various relations of life, public and private, his deportment was elevated, his conduct upright, as a husband and father devoted, affectionate, and kind. As a citizen, public spirited, enterprising and courteous. As a Christian active, faithful, constant, and sincere. As a church officer, prompt, hedicious, efficient. As a patriot, ardent, genuine, decided, and beloved. As a soldier, bold, undaunted, and heroic in battle. As a statesman, whether in the service of his country or minister abroad in the house or senate of his native state or as lieutenant-governor and presiding officer of senate, his duties were performed with vigor, energy, and fidelity and received the need of public approbation."
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Will of Robert B. McAfee
"I Robert B. McAfee of Mercer County, Kentucky, calling to mind the uncertainty of life and wishing to dispose of my worldly estate, do hereby constitute this writing as my last will & testament, all which is in my own handwriting. 1st I commend my soul into the hands of Almighty God who gave it in full reliance upon the merits of my Saviour alone and my body to be decently buried by my Executor at New Providence near my little daughter who is buried there, and then I desire that all my just debts be paid.
2nd I will to my son William and his heirs all that part of the farm he lives on, which lies above a line beginning in Salt River at the mouth of the dry valley Branch below his house thence East to the back line if that line will include three hundred & sixty acres or more, but if it will not include the quantity named then to include that No of acres by Beginning lower down on the River and he is to pay to my two daughters Hannah and Eveline seven hundred fifty dollars each within five years after my decease and I will to my daughter Mary C. the ballance of the 2d tract of land except four acres which the trustees of the N. Providence church may have east of the present lott or one acre of which may be taken on the west side I mean the trustees of said branch of N Providence church belonging to the constitutional General assembly of which Dr Rev Thom Cleland is pastor provided the said trustee pay to my said daughter Mary, one hundred dollars within two years after my decease and if not the land is to go to her and her heirs.
3rd It is my further will that my beloved wife Mary and son James shall have the tract of land & plantation on which I reside including my mills as tenants in common during the life of my wife remainder to my son James and his heirs forever but my wife is to have such control of my house as she may choose during her life and they are to pay to my daughter Nancy Hooe seven hundred and fifty dollars to aid in paying for the house and lott she lives on in Harrodsburg and an equal sum to the children of my deceased daughter Sally C. Olds.
4th I will to my wife and son James as tenants in common one hundred acres off the East Side of the tract of land I bought of James Thompson on the west side of Salt River to extend North to Simon Vanarsdalls tract of land, the ballance of said tract of land I will to my daughters Louisiana J. Alexander, Nancy C. Hooe, Hanna J. and Eveline B. & their heirs. The shares of the two latter named to be off the North End including the Phillips place all to have an equal quantity of acres. The first named hundred acres at the decease of my wife shall go to my son James and his heirs.
5th If my son James departs this life unmarried or without children previous to the death of my wife the land willed to him shall continue in my wifes hands during life and then shall be disposed of as she may direct to any four of my children. Robt. B. McAfee the son of my son William being one. But if my son James outlives his mother then he may hold and dispose of the land as he pleases in fee simple.
6th I hold a note on David Magee and John Cardwell for five hundred dollars which is in dispute between the Danville College and Lewis Roses Heirs to be given to the successful party.
7th. I hold another note on David Magee and John Cardwell for about three hundred and forty nine dollars which I will to my daughter Louisiana J. Alexander with its interest.
8th. I will to my wife Mary all my bank stock in the Northern Bank of Kentucky. and Girard Bank of Philadelphia during her life for her support charged with the payment of my note in the Danville Bank by its interest.
9th. After the decease of my wife I will my Northern Bank stock to my sons William & James & my Girard stock to my daughters and their heirs.
10th. I hold a note on my son James for five hundred and two dollars which belongs to Lewis Roses Heirs subject to settlement for my services for which I expect five per cent on the whole Estate.
11th. I will all my religious books to my wife and the ballance to my sons William & James. The first portion willed to my wife she may at her death dispose of to my daughters.
12th. My farming utensils, horses, cattle, sheep & hogs I will to my wife & son James to pay my debts.
13th. I will the choice of five of my blacks to my wife & son James to their own use, remainder after my wifes death to James & his heirs and he is to see his unmarried sisters provided for and supported until they are married. I will my black boy Henry or let ----- at the option of James to my son William.
14th. I will to each of my daughters Mary C., Hannah & Eveline each one black girl or boy the issue of my Black girls Susan & Harriet and if any remain to be divided equally between all my children, to be selected by my wife.
15th. My household & kitchen furniture I will to my wife during her life giving to my unmarried daughters on their marriage and to my son James at my decease such portion as she may choose: I also will my unmarried daughters to have a colt, horse or mare at my wife's option when they marry.
16th. I nominate my sons William & James & my wife Mary my Executors & Executrix with full power to make deeds to any land I have sold and to qualify without appraising my Estate or giving security -- witness my hand and seal this 6th day of April 1846."
Robert B. McAfee (Seal)
He was named for his father's friend, John Breckinridge, a celebrated lawyer of Kentucky, and Attorney General of the United States under President Jefferson.
Military certificate issued for serving under General George Rogers Clark and Col. Benjamin Logan during Indian expeditions of 1786/87, issued Aug. 10, 1787; p. 83 ("Index to Military Certificates," compiled by Jouett Taylor Cannon, Register of Kentucky Historical Society, Vol. 22)
The 1810 federal census for Mercer Co., Kentucky, Unknown Townships, (page 8 of 34 Ancestry.com), shows the following information for Robert B. McAfee: 1 Free white male 10 thru 15 2 Free white males 16 thru 25 1 Free white male 26 thru 44 1 Free white female under 10 2 Free white females 16 thru 25 1 All other free persons 2 Slaves
The 1820 federal census for Mercer Co., Kentucky, Unknown Townships, (page 19 of 29 Ancestry.com), shows the following information for Robert B. McAfee: 2 Free white males under 10 1 Free white male between 16 and 18 4 Free white males of 16 and under 26 3 Free white males of 26 and under 45 2 Free white females under 10 1 Free white female of 10 and under 16 1 Free white female of 26 and under 45 2 Persons engaged in Agriculture 6 Persons engaged in Manufactures 2 Male slaves under 14 2 Male slaves of 14 and under 26 2 Female slaves under 14 1 Female slave of 26 and under 45 1 Female slave of 45 and upwards
The 1830 federal census for Mercer Co., Kentucky, Unknown Townships 2, page 366, (page 123 of 130 Ancestry.com), shows the following information for Robt. B. McAfee: 1 Free white male 10 and under 15 1 Free white male 15 and under 20 1 Free white male 40 and under 50 2 Free white females under 5 1 Free white female 5 and under 10 1 Free white female 10 and under 15 1 Free white female 20 and under 30 1 Free white female 30 and under 40 3 Male slaves under 10 3 Male slaves 10 and under 24 1 Male slave 24 and under 36 2 Female slaves under 10 2 Female slaves 10 and under 24 1 Female slave 24 and under 36 21 Total
The 1840 federal census for Mercer Co., Kentucky, Unknown Townships 3, page 155 or 206, (page 9 of 48 Ancestry.com), shows the following information for R. B. McAfee: 4 Free white males 20 and under 30 1 Free white male 50 and under 60 1 Free white female 5 and under 10 2 Free white females 10 and under 15 1 Free white female 15 and under 20 2 Free white females 20 and under 30 1 Free white female 40 and under 50 1 Male slave under 10 4 Male slaves 10 and under 24 2 Male slaves 24 and under 36 1 Male slave 36 and under 55 2 Female slaves under 10 3 Female slaves 10 and under 24 25 Total 9 Employed in Agriculture
Name: Robert B. McAfee State of Residency: Kentucky Title: ChargÈ d'Affaires Appointment: Feb 9, 1833 Presentation of Credentials: Jul 1, 1833 Termination of Mission: Presented recall, Jun 20, 1837 Note: Commissioned to New Granada.
Source: http://www.state.gov/www/about_state/history/chiefs/colombia.html
McAfee, General Robert B. "He was among the first born of Kentucky's citizens, and lived and died near the spot of his birth ... He served a campaign in the North Western Army in the war of 1812, and afterwards wrote the history of that war. He served many years in the Legislature of this State, being repeatedly elected to both branches. He was elected Lt. Governor of the State (1824-1828)." Yeoman, 22 Mar. 1849. His account of the war of 1812 was History of the Late War in the Western Country ... Worsley & Smith, Lexington, Kentucky., 1816. In volume 25 (1927) of The Register of the Kentucky Historical Society was published his The Life and Times of Robert B. McAfee and his family and connections. Written by himself. Commenced April 23rd, 1845, and in volume 29 (1931) his The History of the rise and progress of the first settlement on Salt River and the establishment of the New Providence Church. Source: Notes on Kentucky Veterans of the War of 1812, Family Tree Maker, CD519, Early Kentucky Settlers, 1700s-1800s
He served in the War of 1812 during the period from May 20, 1813 to November 19, 1813, as a Captain. He commanded a company of Kentucky Mounted Infantry, under Colonel Richard M. Johnson. Source: Kentucky Soldiers of the War of 1812, page 30
McAfee, Robert Breckinridge, lawyer, b. in Mercer county, Ky., in February, 1784; d. there, 12 March, 1849. His ancestors left Sinking Creek, Botetourt co., Va., 1 June, 1773, and settled in Kentucky, where they were conspicuous in the Indian warfare of the time. Robert was educated at various schools and at Transylvania seminary, studied law, and began practice in Mercer county. He was one of the first Kentuckians to join the northwestern army at the opening of the war of 1812, and became successively sergeant, ensign, and 2d lieutenant. He was quartermaster in Col. Richard M. Johnson's regiment when it relieved Fort Wayne from a threatened Indian attack. In 1813 he became captain in this regiment, and was actively employed on the frontier. At the close of the war he retired to his farm in Mercer county, and in 1819 was elected to the legislature. From 1820 till 1824 (1824 - 1828) he was lieutenant-governor of Kentucky. He presided over the senate during the bitter and exciting contest known as the new and old court controversy, which virtually involved the question of the repudiation of a debt of doubtful legality by the state, and which was decided by the maintenance of all its obligations, though they had been obtained by fraud. He declined an election to congress in 1829, and served again in the legislature in 1831-32 Mr. McAfee was a member of the Baltimore convention of 1832 which nominated Gen. Jackson for president. From 1833 till 1837 he resided at Bogota, Columbia, as U.S. charge' d' affaires. In 1841 he again served in the state senate, and in 1845 he retired from public life. He was a member of the Royal antiquarian society of Denmark, and an honorary member of the Kentucky historical society. He wrote a "History of the War of 1812" (Lexington, 1816), and was the author of a private journal containing much information relative to the early history of Kentucky. Source: Appletons' Cyclopaedia of American Biography, p. 70
Capt. Robert B. McAfee’s Company of Colonel Richard M. Johnson’s Regiment Kentucky Mounted Infantry. Enlisted May 20, 1813 - November 20, 1813. In response to orders of Colonel Richard Johnson his regiment of mounted militia rendezvoused near Great Crossing in Scott County, and proceeded north to the theater of operations against the enemy. After reaching their post, Johnson’s men were engaged in various duties , including scouting for enemy activity in the area, re-supply of outposts, and marched against enemy Indian towns which were found to be abandoned. In the late summer of 1813 Johnsonës regiment passed over the battlefield of the River Raisin and while camped here recovered and buried the remains of a good number of Kentuckians massacred here nine months before. Over the next few days Johnson led his men through Detroit and into Canada in pursuit of General Proctor’s army. In Early October, the mounted regiment was joined by General Harrison and Governor Shelby in command of over 3000 Kentuckians and on the 5 of that month met the British and their Indian allies in a decisive battle on the River Thames where over 600 British regulars were captured and the great war chief Tecumseh was killed, breaking the alliance and effectively ending all hostile activity in that sector. According to McAfee’s account of the battle, Johnson’s mounted men were divided to give support to two advancing columns. His company was attached to the wing opposing the British troops, and after breaking through the enemy lines gave pursuit of General Proctor, who made an escape from the battle. McAfee’s company numbering over 100 men was the largest in the regiment, and was given the honor of guarding the captured British officers and men taken prisoners after the battle. Information provided by Luther Allen Davenport
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