19 Facts About Cabell Breckinridge

Joseph Cabell Breckinridge was an American lawyer, soldier, slaveholder and politician in Kentucky.

Cabell Breckinridge served as Speaker of the Kentucky House from 1817 to 1819.

Cabell Breckinridge was the second child and first son of John and Mary Hopkins "Polly" Breckinridge.

Cabell Breckinridge was named for his maternal grandfather, Joseph Cabell, of Virginia's Cabell political family and known as "Cabell" throughout his life.

In 1801, when Cabell Breckinridge was 12 years old, Kentucky legislators elected his father to represent the new state in the US Senate.

The family moved across the Appalachian Mountains to Bedford County, Virginia near Lynchburg, where they lived with relatives in order to be closer to the elder Breckinridge during the congressional session at Washington, DC While there, Cabell Breckinridge attended the New London Academy.

In 1803, Cabell Breckinridge accompanied his father to the national capital, where he witnessed the debates over the Louisiana Purchase before returning to his studies.

Cabell Breckinridge did not travel eastward with his father in late 1804, but instead studied for about a year under Colonel Samuel Wilson before enrolling at the College of New Jersey.

Cabell Breckinridge arrived in Princeton, New Jersey, in late December 1805.

In mid-1806, Cabell Breckinridge learned that his father was sick back in Kentucky.

John Breckinridge died intestate, complicating the settlement of his estate and creating financial difficulties for Cabell, who had been receiving support from his father.

Cabell Breckinridge refused to apologize for his role in the protest.

Cabell Breckinridge considered enrolling at the College of William and Mary for the fall term in 1807, believing he could complete his studies in nine months, but ultimately decided against it.

Cabell Breckinridge may have managed to return to Cabell's Dale between July 1807 to July 1808, based on the absence of family correspondence.

Cabell Breckinridge taught religion, helped found the Second Presbyterian Church in Lexington and became one of its ruling elders.

In 1815, Cabell Breckinridge purchased Thorn Hill, an estate on north Limestone and 5th streets in Lexington.

In 1816, Cabell Breckinridge won election as a Democratic-Republican to represent Fayette Countyin the Kentucky House of Representatives, gaining the largest majority given to a candidate for office in that county to that point.

Cabell Breckinridge was re-elected in both 1817 and 1818 and was chosen Speaker of the House both years.

Cabell Breckinridge left behind $15,000 in debts, and with the nation still in the throes of the Panic of 1819, his assets were not enough to pay off the obligations.