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Mathews-Williams Family Genealogy
Notes
John Cabell Breckenridge/ Maj. Gen. US VP
Major General John C. Breckenridge, CSA. U.S. Vice President under James Buchanan, 1857-1861; US Congressman, 1851-1855; U.S. Senator, 1861; Confederate States Secretary of War, 1865;
John Cabell Breckenridge, born at Lexington, KY, January 16, 1821; graduated at Centre College, KY; studied law; admitted to the bar at Lexington, KY, "and from thence, whilst still a mere youth, he went out to the active duties of life, first going to Burlington, Iowa, but soon returning to his native city, where his great talent as a public speaker soon gave him a high position in his profession." He married Mary Cirene Birch, of Scott County, KY, December 12, 1843. He served in the Mexican War as Major of a Kentucky volunteer regiment, under Gen. Scott, with credit, and distinguished himself as the counsel of Gen. Pillow during the famous court martial. "He fought heroically at Buena Vista, and was selected by the voice of Kentucky to deliver the funeral oration at Frankfort appointed by the legislature in honor of his countrymen who fell on that field of glory."
He was a Democrat in politics, and first entered political life in 1849, when he was elected a representative of his native county in the Kentucky legislature. In 1851, he defeated Gen. Leslie Combs for the United States House of Representatives in the Ashland Congressional District. This was Henry Clay's district, and at Mr. Clay's death it devolved upon him to announce the fact to the House of Representatives, which he did, on June 30, 1852, with a eulogy on the deceased which has rarely been equaled in matter or manner. In 1853, he defeated ex-Gov. Letcher for the same office in the same district. In the Democratic National Convention at Cincinnati in 1856, he was unanimously nominated for the Vice-Presidency of the United States; was elected in November following, and was Vice President from March 4, 1857, to March 4, 1861, -- at an earlier age, I believe, than any of his predecessors. In the Baltimore Convention of 1860, "he was, without his consent and contrary to his wishes," unanimously nominated as their candidate for the Presidency by the States-Right Democrats. At the election in November, he was defeated, but he received, under the circumstances, a very large vote.
Kentucky elected him as one of her Senators to the United States Congress, and he took his seat as such on March 4, 1861. After doing what he deemed it to be his duty to do in the Senate, in September he was constrained to resign, and on October 8, 1861 he issued an address to the citizens of Kentucky, rendering an account of his stewardship. He tendered his services to the Southern Confederacy, and was promptly appointed a brigadier-general by President Davis. On December4, 1861, the United States Senate went through the form of expelling him. On August 5, 1862, for gallant and efficient military services, he was promoted to major-general in the CSA. He fought at Shiloh, Corinth, Vicksburg, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, and other memorable engagements in the South and West, and at New Market, Cold Harbor, Monocacy, and other famous battles in the East. He was Secretary of War of the Confederacy from February 5 to April 26, 1865. After the surrender of Lee, he was with Gen. Joseph E. Johnston in North Carolina; joined President Davis, his cabinet and escort, in their flight, and was for a time in command of the last hope of the Confederacy. With his son Cabell and two companions, he escaped in an open boat from the coast of Florida, and in eight days landed upon the coast of Cuba. He remained in foreign lands until the fall of 1868, when he returned home, where he quietly practiced his profession until the end of his days. He died at Lexington, KY, May 17, 1875.
He had great social tact, very fascinating manners, and almost unequaled conversational powers. A person unusually imposing, a countenance remarkably expressive and handsome, a voice strong and clear and sweet, were some of the natural auxiliaries to his wonderful oratory. His achievements as lawyer, politician, and warrior, between his 21st and 44th years, have seldom been equaled. (Source: "The Cabells and Their Kin", Brown, pp. 538-540).
John Cabell Breckenridge/ Maj. Gen. US VP
Major General John C. Breckenridge, CSA. U.S. Vice President under James Buchanan, 1857-1861; US Congressman, 1851-1855; U.S. Senator, 1861; Confederate States Secretary of War, 1865;
John Cabell Breckenridge, born at Lexington, KY, January 16, 1821; graduated at Centre College, KY; studied law; admitted to the bar at Lexington, KY, "and from thence, whilst still a mere youth, he went out to the active duties of life, first going to Burlington, Iowa, but soon returning to his native city, where his great talent as a public speaker soon gave him a high position in his profession." He married Mary Cirene Birch, of Scott County, KY, December 12, 1843. He served in the Mexican War as Major of a Kentucky volunteer regiment, under Gen. Scott, with credit, and distinguished himself as the counsel of Gen. Pillow during the famous court martial. "He fought heroically at Buena Vista, and was selected by the voice of Kentucky to deliver the funeral oration at Frankfort appointed by the legislature in honor of his countrymen who fell on that field of glory."
He was a Democrat in politics, and first entered political life in 1849, when he was elected a representative of his native county in the Kentucky legislature. In 1851, he defeated Gen. Leslie Combs for the United States House of Representatives in the Ashland Congressional District. This was Henry Clay's district, and at Mr. Clay's death it devolved upon him to announce the fact to the House of Representatives, which he did, on June 30, 1852, with a eulogy on the deceased which has rarely been equaled in matter or manner. In 1853, he defeated ex-Gov. Letcher for the same office in the same district. In the Democratic National Convention at Cincinnati in 1856, he was unanimously nominated for the Vice-Presidency of the United States; was elected in November following, and was Vice President from March 4, 1857, to March 4, 1861, -- at an earlier age, I believe, than any of his predecessors. In the Baltimore Convention of 1860, "he was, without his consent and contrary to his wishes," unanimously nominated as their candidate for the Presidency by the States-Right Democrats. At the election in November, he was defeated, but he received, under the circumstances, a very large vote.
Kentucky elected him as one of her Senators to the United States Congress, and he took his seat as such on March 4, 1861. After doing what he deemed it to be his duty to do in the Senate, in September he was constrained to resign, and on October 8, 1861 he issued an address to the citizens of Kentucky, rendering an account of his stewardship. He tendered his services to the Southern Confederacy, and was promptly appointed a brigadier-general by President Davis. On December4, 1861, the United States Senate went through the form of expelling him. On August 5, 1862, for gallant and efficient military services, he was promoted to major-general in the CSA. He fought at Shiloh, Corinth, Vicksburg, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, and other memorable engagements in the South and West, and at New Market, Cold Harbor, Monocacy, and other famous battles in the East. He was Secretary of War of the Confederacy from February 5 to April 26, 1865. After the surrender of Lee, he was with Gen. Joseph E. Johnston in North Carolina; joined President Davis, his cabinet and escort, in their flight, and was for a time in command of the last hope of the Confederacy. With his son Cabell and two companions, he escaped in an open boat from the coast of Florida, and in eight days landed upon the coast of Cuba. He remained in foreign lands until the fall of 1868, when he returned home, where he quietly practiced his profession until the end of his days. He died at Lexington, KY, May 17, 1875.
He had great social tact, very fascinating manners, and almost unequaled conversational powers. A person unusually imposing, a countenance remarkably expressive and handsome, a voice strong and clear and sweet, were some of the natural auxiliaries to his wonderful oratory. His achievements as lawyer, politician, and warrior, between his 21st and 44th years, have seldom been equaled. (Source: "The Cabells and Their Kin", Brown, pp. 538-540).
John Cabell Breckenridge died in infancy.
John Witherspoon Owen Breckenridge
John Witherspoon Owen Breckenridge attended Washington & Lee University, 1869-1870. He was pursuing a successful career as a lawyer and member of the State Senate of California, when he died, May 9, 1892, at his home in Mercer County, California, leaving several children.
Alexander Breckinridge emigrated from Ireland to Pennsylvania in 1728. He afterwards moved to Augusta County, Virginia, and settled near the present city of Staunton. His ancestors were originally from Scotland.
James Breckenridge was a lawyer in Virginia, a member of the legislature of Virginia, and a member of Congress from that state in 1809-1817.
Charles Carroll was the last surviving signer of the Declaration of Independence.