Alfred Cumming (1802 - 1873)

Born 4 Sep 1802 in Augusta, Richmond, Georgia, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Elizabeth Wells (Randall) Cumming — married 15 Sep 1836 in Concord, Middlesex County, Massachusetts

Died 9 Oct 1873 at age 71 in Augusta, Richmond, Georgia, United States

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Preceded by 1st Territorial Governor Brigham Young

Alfred Cumming 2nd Governor of Utah Territory 1858—1861

Succeeded by 3rd Territorial Governor John W. Dawson

Biography

Alfred Cumming has Scottish Ancestors.

Alfred Cumming served with the United States Army during the Mexican-American War
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"During the Mexican-American War he was a sutler with Winfield Scott's army. He then served as superintendent of Indian affairs for the central division from 1853 to 1856. In 1855 he was named the senior of three commissioners assigned to make a treaty with the Blackfeet Tribe at the Judith River and the first treaty with that tribe was signed on October 17." NOTE: Before his appointment in May 1857 by President James Buchanan to succeed Brigham Young as Governor of the Utah Territory.

Born in Sand Hills, Georgia, in 1802, Cumming served in federal, military, and civic posts, including mayor of Augusta, Georgia, before his appointment as governor in July 1857 by James Buchanan. Accompanied by his wife, Elizabeth W. Randall, he was escorted to Utah by a large force under Col. Albert Sidney Johnston. En route, in January 1858, he was reappointed to a full term as governor. On orders of Brigham Young, Salt Lake City was almost abandoned when he arrived. Cumming was determined to avoid violence, and the so-called Utah War was quickly settled. Cumming's concerns as governor included the unusual powers of the local probate courts; Indians; construction of roads and bridges; the sale of public lands; mail service; lawlessness, including cattle rustling and murder; and poor penal conditions. He left Utah in May 1861, knowing that Republican Abraham Lincoln would not reappoint him. He died in Augusta, Georgia, in 1873. ^[1]

Sources

1. ↑ Utah History to Go Alfred Cumming

Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1626-2001; Alfred Cummings; Spouse's Name Elizabeth Wells Randall; Marriage Date 15 September 1836; Marriage Place Concord, Middlesex, Massachusetts; (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QPCH-184Q

"United States Census, 1860", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MH24-9X8 : 11 November 2020), Alfred Cumming, 1860.

"United States Census, 1870", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MC3P-RBF : 19 March 2020), Alfred Cumming, 1870.

Find A Grave Memorial# 19460375

Alfred Cumming on Wikipedia

Contributors

This person was created through the import of Rodney Timbrook Ancestors and Relatives_2010-09-10.ged on 10 September 2010.