William S. Fulton

William Savin Fulton (June 2, 1795 – August 15, 1844) was an American lawyer and politician who served as a United States Senator from Arkansas from 1836 until his death in 1844. He had previously served as the fourth governor of Arkansas Territory, from 1835 to 1836, and the second secretary of the Arkansas Territory from 1829 to 1835.

For the American archeologist, see William Shirley Fulton. For other persons with similar names, see William Fulton (disambiguation).

William S. Fulton
United States Senator
from Arkansas
In office
September 18, 1836 – August 15, 1844
Preceded bynew constituency
Succeeded byChester Ashley
4th Governor of Arkansas Territory
In office
March 9, 1835 – June 15, 1836
PresidentAndrew Jackson
Preceded byJohn Pope
Succeeded byJames Conway
2nd Secretary of the Arkansas Territory
In office
April 8, 1829 – February 23, 1835
PresidentAndrew Jackson
Preceded byRobert Crittenden
Succeeded byLewis Randolph
Personal details
Born
William Savin Fulton

(1795-06-02)June 2, 1795
Cecil County, Maryland, U.S.
DiedAugust 15, 1844(1844-08-15) (aged 49)
Little Rock, Arkansas, U.S.
Resting placeMount Holly Cemetery,
Little Rock, Arkansas, U.S.
34°44′15.3″N 92°16′42.5″W
Political partyDemocratic (Jacksonian)
SpouseMatilda Nowland
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/serviceMaryland Militia
Years of service1813–1814
RankCorporal
UnitCaptain Nicholson's Company of Artillery
Battles/warsWar of 1812

Early life

Fulton was born in Cecil County, Maryland, and graduated from Baltimore College in 1813. He had intended to study law, but with the outbreak of the War of 1812 he enlisted in a company of volunteers at Fort McHenry. Fulton was military secretary to General Andrew Jackson during the Seminole War in 1818. After the war, Fulton moved to Gallatin, Tennessee, where he was admitted to the bar in 1817. He owned slaves.[1]

Political career

In 1820, Fulton settled in Florence, Alabama. In 1821, he was elected to the Legislature. He was appointed Secretary of the Arkansas Territory by President Andrew Jackson in 1829.[2] Fulton served as Secretary until 1835, when he was appointed Governor of the Territory. When Arkansas was admitted as a state in 1836, he became one of its first Senators. In the United States Senate he became a member of the Democratic Party. Fulton remained a Senator until his death in 1844.[3]

Death

Fulton died at his home in Little Rock and was buried in the historic Mount Holly Cemetery in Little Rock.

Legacy

Fulton County, Arkansas is named for him.[4][5]

See also

References
  1. "Congress slaveowners", The Washington Post, January 19, 2022, retrieved July 11, 2022
  2. "William Savin Fulton (1795–1844)". The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture. Retrieved August 11, 2012.
  3. "Fulton, William Savin (1795-1844)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved August 9, 2012.
  4. "Profile for Fulton County, Arkansas, AR". ePodunk. Retrieved August 11, 2012.
  5. Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 133.
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