Governor of Kentucky: Served 1832-1834
Born about 2 miles from New London
Died in Office
Breathitt county is located in eastern Kentucky. It was formed in 1839 and named for John Breathitt. He was Lieutenant-governor of Kentucky Served: August 26, 1828 - September 4, 1832 under Governor Metcalfe. Described as a Jacksonian Democrat in some biographical sketches. he was the only Democratic Governor elected in Kentucky between 1828 and 1850 but faced an opposition majority in legislature.

HISTORY of KENTUCKY, by Lewis Collins, and J.A. & U.P. James,
published 1847. Reprinted by Henry Clay Press, Lexington, Ky.,
1968, pp. 211-212 [Logan county].

JOHN BREATHITT, late governor of Kentucky, (for whom this county was called) was a native of the state of Virginia. He was the eldest child of William Breathitt, and was born on the ninth day of September, 1786, about two miles from New London, near the road leading to Lynchburg. His father removed from Virginia, and settled in Logan county, Kentucky, in the year 1800, where he raised a family of five sons and four daughters. The old gentleman was a farmer, possessed a few servants and a tract of land, but not sufficiently wealthy to give his children collegiate educations. The schools of his neighborhood (for it should be remembered the Green river country was a wilderness in 1800), afforded but few opportunities for the advancement of pupils. John, the subject of this notice, made the best use of the means for improvement, placed within his reach, and by diligent attention to his books, made himself a good surveyor. Before he arrived at age, he received an appointment as deputy surveyor of the public lands, and in that capacity, surveyed many townships in the state of Illinois, then a territory of the United States. John Breathitt taught a country school in early life, and by his industry and economy, as teacher and surveyor, he acquired property rapidly, consisting mostly in lands, which were easily obtained under the acts of the assembly appropriating the public domain. After his earnings had secured a capital capable of sustaining him a few years, he resolved to read law, which he did under the direction of the late Judge Wallace. He was admitted to the bar as a qualified attorney, in February, 1810. His industry and capacity for business, soon secured him a lucrative practice; and from this time he rapidly advanced in public estimation. In 1810 or '11, he was elected to represent the county of Logan in the house of representatives of the general assembly, and filled the same office for several years in succession. In 1828, he was elected lieutenant governor of the commonwealth, the duties of which station he filled with great dignity and propriety. In 1832, he was elected governor, but did not live to the end of his official term. He died in the governor's house, in Frankfort, on the 21st of February, 1834. It is not the design of the writer to notice the political principles, official acts, and measures of policy recommended or executed by Governor Breathitt. These may be found among the archives and records of the county, and their consideration here would swell this article to the magnitude of a lengthy work. It may not, however, be improper to say, that Governor Breathitt acted with the democratic party, and espoused with warmth the election of General Jackson to the presidency in 1828 and 1832.

Governor Breathitt had two wives, both of whom he survived. The first was Miss Whitaker, daughter of William Whitaker of Logan county; and the second was Miss Susan M. Harris, daughter of Richard Harris, of Chesterfield, county, Virginia. Governor Breathitt, in all his transactions, was considerate and cautious. Rashness was no part of his character. He was nevertheless, firm, and pursued his objects with great assiduity, after resolving upon the course he intended to pursue. He did not commit himself in favor of any measure, without beforehand weighing the consequences with much deliberation. As a husband, father, friend and neighbor, it is not too much to say that Govrnor Breathitt had no superior. In all the relations of life, he was actuated by a spirit of indulgence and benevolence. The comfort and happiness of others, with him were objects of pre-eminent solictitude. His affection and kindness to his relations, manifested itself in an eminent degree, by the assistance he gave his father, and the liberal expenditures he made in educating his brothers and sisters. To associates of his profession, he was uniformly courteous, and ever ready to give the younger members of the bar aid and instruction.

The Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable
Americans: Volume I A

BREATHITT, John, governor of Kentucky, was born in Loudoun county, Va., Sept. 9, 1786. His father removed to Kentucky in 1800 and John was a surveyor and teacher there. He was admitted
to the bar in 1810 and practised in Frankfort, Ky. He was for several years a representative in the state legislature, elected as a Jacksonian Democrat; and was Lieutenant-governor of Kentucky, 1828-'32, was inaugurated governor June 1, 1832, holding the office at the time of his death in Frankfort, Ky., Feb. 21, 1834.

Herringshaw's Encyclopedia of American Biography of the Nineteenth Century.
page 143

BREATHITT, JOHN, educator, lawyer, legislator, governor, was born Sept. 9, 1786, in New London, Va. He was a surveyor and school teacher; and was admitted to the bar in 1810. He was
several years in the legislature; was lieutenant governor from 1828 to 1832; and was governor of Kentucky from 1832 to 1834. He died Feb. 21, 1834, in Frankfort, Ky.

State of Kentucky placed a spade of earth from this grave and erected a monument in his honor in Maple Grove Cemetery, Russelville


Lawyers and Lawmakers of Kentucky, by H. Levin, editor, 1897. Published by Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago. Reprinted by Southern Historical Press. p. 482. Logan County.

JOHN BREATHITT, governor of Kentucky, was born near New London, Virginia, on the 9th of September, 1786. In 1800 his father removed to Logan county, and John acquired a fair education there. He became proficient in surveying and served as deputy in surveying lands in Illinois during the territorial days. Subsequently he engaged in teaching school, but preferring a broader field he studied law under the direction of Judge Caleb Wallace, and was admitted to the bar in 1810. His thorough understanding of the principles of law and his aptness in applying them to the points in controversy, combined with his honorable business methods, made him successful.
In 1811 he was elected to represent Logan county in the general assembly and was several times re-elected. In 1828 he was elected lieutenant-governor, filling the position with distinguished ability for four years; and in 1832 was elected governor, but died before the expiration of his term, at the governor's residence in Frankfort, February 21, 1834. In politics he was a Democrat and stood in great favor with his party; his public career was irreproachable. He was a man of high character, always commanded the confidence and respect of those with whom he was associated. He left the impress of his strong individuality upon the legislation of the state.


1820 Census Ky Logan
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