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George Poindexter

George Poindexter
GeorgePoindexter.jpg
President pro tempore of the United States Senate
In office
June 28, 1834 – November 30, 1834
Preceded by Hugh Lawson White
Succeeded by John Tyler
United States Senator
from Mississippi
In office
October 15, 1830 – March 3, 1835
Preceded by Robert H. Adams
Succeeded by Robert J. Walker
2nd Governor of Mississippi
In office
January 5, 1820 – January 7, 1822
Preceded by David Holmes
Succeeded by Walter Leake
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Mississippi's at-large congressional district
In office
December 10, 1817 – March 3, 1819
Preceded by William Lattimore (as Territorial Delegate)
Succeeded by Christopher Rankin
Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives from Mississippi Territory's at-large congressional district
In office
March 4, 1807 – March 3, 1813
Preceded by William Lattimore
Succeeded by William Lattimore
Personal details
Born 1779
Louisa County, Virginia
Died September 5, 1853 (aged 73–74)
Jackson, Mississippi
Political party Democratic-Republican
Democratic
Spouse(s) Lydia Carter
Agatha Chinn
Profession Politician, Lawyer, Judge
Religion Baptist

George Poindexter (1779 – September 5, 1853) was an American politician, lawyer and judge from Mississippi. Born in Virginia, he moved to the Mississippi Territory in 1802. He served as United States Representative from the newly admitted state, was elected as Governor (1820–1822), and served as a United States Senator.

Poindexter was born in Louisa County, Virginia in the Piedmont area. He was of French Huguenot and English ancestry. Orphaned early in life, Poindexter had an education that was sporadic even for those times. He may have been the uncle of Ohio abolitionist preacher James Preston Poindexter, whose father was Joseph Poindexter, a journalist at the Richmond Enquirer.

He studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1800, commencing practice in Milton, Virginia (today West Virginia).

After moving to the Mississippi Territory in 1802, Poindexter set up his law practice in Natchez. He soon became a leader in the Democratic-Republican Party and was appointed Attorney General of the Territory. Poindexter was elected as a member of the Territorial House of Representatives in 1804.

Poindexter's outspoken opposition to the Federalist Party resulted in a duel challenge from wealthy merchant and planter Abijah Hunt. Poindexter accepted the challenge, killing Hunt in the duel. There was considerable controversy, with unsubstantiated claims made that Poindexter had fired at Hunt prematurely. Despite the controversy, Poindexter entered politics successfully.


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