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William McWillie (November 17, 1795 – March 3, 1869) was the twenty-second governor of Mississippi from 1857 to 1859. He was a Democrat. McWillie was the last Governor of Mississippi prior to the outbreak of the American Civil War.[1]
Governor William McWillie
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Portrait of Governor William McWillie
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| 22nd Governor of Mississippi | |
| In office November 16, 1857 – November 21, 1859 | |
| Preceded by | John J. McRae |
| Succeeded by | John J. Pettus |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Mississippi's 3rd district | |
| In office December 3, 1849 – March 3, 1851 | |
| Preceded by | Patrick W. Tompkins |
| Succeeded by | John D. Freeman |
| South Carolina State Senate South Carolina House of Representatives | |
| In office 1854–1892 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1795-11-17)November 17, 1795 Camden, South Carolina, United States |
| Died | March 3, 1869(1869-03-03) (aged 73) Madison County, Mississippi, United States |
| Resting place | Kirkwood Cemetery, Camden, Mississippi |
| Spouse(s) | Nancy Cunningham Catherine Anderson |
| Children | 23 |
| Alma mater | University of South Carolina |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States of America (prior to 1861) Confederate States of America 1861–1865 |
| Branch/service |  United States Army (War of 1812) |
| Battles/wars | War of 1812 |
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He was born near Liberty Hill, Kershaw County, South Carolina, on November 17, 1795. His father Colonel Adam McWillie was in command of the 2nd Regiment SC militia during the War of 1812, and William served as an adjutant in his father's regiment in the war.[2]
McWillie graduated from South Carolina College (now the University of South Carolina) in 1817. He then began the study of law and was admitted to the bar in 1818.[3]
He was married to Nancy Cunningham (1799-1827) and Catherine Anderson (1812–1873), daughter of Dr. Edward H. Anderson of Camden, South Carolina, and granddaughter of a noted officer of the Maryland Line.[4]
Between 1836 and 1840, he served in both the South Carolina House of Representatives and the South Carolina Senate. In 1845 he moved to Mississippi. He was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1849, serving from December 3, 1849 to March 3, 1851. In 1858 he became Governor of Mississippi, serving until 1860. McWillie died in Kirkwood, Madison County, Mississippi, on March 3, 1869. He is buried in Kirkwood Cemetery, near Camden, Mississippi, the town he founded and named for his hometown of Camden, South Carolina.[5][6]
His son Adam McWillie (1821 to 1861) was killed in the Civil War during the First Battle of Bull Run.[7]
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| Party political offices | ||
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| Preceded by | Democratic nominee for Governor of Mississippi 1857 |
Succeeded by |
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
| Preceded by | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Mississippi's 4th congressional district 1849–1851 |
Succeeded by |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by | Governor of Mississippi 1857-1859 |
Succeeded by |