Jesse Bledsoe

Democratic Republican Senator of Kentucky

Congresses Served

Senate Terms

January 1, 1776 (60 years old)

Birthday

January 1, 1836

Death

Migrated with his family to Kentucky at a young age as part of a Baptist congregation that included slaves.
Attended Transylvania Seminary and Transylvania University, where he studied law and was admitted to the bar around 1800.
Served as the Secretary of State of Kentucky from 1808 to 1812.
Was a member of the Kentucky House of Representatives in 1812.
Elected to the United States Senate as a Democratic Republican, serving from March 4, 1813, until his resignation on December 24, 1814.
Became a member of the Kentucky State Senate from 1817 to 1820 and served as a member of the Electoral College in 1820, voting for James Monroe.
Served as a judge on the Lexington circuit in 1822 and was a professor of law at Transylvania University.
Became a minister in the Disciples Church later in his career.
Moved to Mississippi in 1833 and then to Texas in 1835, where he died near Nacogdoches in 1836 under circumstances described as a significant fall from grace.
Known as “Hot headed” Jesse Bledsoe and was a prominent jurist.
Was a maternal uncle to notable individuals including Robert Emmett Bledsoe Baylor, Walker Keith Baylor, Thomas Chilton, and William Parish Chilton, influencing their careers in law, politics, and the judiciary.