John Kershaw (American politician)

John Kershaw (September 12, 1765 – August 4, 1829) was a U.S. Representative from South Carolina.

Born in Camden, South Carolina, Kershaw attended Rushworth School and Oxford College, England where he studied law. He was the son of Joseph Kershaw, one of the founders of Camden, SC. He married Harriet DuBose in 1812. They were the parents of Major General Joseph Brevard Kershaw, a noted Confederate Army officer.

Early years

He was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in Camden, South Carolina. Kershaw engaged in planting and wheat milling and was a tobacco inspector in 1789. In 1790, he served as a member of the Constitutional Convention and served as Judge of the county court of Kershaw when it was first established in 1791.

Representative and Mayoral years

He served as member of the State House of Representatives from 1792 to 1794 and again from 1800 to 1801. He served as Mayor of Camden in 1798, 1801, 1811, and 1822. In 1806, Kershaw served as Justice of Quorum from Kershaw County. He also served as captain of the First South Carolina Light Dragoons.

US Congress

Kershaw was elected from South Carolina's 9th congressional district and served as a Democratic-Republican representative to the Thirteenth Congress (March 4, 1813 – March 3, 1815). Kershaw served as chairman of the Committee on Accounts (Thirteenth Congress).

He was an unsuccessful candidate for re-election in 1814 (to the Fourteenth Congress).

Death

He died in Camden, South Carolina, August 4, 1829 and was interred in the Kershaw family burial ground.

Sources

• United States Congress. "John Kershaw (id: K000149)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.