William Savin Fulton (1795 - 1844)

Born 2 Jun 1795 in Cecil County, Maryland, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Matilda Frances (Nowland) Fulton — married 9 Feb 1823 in Laduerdale, Alabama

Descendants

Died 15 Aug 1844 at age 49 in Little Rock, Pulaski, Arkansas, United States

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Preceded by
3rd Territorial Governor John Pope

4th Governor of Arkansas Territory
1825 - 1836

Succeeded by
James Sevier Conway

Preceded by

'US Senator (Class 2) from Arkansas
1836 - 1944

Succeeded by
Chester Ashley

Biography

William Fulton is Notable.

William Savin Fulton is a notable figure in American history due to his multifaceted contributions as a politician, lawyer, and military volunteer. Serving as the last Territorial governor of Arkansas and later becoming one of its first Senators after statehood, Fulton played a crucial role in Arkansas's early development and transition to statehood. His service as a private secretary to General Andrew Jackson during the Seminole War, and his role in defending Fort McHenry during the War of 1812, showcased his dedication to the country's defense. Additionally, his influence in territorial politics, appointments of family members to important positions, and his stance on Arkansas statehood drew significant attention and debate. Fulton's lasting impact is reflected in the naming of Fulton County, Arkansas, and his burial at the historic Mount Holly Cemetery, solidifying his place as a notable and influential individual in American history.

William Savin Fulton was born on June 2, 1795, in Cecil County, Maryland^[1], to David Fulton, an Irish immigrant, and Elizabeth Savin, a native of Maryland.^[2] Thanks to his mother's wealth, he received a formal education, attending Reverend Samuel Knox's school in 1803. Later, he graduated from Baltimore College in 1813 and began his legal studies under the guidance of William Pinckney. Even before reaching adulthood, Fulton volunteered for the defense of Fort McHenry during the War of 1812, serving as a corporal in the prestigious Baltimore Fencibles alongside his father. They were part of the critical defense during the fourteen-hour naval bombardment at Fort McHenry. After the war, he moved with his father to Tennessee and continued his legal studies under Felix Grundy.^[2][3]

In 1818, Fulton volunteered with the Nashville Guards and traveled to Florida, where he served as a private secretary to General Andrew Jackson during the Seminole War.^[4]

Following his service with Jackson, Fulton settled in Florence, Alabama, where he practiced law after gaining admission to the bar. He also contributed editorials to the Democratic newspaper, the Florence Gazette. In the 1820s, he was elected judge of Lauderdale County, Alabama. In 1823, he married his first cousin, Matilda Frances Nowland, and together they had several children.^[2][5][6]

In 1829, President Andrew Jackson appointed Fulton as the secretary to Arkansas, replacing the Whig candidate Robert Crittenden. During Governor John Pope's frequent absences from Arkansas, Fulton often acted as governor or represented territorial interests in Washington DC. He utilized his political influence to appoint family members to various positions within the territory. His brother John became secretary to Governor Pope, his father served as postmaster of Little Rock, and his brother-in-law became a merchant at Fort Gibson in the Indian Territory. Fulton also acquired property and built an estate called Rosewood, which would later be the site of the Arkansas governor's mansion.^[2] He was a slave holder.^[7]

On May 9, 1835, President Andrew Jackson appointed him the last Territorial governor of Arkansas. Fulton gained attention for his stance on whether Arkansas should become the twenty-fifth state in the Union. He was generally opposed to statehood, believing that the people and resources were not adequately prepared. This position earned him criticism from politicians, newspapers, and the public.^[2]

Ultimately, Arkansas was admitted as a state in 1836, and Fulton became one of its first Senators. He served as Arkansas’s first junior senator after statehood until his untimely death on August 15, 1844.^[2][5]

Fulton's demise occurred in the late fall of 1844. According to family lore, he slept in a newly painted room during one of his visits to Rosewood and mysteriously died in his sleep. He was laid to rest in the historic Mount Holly Cemetery in Little Rock. Today, Fulton County Arkansas, bears his name in honor of his contributions.^[2][5][8]

Additional Information

• Fulton County, Arkansas is named in his honor.

Sources

1. ↑ Maryland, U.S., Births and Christenings Index, 1662-1911: Ancestry.com. Maryland, U.S., Births and Christenings Index, 1662-1911 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011. Original data: "Maryland Births and Christenings, 1600–1995." Index. FamilySearch, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2009, 2010. Index entries derived from digital copies of original and compiled records. Ancestry Record 2565 #90126
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6} Baker, Lea Flowers, Encylopedia of Arkansas, last updated on 16 Jun 2023. "William Savin Fulton (1795–1844)." Accessed 31 Jul 2023.
3. ↑ North America, Family Histories, 1500-2000: Book Title: Historic Sumner County, Tennessee : with genealogies of the Bledsoe, Cage and Douglass families and Ancestry Record 61157 #4039108
4. ↑ Appletons' Cyclopedia of American Biography, 1600-1889: Appletons' Cyclopedia of American Biography; Volume: Vol. II Ancestry Record 61360 #14233
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1 5.2} Wikipedia Contributors. Wikpedia, The Free Encylopedia, last edited on 25 Jul 2023. "William S. Fulton." Accessed 31 Jul 2023.
6. ↑ Alabama, U.S., Select Marriage Indexes, 1816-1942: Ancestry.com. Alabama, U.S., Select Marriage Indexes, 1816-1942 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc, 2014. Original data: Alabama, Marriages, 1816-1957. Salt Lake City, Utah: FamilySearch, 2013. Ancestry Record 60000 #1453486
7. ↑ TCU Digital Repository, Mary Couts Burnett Library, 2014. "Bursting to speak my mind: how Matilda Fulton challenged the boundaries of womanhood in frontier Arkansas." Accessed 31 Jul 2023.
8. ↑ Burial: Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/22363/william-savin-fulton: accessed 31 July 2023), memorial page for William Savin Fulton (2 Jun 1795–15 Aug 1844), Find A Grave: Memorial #22363, citing Mount Holly Cemetery, Little Rock, Pulaski County, Arkansas, USA; Maintained by Find a Grave.

• Find A Grave Memorial# 22363
• William S. Fulton on Wikipedia
• Biographical Directory of the United States Congress