Henry Clay Crawford
Encyclopedia
Henry Clay Crawford served as Secretary of State of Florida
from 1902 to 1929, succeeding his father John Lovic Crawford, who served from 1881 to 1902, upon his death. He was a Democrat
. H. Clay Crawford held several jobs before becoming chief clerk
to his father. Appointed Secretary on January 28, 1902, after his father's death, he was nominated and reelected to that position until his own death.
He wrote his memoirs in 1914, mainly about the founding of Crawfordville, Florida
(the county seat
of Wakulla County
) and the post-Civil War
Reconstruction in the county.
According to the State Archives of Florida, "Crawford claimed that the town was named in 1866 in honor of his father who was then the state senator
for Wakulla. He recounts the names and activities of the earliest of Crawfordville's inhabitants and names those who have died and those who remain. His depiction of Reconstruction politics is told from the point of view of a southern Democrat
and accuses the Republicans
of malfeasance
in office. He recounts a riot taking place at the courthouse and the assassination of one of the Republican ringleaders. This is a short work and it seems that it may perhaps have been prepared for publication in a newspaper of the era."
Secretary of State of Florida
The Secretary of State of Florida is a constitutional officer of the state government of the U.S. state of Florida, established by the original 1838 state constitution....
from 1902 to 1929, succeeding his father John Lovic Crawford, who served from 1881 to 1902, upon his death. He was a Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
. H. Clay Crawford held several jobs before becoming chief clerk
Chief Clerk
The Chief Clerk, between 1789 and 1853, was the second-ranking official within the United States Department of State, known as the Department of Foreign Affairs before September 5, 1789. Section 2 of the Act of Congress of July 27, 1789 The Chief Clerk, between 1789 and 1853, was the second-ranking...
to his father. Appointed Secretary on January 28, 1902, after his father's death, he was nominated and reelected to that position until his own death.
He wrote his memoirs in 1914, mainly about the founding of Crawfordville, Florida
Crawfordville, Florida
Crawfordville is an unincorporated community and county seat of Wakulla County, Florida, United States of America.It was named after Dr. John L. Crawford who lived in the community and was the town's doctor....
(the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Wakulla County
Wakulla County, Florida
Wakulla County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 22,863. The U.S. Census Bureau 2005 estimate for the county was 28,212 people...
) and the post-Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
Reconstruction in the county.
According to the State Archives of Florida, "Crawford claimed that the town was named in 1866 in honor of his father who was then the state senator
Florida Senate
The Florida Senate is the upper house of the Florida Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Florida. The Senate is composed of 40 members representing an equal number of districts, with each district having an average population of 470,032....
for Wakulla. He recounts the names and activities of the earliest of Crawfordville's inhabitants and names those who have died and those who remain. His depiction of Reconstruction politics is told from the point of view of a southern Democrat
Southern Democrats
Southern Democrats are members of the U.S. Democratic Party who reside in the American South. In the 19th century, they were the definitive pro-slavery wing of the party, opposed to both the anti-slavery Republicans and the more liberal Northern Democrats.Eventually "Redemption" was finalized in...
and accuses the Republicans
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
of malfeasance
Malfeasance
The expressions misfeasance and nonfeasance, and occasionally malfeasance, are used in English law with reference to the discharge of public obligations existing by common law, custom or statute.-Definition and relevant rules of law:...
in office. He recounts a riot taking place at the courthouse and the assassination of one of the Republican ringleaders. This is a short work and it seems that it may perhaps have been prepared for publication in a newspaper of the era."
External links
- State Archives of Florida
- Crawford profile from Florida Memory