Samuel South | |
|---|---|
| 4th Kentucky State Treasurer | |
| In office 1818–1824 | |
| Preceded by | John Pendelton Thomas |
| Succeeded by | James Davidson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1770 (1770) |
| Died | 1833 (aged 62–63) |
| Relations | John South (Father) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | United States Army United States Volunteers |
| Years of service | 1782-1815 |
| Rank | Brigadier General |
| Battles/wars | |
Samuel South (c. 1770 – 1833) was born circa 1770 inMaryland.[1] He was the second son ofJohn South.[2] The South family moved toBoonesborough when Samuel was still young. At the time, Boonesborough was inFayette County in the District of Kentucky, a part of the state ofVirginia. John South was in command of themilitia at Boonesborough.
When South was twelve years old, he and another boy of about the same age were sent by the women of Fort Boonesborough to call back the men of the fort for its defense after seeingIndians in the area. South and his companion traveled through the woods for two days to find the men, who were engaged in the defense of Estill's Station. When the men returned to the fort on March 21, 1782, the Indians attacked in what became known as theBattle of Little Mountain or "Estill's Defeat". South's older brother, John Jr., was killed in the battle. Following this battle, South enlisted as aprivate in his father'scompany, serving until the end of theRevolutionary War.[2]
AfterKentucky became a state in 1792, South was commissioned acaptain in the state militia. In this capacity, he participated in several campaigns against the Indians. By the outbreak of theWar of 1812, he had risen tocolonel of the Kentucky Mounted Volunteers. He participated in both theBattle of the Thames and theBattle of New Orleans. For bravery at the Battle of New Orleans, he received abrevet to the rank ofbrigadier general. Years after the war,Richard Mentor Johnson called on South to verify his claim that he (Johnson) had killed theShawnee chiefTecumseh at the Battle of the Thames.[2]
Following the war, South was made ajustice of the peace inMadison County, Kentucky. He represented the county in theKentucky General Assembly for thirteen years, serving at various times inboth houses. On one occasion, he fell just one vote short of becomingSpeaker of the House, losing the position toHenry Clay. He was electedstate treasurer in 1818 and served until 1824. He died at the home of his father-in-law, John Glover, in Fayette County in 1833. He was buried in the Glover family cemetery.[2]
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| Preceded by | Treasurer of Kentucky 1818–1824 | Succeeded by |