Christopher Greenup (c. 1750 – April 27, 1818) was an American politician who served as a U.S. Representative and the third governor of Kentucky. Little is known about his early life; the first reliable records about him are documents recording his service in the Revolutionary War where he served as a lieutenant in the Continental Army and a colonel in the Virginia militia.

After his service in the war, Greenup helped settle the trans-Appalachian regions of Virginia. He became involved in politics, and played an active role in three of the ten statehood conventions that secured the separation of Kentucky from Virginia in 1792. He became one of the state's first representatives, and served in the Kentucky General Assembly before being elected governor in a race where, due to his immense popularity, he ran unopposed.

Greenup's term in office was marred by accusations that he had participated in the Burr Conspiracy to align Kentucky with Spain prior to the former's separation from Virginia, but he vigorously and successfully rebutted these charges. Following his term as governor, he became less active in the political arena. He died on April 27, 1818. Greenup County, Kentucky and its county seat were both named in his honor.

Early life in Virginia

Christopher Greenup was most likely born in Fairfax County in the Virginia Colony around 1750. His early education was attained at the local schools of the area. He learned surveying and studied law under Colonel Charles Binns at Charles City County, Virginia. During the American Revolutionary War, he served in Grayson's Additional Continental Regiment as a lieutenant, and may have seen action at Brandywine and Germantown. He resigned his commission during the Valley Forge encampment in 1778, but later served as a colonel in the Virginia militia. He was admitted to practice law in the county court in 1782. Following Virginia's creation of Kentucky County in 1783, he was admitted to the bar of the district court of Harrodsburg and served as clerk from 1785 to 1792. The committee was also responsible for revising acts and surveys related to land and water surveys in the area. In 1789, he helped organize the Kentucky Manufacturing Society. H.E. Everman, biographer of fellow delegate James Garrard, noted that despite Greenup's excellent legal background and legislative experience, his lack of oratorical skills prevented him from taking more of a leadership role in the conventions.

When Kentucky was admitted to the Union in 1792, Greenup moved to Frankfort where he was rewarded for his efforts on behalf of the state by being chosen as an elector for the state's senators and governor. Following this, he was appointed to the court of oyer and terminer, but resigned immediately to accept a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. He was one of Kentucky's first two representatives in the House, and was elected to three successive terms, serving from November 9, 1792, to March 3, 1797. Greenup garnered a majority of the vote in fifteen counties, just one fewer than Garrard, but Garrard enjoyed strong support in the populous central Kentucky counties and received 8,390 votes, compared with 6,746 for Greenup, 3,996 for Logan, and 2,166 for Todd. Garrard appointed Greenup judge of the circuit court in 1802. Greenup, however, intended to make another run at the governorship, and at his request, Garrard withdrew the nomination days later. Shelby made the appointment, and when Hardin, resigned December 15, 1812, Shelby nominated Greenup as his replacement. According to legend, her ghostly image has appeared in clock faces and mirrors inside the mansion. Greenup County, Kentucky was named in his honor, as was its county seat of Greenup, Kentucky.

See also

Footnotes

References

Bibliography

  • Ward, Harry M. "Greenup, Christopher" (1750–1818), governor and congressman. American National Biography. Retrieved 24 Oct. 2021.

Further reading

  • Christopher Greenup at The Political Graveyard
  • Service record from Francis B. Heitman's Historical Register of Officers of the Continental Army