Stephen Watts Kearny
| 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 | August 30, 1794 Newark, New Jersey |
| Died | October 31, 1848 (aged 54) St. Louis, Missouri |
| Profession | Soldier |
| Awards |
Fort Kearny named for him. Camp Kearny, San Diego, named after him. |
| 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. DragoonsArmy 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.
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.
In the late 1820s after his career was established, Kearny met, courted and married Mary Radford, the stepdaughter of William Clark of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The couple had eleven children, of whom six died in childhood.
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