Gabriel Slaughter

Gabriel Slaughter
7th Governor of Kentucky
In office October 14, 1816 – August 29, 1820
Lieutenant	Vacant
Preceded by	George Madison
Succeeded by	John Adair
4th and 6th Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky
In office September 5, 1816 – October 14, 1816
Governor	George Madison
Preceded by	Richard Hickman
Succeeded by	William T. Barry
In office December 1808 – August 24, 1812
Governor	Charles Scott
Preceded by	Thomas Posey
Succeeded by	Richard Hickman
Member of the Kentucky Senate
In office 1801-1808
Member of the Kentucky House of Representatives
In office 1797-1801
Personal details
Born	(1767-12-12)December 12, 1767 Culpeper County, Colony of Virginia, British America
Died	September 19, 1830(1830-09-19) (aged 62) Mercer County, Kentucky, U.S.
Political party	Democratic-Republican
Spouse(s)	Sarah Slaughter Sara Hord Elizabeth Rodes
Profession	Soldier, Farmer
Military service
Branch/service	Kentucky militia
Rank	Colonel
Battles/wars	War of 1812

Gabriel Slaughter (December 12, 1767 – September 19, 1830) was the seventh Governor of Kentucky and was the first person to ascend to that office upon the death of the sitting governor. His family moved to Kentucky from Virginia when he was very young. He became a member of the Kentucky militia, serving throughout his political career. He received a citation from the state legislature in recognition of his service at the Battle of New Orleans.

After spending a decade in the state legislature, Slaughter was elected the fourth Lieutenant Governor, serving under Charles Scott. With the War of 1812 looming at the end of his tenure, Slaughter ran for governor against Isaac Shelby, the state's first governor and a noted military leader. Shelby beat Slaughter soundly. Four years later, Slaughter was again elected as lieutenant governor, serving under George Madison.

Madison died a short time into his term, whereupon Slaughter became acting governor. He sought to be sworn in as governor, but public sentiment turned against him when he replaced Shelby's son-in-law with John Pope as Secretary of State. Pope was an unpopular figure in Kentucky and, after his appointment, some in the General Assembly began to call for a special election to replace Slaughter. The measure did not pass, but Slaughter was never able to shed the title of "acting governor." Following his term as governor, Slaughter became a Baptist lay minister and served on the first board of trustees of Georgetown College. He died September 19, 1830, and was buried in his family's cemetery.