Charles Bent

Charles Bent
Governor of New Mexico
In office September 22, 1846 – January 19, 1847
Preceded by	Juan Bautista Vigil y Alarid
Succeeded by	Donaciano Vigil
Personal details
Born	(1799-11-11)November 11, 1799 Charleston, Virginia, U.S. (now West Virginia)
Died	January 19, 1847(1847-01-19) (aged 47) Taos, New Mexico Territory, U.S.
Manner of death	Assassination
Resting place	Santa Fe National Cemetery
Spouse	Maria Ignacia Jaramillo
Children	Alfred, Estifina, Maria Teresina, George (died as infant), Virginia (died as infant)
Relatives	Silas Bent (father) Martha Kerr Bent (mother) Juliannah (sister) John (brother) Lucy (sister) Dorcas (sister) Mary (sister) George (brother) Robert (brother) Edward (brother) Silas Bent III (brother) William Bent (brother) George Bent (nephew) Owl Woman (sister-in-law) Lilburn Boggs (brother-in-law) Silas Bent IV (nephew) Henry C. Boggs (nephew) Charles Marion Russell (nephew) James Kerr (uncle)
Education	United States Military Academy

Charles Bent (November 11, 1799 – January 19, 1847) was an American businessman and politician who served as the first civilian United States governor of the New Mexico Territory, newly invaded and occupied by the United States during the Mexican-American War by the Military Governor, Stephen Watts Kearny, in September 1846.

Bent had been working as a fur trader in the region since 1828, with his younger brother, William, and later partner Ceran St. Vrain. Though his office was in Santa Fe, Bent maintained his residence and a trading post in Taos, New Mexico Territory, in present-day New Mexico. On January 19, 1847, Bent was scalped and killed by Pueblo warriors, during the Taos Revolt.