John Forsyth (abt. 1780 - 1841)

Born about 22 Oct 1780 in Fredericksburg, Virginia, USA

Ancestors

Husband of Clara (Meigs) Forsyth — married 12 May 1802 in Athens, GA

Descendants

Died 21 Oct 1841 at about age 60 in Washington, District of Columbia, USA

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John Forsyth is Notable.

Preceded by 12th Secretary Louis McLane Preceded by 32nd Governor George Troup Preceded by George Troup John M. Berrien

John Forsyth 13th United States Secretary of State 1834—1841 33rd Governor of Georgia 1827—1829 US Senator (Class 2) from Georgia[1] 1818—1819 US Senator (Class 3) from Georgia[2] 1829—1834

Succeeded by 14th Secretary Daniel Webster Succeeded by 34th Governor George Rockingham Gilmer Succeeded by Freeman Walker Alfred Cuthbert

Biography

John was born in 1780 in Fredericksburg, VA, the son of Robert and Fanny (Johnson) Houston Forsyth. John Forsyth was educated at Princeton, graduating in 1799. He studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1802. That same year he married Clarissa Meigs, eldest daughter of Josiah Meigs, president of the University of Georgia. John and Clarissa established a home near Augusta, GA. He had a distinguished political career, serving as representative, U.S. senator, governor of Georgia, minister to Spain, and U.S. secretary of state.

Death

John Forsyth passed away in 1841 in Washington, D.C. ^[3][4] His probate in Muscogee Co, GA states that he died intestate.^[5] John Forsyth had estate in Muscogee and Twiggs Co, GA^[6]

Legacy

• Forsyth County, Georgia is named in his honor.

Links

FamilySearch PID: MPHC-NJQ

Sources

1. ↑ Resigned to become U.S. Minister to Spain, vacant February 17, 1819 – November 6, 1819 when successor elected.
2. ↑ Resigned to become U.S. Secretary of State, vacant June 27, 1834 – January 12, 1835 when successor elected.
3. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/clip/101945119/1841-john-forsyth-obit/
   • Obit of John Forsyth, The Madisonian, Washington, District of Columbia, 23 Oct 1841, Sat, Page 3
4. ↑ Dictionary of American Biography, Volume III Cushman - Fraser
5. ↑ Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990: "Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990"
   Catalog: Bonds and letters of administration, guardianship, testamentary, dismission, 1838-1903 Bonds & letters of administration 1838-1849 v. A
   Image path: Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990 > Muscogee > Administration bonds and letters 1838-1849 vol A > image 105 of 283; Citing Houston County Probate Court Judge, Georgia.
   FamilySearch Image: 3QS7-893B-9CN1 (accessed 15 May 2022)
   • 1842 Letters of Administration, Muscogee Co, GA
6. ↑ Muscogee County, inventories & appraisments, bill of sales, annual returns & vouchers, 1839-1903: "Muscogee County, inventories & appraisments, bill of sales, annual returns & vouchers, 1839-1903"
   Catalog: Muscogee County, inventories & appraisments, bill of sales, annual returns & vouchers, 1839-1903 Book A, 1839-1843.
   Film number: 008654666 > image 314 of 349
   FamilySearch Image: 3QHV-Z3C7-39JC-T (accessed 15 May 2022)
   • 1843 estate inventory p.560-564

• Augusta Chronicle, 22 May, 1802.
• The Daily Georgian, Savannah, October 27, 1841
• "Life of Josiah Meigs" by his great-grandson, Wm. M. Meigs, Philadelphia, 1887.

Contributors

Tami Osmer Jim Brawner IV