Henry Wharton Conway (March 18, 1793 – November 9, 1827) was a United States naval officer during the

War of 1812 The War of 1812 (18 June 1812 – 17 February 1815) was fought by the United States of America and its indigenous allies against the United Kingdom and its allies in British North America, with limited participation by Spain in Florida. It bega ...

and a politician in

Arkansas Territory The Arkansas Territory was a territory of the United States that existed from July 4, 1819, to June 15, 1836, when the final extent of Arkansas Territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Arkansas. Arkansas Post was the first territo ...

, who was elected as a territorial delegate (1823–1827) to the

United States House of Representatives The United States House of Representatives, often referred to as the House of Representatives, the U.S. House, or simply the House, is the Lower house, lower chamber of the United States Congress, with the United States Senate, Senate being ...

for three consecutive congresses. He died in 1827 as a result of wounds from a duel with

Robert Crittenden Robert Crittenden (January 1, 1797 – December 18, 1834) was an American lawyer who served as the first secretary of the Arkansas Territory from 1819 to 1829. He also served as the acting governor of Arkansas Territory from July to December 18 ...

, a former friend and political ally.

Biography

Conway was born into a planter family on March 18, 1793, as the son of Thomas and Ann ( Rector) Conway, in

Greene County, Tennessee Greene County is a county located on the eastern border of the U.S. state of Tennessee. As of the 2020 census, the population was 70,152. Its county seat is Greeneville. Greene County comprises the Greeneville, TN Micropolitan Statistical Are ...

. He was educated by private tutors. He had two younger brothers who followed him into politics in the West.

Career

During the War of 1812, Conway was commissioned as an

Ensign An ensign is the national flag flown on a vessel to indicate nationality. The ensign is the largest flag, generally flown at the stern (rear) of the ship while in port. The naval ensign (also known as war ensign), used on warships, may be diffe ...

in the

United States Navy The United States Navy (USN) is the maritime service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. It is the largest and most powerful navy in the world, with the estimated tonnage ...

, and was promoted to

Lieutenant A lieutenant ( , ; abbreviated Lt., Lt, LT, Lieut and similar) is a commissioned officer rank in the armed forces of many nations. The meaning of lieutenant differs in different militaries (see comparative military ranks), but it is often sub ...

in 1813. In 1817, Conway became a clerk in the

U.S. Treasury The Department of the Treasury (USDT) is the national treasury and finance department of the federal government of the United States, where it serves as an executive department. The department oversees the Bureau of Engraving and Printing and t ...

. Having saved money for his journey, the following year he joined the migration West to the

Missouri Territory The Territory of Missouri was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from June 4, 1812, until August 10, 1821. In 1819, the Territory of Arkansas was created from a portion of its southern area. In 1821, a southeas ...

. In 1820, he moved to the Arkansas Territory. There he became active in territorial politics, forming a friendship and an alliance with Robert Crittenden. His younger brothers James S. and Elias N. Conway also later became politicians in Arkansas after it became a state in 1836; they served as first and fifth governors of the state, respectively. In Arkansas Territory, he was appointed as receiver of public moneys, serving from 1820 through 1821. Conway was elected in 1822 as a territorial delegate to the Eighteenth Congress and was re-elected to the Nineteenth, and Twentieth Congresses, serving in total from March 4, 1823 until his death. Following political differences in 1825, Conway and Crittenden grew apart, publicizing their feud in newspapers. Their conflict resulted in a duel held on October 29, 1827, near

Napoleon Napoleon Bonaparte ; it, Napoleone Bonaparte, ; co, Napulione Buonaparte. (born Napoleone Buonaparte; 15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821), later known by his regnal name Napoleon I, was a French military commander and political leader who ...

. Conway was mortally wounded by Crittenden and died several days later on November 9, 1827.

Death and legacy

Conway died on November 9, 1827, and is interred at Scull Cemetery,

Arkansas Post, Arkansas Arkansas Post is an unincorporated community located along the north side of the Arkansas River in Arkansas County, Arkansas. It is home to the Arkansas Post National Memorial. History Present-day Arkansas Post was founded on December 27, 183 ...

Conway County, Arkansas Conway County is a county located in the U.S. state of Arkansas. Created as Arkansas's 11th county on October 20, 1825, Conway County has four incorporated municipalities, including Morrilton, the county seat and most populous city. The county ...

, is named after him.

References

External links

*
Henry Wharton Conway, Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture entry

Conway-Crittenden Duel, Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture entry
{{DEFAULTSORT:Conway, Henry Wharton 1793 births 1827 deaths 19th-century American politicians American politicians killed in duels Arkansas postmasters Arkansas Democratic-Republicans Conway-Johnson family Deaths by firearm in Arkansas Delegates to the United States House of Representatives from Arkansas Territory Methodists from Arkansas People from Greeneville, Tennessee United States Navy officers United States Navy personnel of the War of 1812

Biography

Career

Death and legacy

See also

References

External links