Stephen Heard

Governor Stephen Heard
A portrait of Governor Heard
Governor of Georgia
In office May 24, 1780 – August 18, 1781
Preceded by	Humphrey Wells
Succeeded by	Myrick Davies
Member of the Georgia House of Representatives
In office 1779–1795
Personal details
Born	Stephen Heard (1740-11-01)November 1, 1740 Hanover County, Virginia
Died	November 15, 1815(1815-11-15) (aged 75) Heardmont, Elbert County, Georgia
Political party	American Whigs
Spouse(s)	Jane Germany (-1778), Elizabeth Darden Heard (August 25, 1785- November 11, 1815)
Residence	Heardmont
Military service
Allegiance	Great Britain  United States
Branch/service	Colonial Militia Continental Army
Years of service	1754–63 (British Militia) 1775–79 (Continental Army)
Rank	Captain (Great Britain) Lieutenant Colonel (United States)

Stephen Heard (November 1, 1740 – November 15, 1815) was an American planter, politician and military officer who briefly served as president of Georgia and was sometimes called "governor". Born in Virginia, Heard fought in the French and Indian War in the Virginia militia under George Washington, then with his father and brother moved to the Georgia colony based on a land grant for such service, and built two forts in Wilkes County called "Fort Heard". During the American Revolutionary War Heard served as a lieutenant colonel in the Georgia militia under Lieutenant John Dooly.^[1] He fought with Gen. Elijah Clarke at the Battle of Kettle Creek where he was captured but escaped. Voters elected Heard to the Georgia House of Representatives, where he served from 1779 to 1795 (the war officially ending in 1783). Heard's Fort was designated the seat of government for Georgia on February 3, 1780 and remained such until 1781, then developed into the town of Washington, Georgia (still the county seat). Fellow legislators elected Heard as the state's executive, where he served from May 24, 1780, until August 18, 1781. One source records Heard as resigning as president in 1782.^[2]