Governor of Louisiana Territory. He attended the University of Pennsylvania and joined the Continental Army, becoming a Brigadier General in 1777. While serving as Clothier General he resigned under charges of financial irregularities. After reentering the Army in 1791 he secretly accepted payments from the Spanish government to induce several states to form a new country allied with Spain, one of many plots and conspiracies he was involved in during his life. In 1805 Wilkinson was appointed the Louisiana Territory's first Governor. He became involved in Aaron Burr's plot, but betrayed Burr to authorities when it was discovered. At Burr's treason trial the lies Wilkinson told to minimize his own involvement led directly to Burr's acquittal and caused Burr supporter Andrew Jackson to physically attack Wilkinson and challenge him to a duel. A military court of inquiry cleared Wilkinson, but Jefferson removed him as Governor and replaced him with Meriwether Lewis. Wilkinson left the Army after the War of 1812 and settled in Mississippi. When he died he was negotiating with the Mexican government for title to Texas land he planned to settle on or sell. When he died he was negotiating with the Mexican government for title to Texas land he planned to settle on or sell. Wilkinson was originally buried at Baptist Cemetery in Mexico City. The site was closed in 1860, and all the remains were reburied in an unmarked vault at Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel.
Governor of Louisiana Territory. He attended the University of Pennsylvania and joined the Continental Army, becoming a Brigadier General in 1777. While serving as Clothier General he resigned under charges of financial irregularities. After reentering the Army in 1791 he secretly accepted payments from the Spanish government to induce several states to form a new country allied with Spain, one of many plots and conspiracies he was involved in during his life. In 1805 Wilkinson was appointed the Louisiana Territory's first Governor. He became involved in Aaron Burr's plot, but betrayed Burr to authorities when it was discovered. At Burr's treason trial the lies Wilkinson told to minimize his own involvement led directly to Burr's acquittal and caused Burr supporter Andrew Jackson to physically attack Wilkinson and challenge him to a duel. A military court of inquiry cleared Wilkinson, but Jefferson removed him as Governor and replaced him with Meriwether Lewis. Wilkinson left the Army after the War of 1812 and settled in Mississippi. When he died he was negotiating with the Mexican government for title to Texas land he planned to settle on or sell. When he died he was negotiating with the Mexican government for title to Texas land he planned to settle on or sell. Wilkinson was originally buried at Baptist Cemetery in Mexico City. The site was closed in 1860, and all the remains were reburied in an unmarked vault at Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel.
Bio by: Bill McKern
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