
homas Posey, the last Governor
of Indiana Territory was born near Alexandria, Virginia, on the 9th day of
July 1750. His educational training was limited, being confined to the branches
taught in the different schools of those days. In 1774, he took part in the
expedition originated by Gov. Dunmore, of Virginia, against the Indians,
and was present at the battle of Mount Pleasant. At the close of the war
Mr. Posey went back to his home in Virginia, but did not long pursue his
peaceful vocations, being called upon, the following year, to take part of
the colonies in their struggle for liberty against the mother country. He
participated in the battle of Bemis Heights, as captain in Col. Morgan's
command; in 1779 was colonel of the Eleventh Virginia Regiment, and afterward
commanded a battery under Gen. Wayne. He bore a gallant part in the storming
of Stony Point, was at the capitulation of Cornwallis at Yorktown and continued
in the service some time after peace was declared. In 1793, he was appointed
brigadier general in the army of the Northwest, and, being pleased with the
appearance of the country, settled in Kentucky not long after. In that state,
he was a member of the state senate, being president of the body from November
4, 1805, to November 3, 1806, performing the duties of lieutenant governor
at the same time. He removed to Louisiana in 1812, and afterward represented
the state in the senate of the United States. While a resident of Louisiana,
he was appointed governor of Indiana Territory, by President Madison, and
in May 1813, he moved to Vincennes, and entered upon the discharge of his
official duties. When his term as governor expired by reason of the admission
of Indiana into the Union, Col. Posey was appointed Indian agent for Illinois
Territory, with headquarters at Shawneetown, where his death occurred March
19, 1818.
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