McAfee, Robert B. (Robert Breckinridge), 1784-1849

McAfee was born on Salt River in Mercer County, Kentucky. McAfee's father, also named Robert, was an early settler in that area. The younger McAfee studied at Transylvania Seminary in the 1790s and read law under John Breckinridge. He began his legal practice in his native county and represented the area in the state legislature. McAfee entered the army in the War of 1812 and rose to the rank of captain. In 1807 he married Mary Cardwell. In the 1820s, McAfee entered the state senate before serving as lieutenant governor under Governor Joseph Desha. After a brief return to the legislature in the 1830s, McAfee served as charge d'affaires to the republic of Colombia from 1833 to 1837. In 1842 he became president of the Board of Visitors to the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. McAfee retired to his Mercer County farm in 1844 and died five years later.

From the description of Robert Breckinridge McAfee papers, 1824-1841. (Kentucky Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 42369498

The McAfees were Kentucky pioneers and built McAfee Station (1779) in what is now Mercer County.

From the description of The life and times of Robert B. McAfee and his family connections : manuscript / written by himself, commenced April 23, 1845. (University of Chicago Library). WorldCat record id: 79053193

From the description of The life and times of Robert B. McAfee and his family connections : manuscript copy / written by himself, commenced April 23, 1845. (University of Chicago Library). WorldCat record id: 52249414

State legislator, War of 1812 veteran, and statesman.

From the description of Journal, 1803-1807. (Filson Historical Society, The). WorldCat record id: 49252215

From the description of Robert Breckinridge McAfee : papers, 1813-1859. (Filson Historical Society, The). WorldCat record id: 49252237

Politician, attorney.

McAfee was a resident of Mercer County, Ky., and had his law practice there. He was an Army officer in the War of 1812, and later served several times each in both houses of the Kentucky General Assembly. He was the lieutenant governor of Kentucky from 1824 to 1828 under Joseph Desha. He also served as U.S. Charge d' Affairs in Bogota, Colombia from 1833 to 1837.

From the description of Robert B. McAfee papers, 1807-1922, 1807-1845 (bulk dates) (University of Kentucky Libraries). WorldCat record id: 13717983