James Whitfield (Mississippi)

James Whitfield
18th Governor of Mississippi
In office November 24, 1851 – January 10, 1852
Preceded by	John I. Guion
Succeeded by	Henry S. Foote
Personal details
Born	(1791-12-15)December 15, 1791 Elbert County, Georgia, U.S.
Died
Political party	Democratic Party (United States)
Spouse(s)	Louisa Dyer
Residence	Snowdoun Mansion

James Whitfield (December 15, 1791 – June 25, 1875) was an American politician. He served as the Governor of Mississippi from November 24, 1851 to January 10, 1852. He also served in both house of the Mississippi Legislature.

Background

He served until United States Senator Henry S. Foote, who had been elected governor, could complete his service in the Senate and resign from that body. Whitfield was a Democrat. He donated 185 acres (0.75 km²) of land in the northern part of the state to facilitate the creation of what is simultaneously the state's largest psychiatric facility and hospital, now known as Mississippi State Hospital. His Columbus, Mississippi plantation was sold in 1852 to Thomas Carleton Billups and is known today as The Billups Whitfield Place.

In the same year he built a house in Columbus which is known as Snowdoun and is featured annually on the local tour of homes. It was here that Jefferson Davis stayed while campaigning across the state for the U.S. Senate. He gave a speech from the balcony of this house. The home was later visited by author Julian Street as he was traveling across the Southern U.S. compiling notes for his book American Adventures in 1915.

External links

• James Whitfield at National Governors Association
• James Whitfield: Eighteenth Governor of Mississippi: November 1851-January 1852. Mississippi History

Political offices
Preceded by John I. Guion	Governor of Mississippi 1851-1852	Succeeded by Henry S. Foote