Jared Irwin
Encyclopedia
Jared Irwin served twice as elected Governor of Georgia (1796-1798) and (1806-1809). He first was elected to office as a reformer based on public outrage about the Yazoo land scandal
. He signed a bill that nullified the Yazoo Act, which had authorized the land sales. Challenges to land claims purchased under the former act led to the United States Supreme Court's hearing the case Fletcher v. Peck
(1810). In a landmark decision, the Court upheld the land contract
s, and ruled that the state law was unconstitutional in trying to nullify valid contracts.
in the Piedmont
region. His family moved to Burke County, Georgia
when he was young.
, in which he entered the army as a private. During the war, he demonstrated leadership and was promoted to the rank of colonel.
He was a member of the state convention that adopted the Constitution
of 1789.
Soon after the end of the war, Georgia and other states rapidly tried to develop their frontier lands. It was an environment ripe for scandal and speculation, which took place in Georgia and other states. Because of public outrage about millions of acres of state lands' being sold for low prices to insider speculators, Irwin was elected Governor in 1795 to clean up the Yazoo land scandal. On February 13, 1796, less than two months after taking office, Irwin signed the bill nullifying the Yazoo Act. To make a public statement, he burned a copy of the Yazoo Act on the grounds of the capital. The legislature had just moved the capital to Louisville
in response to the scandal.
During his second term, Irwin administered the state's second land lottery, as land sales and development were still a priority for the state.
He died at the age of 68. A resident of Washington County
, Irwin was buried near Ohoopee Baptist Church.
Yazoo land scandal
The Yazoo land scandal, Yazoo fraud, Yazoo land fraud, or Yazoo land controversy was a massive fraud perpetrated from 1794 to 1803 by several Georgia governors and the state legislature. They sold large tracts of land in what is now the state of Mississippi to political insiders at very low prices...
. He signed a bill that nullified the Yazoo Act, which had authorized the land sales. Challenges to land claims purchased under the former act led to the United States Supreme Court's hearing the case Fletcher v. Peck
Fletcher v. Peck
Fletcher v. Peck, , was a landmark United States Supreme Court decision. The first case in which the Supreme Court ruled a state law unconstitutional, the decision also helped create a growing precedent for the sanctity of legal contracts, and hinted that Native Americans did not hold title to...
(1810). In a landmark decision, the Court upheld the land contract
Land contract
A 'land contract' is a contract between a seller and buyer of real property in which the seller provides financing to buy the property for an agreed-upon purchase price and the buyer repays the loan in installments...
s, and ruled that the state law was unconstitutional in trying to nullify valid contracts.
Early life and education
Jared Irwin was born in Mecklenburg County, North CarolinaMecklenburg County, North Carolina
-Air:The county's primary commercial aviation airport is Charlotte Douglas International Airport in Charlotte.- Intercity rail :With twenty-five freight trains a day, Mecklenburg is a freight railroad transportation center, largely due to its place on the NS main line between Washington and Atlanta...
in the Piedmont
Piedmont (United States)
The Piedmont is a plateau region located in the eastern United States between the Atlantic Coastal Plain and the main Appalachian Mountains, stretching from New Jersey in the north to central Alabama in the south. The Piedmont province is a physiographic province of the larger Appalachian division...
region. His family moved to Burke County, Georgia
Burke County, Georgia
Burke County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 22,243. The 2007 Census Estimate showed a population of 22,754...
when he was young.
Career
Irwin fought in the American RevolutionAmerican Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
, in which he entered the army as a private. During the war, he demonstrated leadership and was promoted to the rank of colonel.
He was a member of the state convention that adopted the Constitution
United States Constitution
The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the United States of America. It is the framework for the organization of the United States government and for the relationship of the federal government with the states, citizens, and all people within the United States.The first three...
of 1789.
Soon after the end of the war, Georgia and other states rapidly tried to develop their frontier lands. It was an environment ripe for scandal and speculation, which took place in Georgia and other states. Because of public outrage about millions of acres of state lands' being sold for low prices to insider speculators, Irwin was elected Governor in 1795 to clean up the Yazoo land scandal. On February 13, 1796, less than two months after taking office, Irwin signed the bill nullifying the Yazoo Act. To make a public statement, he burned a copy of the Yazoo Act on the grounds of the capital. The legislature had just moved the capital to Louisville
Louisville, Georgia
Louisville is a city in Jefferson County, Georgia, United States. It is the former capital of Georgia and is the county seat of Jefferson County. It is located southwest of Augusta on the Ogeechee River, and its population was 2,712 at the 2000 census. The local pronunciation is the Americanized...
in response to the scandal.
During his second term, Irwin administered the state's second land lottery, as land sales and development were still a priority for the state.
He died at the age of 68. A resident of Washington County
Washington County, Georgia
Washington County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was established on February 25, 1784. As of 2000, the population was 21,176. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 20,937. The county seat is Sandersville....
, Irwin was buried near Ohoopee Baptist Church.
Legacy
- The towns of IrwinvilleIrwinville, GeorgiaIrwinville is an unincorporated community in Irwin County, Georgia, United States. It is best known as the site of Jefferson Davis's capture at the end of the Civil War. On May 9, 1865, Jefferson Davis and a small group of officials camped in this pine forest, not knowing that Union cavalry...
and IrwintonIrwinton, GeorgiaIrwinton is a city in Wilkinson County, Georgia, United States. The population was 583 at the 2010 census. The city is the county seat of Wilkinson County.-Geography:Irwinton is located at ....
, and the county of IrwinIrwin County, GeorgiaIrwin County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on December 15, 1818. As of 2000, the population was 9,931. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 9,934...
were named for him.