Isaac Shelby served his community and country throughout his adult life. He served in Dunmore's War of 1774, the Revolutionary War, and the War of 1812 ultimately achieving the rank of Major General. He served in the state legislatures of Virginia and North Carolina and would become the 1st and 5th Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Early Life

Isaac Shelby was born in Maryland, near Hagerstown, on 11 December 1750.

He was the third child of parents who emigrated from Wales in 1735.

He was raised as a Presbyterian and worked on his father's farm and also worked as a surveyor.

At the age of 18 he became deputy sheriff of Frederick County in Maryland.

In 1770 the family moved to what is now eastern Tennessee near the present day town of Bristol.

In Dunmore's War of 1774 Shelby was commissioned as a lieutenant in the Virginia militia. He participated in the Battle of Point Pleasant on 10 October, 1774.

Revolutionary War

During the American Revolution Shelby was commissioned a captain for a company of minutemen.

In 1778 he was promoted to colonel by the Governor of North Carolina.

At the Battle of Kings Mountain, Shelby commanded a regiment of the Overmountain Men. Kings Mountain was the high point of Shelby's military career.

Life in Kentucky

In April 1783 Shelby returned to Kentucky and settled at Boonesborough.

He married Susannah Hart on 19 April 1783. The couple had eleven children.

In 1792 Shelby was a delegate to the final convention that drafted the first Kentucky Constitution.

Shelby took office as Kentucky's first governor on 4 June 1792, the same day Kentucky was admitted into the United States.

In 1812 Shelby was re-elected as Kentucky Governor, being the only governor to serve two non-consecutive terms.

War of 1812

During the War of 1812, Shelby received the rank of Major-General. He raised 3,500 volunteers that participated in the campaign that resulted with the American victory in the Battle of the Thames in Canada.

Later Years

Shelby was a founding member of the Kentucky Bible Society and served as Vice-President of the New American Bible Society.

Shelby died on 18 July 1826 and was buried on the grounds of his estate, Traveller's Rest near Danville, Kentucky.

Battles:

During his military career Isaac Shelby participated in the following battles:

Battle of Point Pleasant (10 October 1774)

Siege of Thickety Fort (31 July 1780)

Battle of Cedar Springs (18 August 1780)

Kings Mountain (7 October 1780)

Battle of the Thames (5 October 1813)