Stephen Watts Kearney

Stephen W. Kearny
Military Governor of New Mexico
In office August 1846 – September 1846
Preceded by	Juan Bautista Vigil y Alarid
Succeeded by	Sterling Price
3rd Military Governor of California
In office February 23, 1847 – May 31, 1847
Preceded by
Succeeded by	Richard Barnes Mason
Personal details
Born	Stephen Watts Kearny August 30, 1794 Newark, New Jersey
Died	October 31, 1848(1848-10-31) (aged 54) St. Louis, Missouri
Profession	Soldier
Military service
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	Cavalry
Years of service	1812 – 1848
Rank	Brigadier General Bvt. Major General
Unit	Cantonment Missouri
Commands	Jefferson Barracks The Old Guard 1st U.S. Dragoons Army of the West Veracruz Mexico City
Battles/wars	War of 1812 Mexican-American War Battle of San Pascual

Stephen Watts Kearny (/ˈkɑːrni/ KAR-nee; surname also appears as Kearney in some historic sources; August 30, 1794 – October 31, 1848), was one of the foremost antebellum frontier officers of the United States Army. He is remembered for his significant contributions in the Mexican–American War, especially the conquest of California. The Kearny code, which was proclaimed on September 22, 1846 in Santa Fe, established the law and government of the newly acquired territory of New Mexico, was named after him. His nephew was Major General Philip Kearny of American Civil War fame.

Kearny was born in Newark, New Jersey, the son of Philip Kearny Sr. and Susanna Watts. His maternal grandparents were the wealthy merchant Robert Watts of New York and Mary Alexander, the daughter of Major General "Lord Stirling" William Alexander and Sarah "Lady Stirling" Livingston of American Revolutionary War fame. Stephen Watts Kearny went to public schools. After high school, he attended Columbia University in New York City for two years. He joined the New York Militia soon after he left school in 1812, beginning his military career.

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