James Kenan
James Kenan (1740–1810) was an American military officer and politician who served as a brigadier general of the Wilmington District Brigade during the American Revolutionary War and commander of the North Carolina militia after the war.[1] He was active in North Carolina politics and served ten terms as a state senator.[2]
James Kenan | |
|---|---|
 General James Kenan | |
| Born | September 23, 1740 The Lilacs, Turkey, Sampson County, North Carolina |
| Died | May 23, 1810 (aged 69) Turkey, Sampson County, North Carolina |
| Place of burial | Graham Cemetery, Liberty Hall Restoration, Kenansville, Duplin County, North Carolina |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/ | North Carolina militia |
| Rank | Brigadier General |
| Commands held | Colonel Duplin County Regiment of North Carolina militia (1775-1783); Brigadier General (Pro Tempore) Wilmington District Brigade (1781) |
| Battles/wars | Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge, Battle of Briar Creek, Battle of Stono Ferry, Heron's Bridge, Cohera Swamp, Myhand's Bridge #2, Portevent's Mill |
| Spouse(s) | Sarah Love |
| Children | eight children, including Thomas S. Kenan |
Pre and during war
James Kenan was born on September 23, 1740 at the family plantation, The Lilacs, in Turkey, Sampson County, North Carolina. His parents were Thomas Kenan, born in Ireland, and Elizabeth (Johnston) Kenan.[3][4][5][6]
James Kenan was elected Sheriff of Duplin County, North Carolina at age 22.[7] While serving as Stamp Master of North Carolina he led a company of volunteers to Wilmington to oppose the Stamp Act. He also served as Chairman of the Duplin and Wilmington Committee of Safety.
From 1775 to 1783, he served as Colonel over the Duplin County Regiment of the North Carolina militia. In 1781, he was appointed brigadier general (pro tempore) of the Wilmington District Brigade of the North Carolina militia.[2]
Post war
Kenan served as a member of the state constitutional convention in 1788 and 1789. Kenan also served as chairman on Ratification of the United States Constitution in the Fayetteville Convention and one of the first trustees of the University of North Carolina. By the time he died he had served ten terms (1777–1783) as a senator in the North Carolina Senate. He was also appointed as a brigadier general over the North Carolina militia after the Revolutionary War. He belonged to the Masonic Fraternity and was worshipful master of St. John's Lodge No.13 of Duplin County.[8][2]
Family
Kenan married Sarah Love "Sallie" March 13, 1770 and produced eight children, including his son Thomas S. Kenan. Thomas Kenan served in the North Carolina legislature and three terms as North Carolina representative in the U.S. Congress.[9] Five members of his family would later become sheriff of Duplin County.[3]
Death and honors
James Kenan died on May 23, 1810 in Turkey, Sampson County, North Carolina. He was originally buried at his plantation in Turkey, North Carolina. However, he was later reinterred at Liberty Hall in Kenansville, North Carolina.
Historical marker F-26 was erected in his honor on North Carolina highway 24 about three miles west of Warsaw. In November 2007, he was inducted into the Duplin County Hall of Fame.[10][3]
In 1818 the new county seat of Duplin was named "Kenansville" in his honor. James Kenan High School located in Warsaw, North Carolina was named after him in 1958.[7][3]
References
- Liberty Hall Archives
- Lewis, J.D. "Brigadier General James Kenan". The American Revolution in North Carolina. Retrieved July 21, 2019.
- "James Kenan, North Carolina Highway Marker F-25". Retrieved July 21, 2019.
- (Raleigh) News and Observer, February 4, 1950
- Kenan, Thomas III. Powell, William S. (ed.). Dictionary of North Carolina Biography. III. p. 345.
- A. T. Outlaw, “General Kenan, Duplin’s Revolutionary Leader” (copy in marker files, Research Branch, North Carolina Office of Archives and History)
- Outlaw, Albert Timothy (September 2, 1949). "The Kenans of Duplin County". Duplin Times, Kenansville, North Carolina., bicententennial edition, sect III, p 1.
- Duplin County Court Minutes, NC Archives
- Duplin Co marriage bonds NC Archives
- Register, Alvaretta Kenan (1967). The Kenan family and some allied families of the compiler and publisher. Statesboro, Ga., J. S. Kenan II. Retrieved 30 April 2014.