Isaac Shelby - First Governor For The State of Kentucky
Isaac Shelby was the first Governor of Kentucky after Statehood.
I’ll be honest, I was interviewed on the Kentucky History Podcast’s Facebook Live last week (which you can see here) and was a bit embarrassed at how little I knew about Shelby. Now a I know a lot and here it is in an article.
Also, if you want to learn more about Kentucky history, Jameson is doing a great job over at the Kentucky History Podcast so check him out here.
Isaac Shelby
Isaac Shelby was born in Maryland but as a teenager traveled with his father to establish a trading post on the Tennessee frontier.
By his mid-20’s, Shelby had been commissioned as an officer in the Virginia Militia and joined the fighting in Dunmore’s War.
This brief conflict, which coincided with the First Continental Congress, was fought between colonials and Native Americans across the Ohio Valley.
During this time, Isaac proved himself as a valuable soldier and began a long military career.
Old Kings Mountain
When the Revolutionary War broke out, Shelby joined the Patriots and served in the Western Theater for several years before joining the Southern Campaign.
His most notable engagement (of which there were many) was the Battle of Kings Mountain where he was able to lead his troops in taking a British fort in a surprise victory. Much of this was accomplished by using a method he called ‘Indian play’ which involved soldiers advancing by running from tree to tree as covering.
He was rewarded by his men with the nickname ‘Old Kings Mountain’ for the rest of his life.
Frontier Leader
Throughout this time, Isaac was elected to both the Virginia and North Carolina Assemblies (though on separate occasions).
After the war, he moved to Kentucky where he became a leader in the movement toward Statehood.
Shelby served in the congress called to write Kentucky’s first constitution and when Statehood was finally achieved he was elected as its first Governor.
Governor
Much of Shelby’s term as Governor was spent organizing the new State Government.
Isaac also had to contend with Native American violence on the border of his young State, which led to him contributing to the United States’ victory in the Northwest Indian War.
Furthermore, he ran into a bit of controversy during the Citizen Genet Affair when he was approached by the French to start a war with Spain. While this move would have been popular with the people of Kentucky at the time, it was viewed with much disdain by the Washington Administration.
Shelby was able to play the role of moderate and keep his State neutral through these discussions.
War of 1812
Shelby retired from public office after his time as Governor, but fifteen years later was called back to serve.
With the outbreak of the War of 1812, Isaac was again elected Governor of Kentucky where he played an active role in supporting General William Henry Harrison. He even led 3,500 soldiers himself in the Battle of the Thames.
Afterward, he was approached to run as James Monroe’s Vice Presidential candidate but declined.
When Monroe became President, he nominated Isaac Shelby as US Secretary of War, though he declined this position also and instead retired to his plantation.
Want to read about more Kentucky Founders?
Check out these articles:
And check out this video about Shelby from the Kentucky History Podcast!
Isaac Shelby actually has several bios written about him.
The most relevant one to our conversations seems to be ‘Kentucky’s First Governor.’
If you’d like a copy you can get one through the Amazon affiliate link below (you’ll support this site, but don’t worry, Amazon pays me while your price stays the same).
