Ninian Edwards (1775 - 1833)

Born 17 Mar 1775 in Montgomery County, Maryland

Ancestors

Husband of Elvira (Lane) Edwards — married 1803 in Russellville, Logan, Kentucky, United States

Descendants

Died 20 Jul 1833 at age 58 in Belleville, St. Clair, Illinois, United States

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Preceded by Territory organized March 1, 1809 Preceded by 2nd Governor Edward Coles Preceded by Office established at Statehood, December 3, 1818

Ninian Edwards Governor of Illinois Territory 1809—1818 3rd Governor of Illinois 1826—1830 US Senator (Class 3) from Illinois[1] 1818—1824

Succeeded by 1st Governor Shadrach Bond Succeeded by 4th Governor John Reynolds Succeeded by John McLean

Biography

Ninian Edwards is Notable.

Ninian Edwards was born on 17 Mar 1775 in Montgomery County, Maryland, son of Benjamin Edwards (~1753 - 1826) and Margaret (Beall) Edwards (~1754 - ~1826).

His siblings were:

1. Mary (Edwards) Helm (~1777 - ~1871)
2. Lucretia Maria (Edwards) Green (1792 - 1863)
3. Benjamin Franklin Edwards (1797 - 1877)

Ninian (~28) married Elvira Lane ( - 1839) in 1803 in Russellville, Lawrence, Illinois, United States.

Ninian's son was Ninian Wirt Edwards Jr. (1809 - ~1889).

In the 1820 census Nincan was in Edwardsville, Madison, Illinois.^[2] The household consisted of 4 white males, 4 white females, 3 male slaves and 3 female slaves.

In the 1830 census Ninian is presumed to be living in St Clair, Illinois in his son Nanian's household as the 1 white male aged 50-59.^[3] He was one of 9 persons in the household.

Ninian died on 20 Jul 1833 in Belleville, St. Clair, Illinois, United States aged 58 of Cholera. He is buried in Oak Ridge Cemetery, Springfield, Illinois. His will was written 1 November 1823 and filed in St Clair, Illinois in August 1833 after his death.^[4][5]

Political Career

January 12, 1808, Ninian was appointed as Chief Justice of Kentucky.^[6]

Ninian was 34 years old when he was appointed governor of the Illinois Territory in 1809.^[7] He is the youngest man to ever govern Illinois as a state or a territory. He served 3 terms as governor total, 2 terms of Illinois territory(1809-1818) and then again 1 term as the 3rd Governor of the state of Illinois (1826-1830).

Legacy

• Edwards County, Illinois is named in his honor.

Slaves

In July 1812, Ninian listed slaves for sale.^[8] I have listed them with a guess at their probable ages just for recording purposes.

In the possession of Moses Austin:

1. Male maybe 25-45 years
2. Female maybe 25-45 years
3. Child maybe 0-10 years
4. Child maybe 0-10 years

In the possession of Capt. Barton of Kaskaskia:

1. Female

In his own possession

1. Female
2. Male maybe 15-25 years
3. Male maybe 15-25 years
4. Male maybe 15-25 years
5. Male maybe 15-25 years
6. Boy maybe 10-15 years
7. Boy maybe 10-15 years

In the 1820 census^[2], his household contained 6 slaves:

1. Male under age 14
2. Male under age 14
3. Male age 26-44
4. Female under age 14
5. Female age 14-25
6. Female age 26-44

Sources

1. ↑ Resigned, vacant March 4, 1824 – November 24, 1824 when successor elected.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} 1820 Census: "1820 United States Federal Census"
   1820 U S Census; Census Place: Edwardsville, Madison, Illinois; Page: 114; NARA Roll: M33_11; Image: 110
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 7734 #1357300 (accessed 24 February 2023)
   Nincan Edwards in Edwardsville, Madison, Illinois.
3. ↑ 1830 Census: "1830 United States Federal Census"
   Year: 1830; Census Place: St Clair, Illinois; Series: M19; Roll: 25; Page: 139; Family History Library Film: 0007650
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 8058 #982309 (accessed 24 February 2023)
   Ninnison Edwards in St Clair, Illinois.
4. ↑ Probate: "Illinois, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1772-1999"
   Record of Wills, St. Clair County, Illinois, 1772-1922; Author: Illinois. Probate Court (St. Clair County); Probate Place: St Clair, Illinois
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 9048 #775527 (accessed 24 February 2023)
   Ninian Edwards probate on 1 Nov 1823 in St Clair, Illinois, USA.
5. ↑ Ninian Edwards death of Cholera, Niles National Register, St. Louis, Missouri, 17 Aug 1833, Sat • Page 5, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119668483/ninian-edwards-death-of-cholera/
6. ↑ Ninian Edwards appointed Kentucky Chief Justice, Aurora General Advertiser, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 10 Feb 1808, Wed • Page 2, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119667149/ninian-edwards-appointed-kentucky-chief/
7. ↑ Ninian Edwards appointed Gov of Illinois Territory, Missouri Gazette and Public Advertiser, St. Louis, Missouri, 07 Jun 1809, Wed • Page 3, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119667328/ninian-edwards-appointed-gov-of/
8. ↑ Ninian Edwards Ad for Sale of Slaves, Missouri Gazette and Public Advertiser, St. Louis, Missouri, 04 Jul 1812, Sat • Page 4, https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119667715/ninian-edwards-ad-for-sale-of-slaves/

• Find A Grave Memorial# 19958
• Ninian Edwards on Wikipedia
• Biographical Directory of the United States Congress