Innes, Harry, 1752-1816

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Harry Innes was involved, at the time this letter was written, in what is now termed the Spanish Conspiracy. The conspiracy involved Kentucky petitioning to become an independent state and then entering into an alliance with Spain. This would be benificial to Kentucky economically while protecting Spain's valuable colony, Mexico. This alliance plan failed after the defeat of the Jay-Gardoqui Treaty. The treaty would have forbidden United States navigation of the Mississippi River for twenty-five years. Others involved in this failed alliance were James Wilkenson, John Brown, Benjamin Sebastian, and Caleb Wallace. [Kentucky Encyclopedia p.839]

From the description of Harry Innes letter : 1787. (Kentucky Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 37458621

Lawyer, first federal judge for Ky.

From the description of Legal opinions, 1795-1806. (Filson Historical Society, The). WorldCat record id: 49243390

From the description of Harry Innes : miscellaneous papers, 1800-1809. (Filson Historical Society, The). WorldCat record id: 49243388

Lawyer, and first federal judge for Ky.

From the description of Harry Innes : papers, 1750-1816. (Filson Historical Society, The). WorldCat record id: 49243389

Harry Innes was born in Caroline County, Virginia, in 1752. He read law under George Wythe and was admitted to the bar in 1773. Innes migrated to Kentucky in 1783, after being appointed to the newly established supreme court of the Kentucky District. Besides law, Innes was active in land speculation, farming, and politics. He was heavily involved in Kentucky's drive for statehood, served as the first judge of the U.S. Court for the District of Kentucky. He continued to serve as judge until his death in 1816. Several key controversies highlighted Innes's career. This includes Innes's quarrel with Federalist Humphrey Marshall. Marshall believed that Innes participated in the Spanish Conspiracy and Innes believed Marshall was guilty of land fraud. They both tried to impeach the other. This controversy lasted until Innes died.

From the description of Harry Innes letters : 1809-1815. (Kentucky Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 36908789

Virginia legislator; U.S. district judge for Kentucky, 1789-1816.

From the description of Letter, 11 July 1811. (Filson Historical Society, The). WorldCat record id: 49243391

Lawyer and jurist.

From the description of Harry Innes papers, 1754-1900 (bulk 1780-1850). (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 70981879

Judge, attorney, politician.

Harry Innes, a native of Virginia, served as attorney-general for that state's western district, Kentucky, and was later appointed a U.S. District judge. He was implicated in the conspiracies linked to General James Wilkinson, which sought to separate Kentucky from the fledgling American republic and ally it with Spain. Congress did not impeach Innes and he pressed libel suits against his accusers.

From the description of Harry Innes papers, 1775-1815. (University of Kentucky Libraries). WorldCat record id: 13493537

Biographical note: Harry Innes was born in Caroline County, Virginia in 1752, the son of a Scottish Episcopalian minister. He was educated as a lawyer. At the beginning of the American Revolution in 1776 and 1777, Innes was employed by the committee of public safety in Virginia to manage Chupil's lead mines. The Virginia legislature appointed him a commissioner to hear land claims in the state's Abington district.

He was named a judge of the Supreme Court of Virginia for the District of Kentucky in 1783. Two years later, he became the attorney general for the same district. Innes was appointed United States district judge for Kentucky in 1789. Politically allied with George Nicholas and John Brown, Innes favored a separate arrangement between Spain and Kentucky in respect to the navigation of the Mississippi River. He was accused of participation in the "Spanish Conspiracy" to separate Kentucky from the United States, but Congress refused to impeach him. Innes died in Frankfort in 1816. His daughter, Maria Innes, married John H. Todd. After being widowed, she later married John J. Crittenden.

From the description of Notebooks and letters, 1772-1890 (bulk 1772-1807). (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 191917770

Lawyer, judge, politician, and land speculator in Virginia and Kentucky.

Innes was active in Kentucky's drive for statehood, served as the first judge of the U.S. Court for the District of Kentucky, and continued to serve as judge until his death in 1816. He maintained a lifelong feud with Federalist Humphrey Marshall, who believed that Innes wanted to see Kentucky as an independent state in order to form an alliance with Spain.

From the description of Papers, 1784-1808. (Newberry Library). WorldCat record id: 48447745

Biographical Note

  • 1752, Jan. 4: Born, Caroline Co., Va.
  • 1773 - 1776 : Practiced law, Bedford County, Va.
  • [1776]: Married Elizabeth Calloway (died 1791)
  • 1776 - 1777 : Administered powder mills and lead mines in Virginia under the Virginia Committee of Safety
  • 1779: Appointed by Virginia legislature to determine claims to unpatented lands in district around Abingdon, Va. Appointed escheator, Bedford County, Va.
  • 1781: Appointed commissioner of the specific tax, Bedford Co., Va.
  • 1782 - 1783 : Superintendent over commissioners of the specific tax of six Virginia counties
  • 1784: Appointed to succeed Walker Daniel as attorney general for the western district of Virginia
  • 1785: Moved to Kentucky
  • 1785 - 1792 : Member, board of trustees, Transylvania University, Lexington, Ky.
  • 1789: Member, Kentucky Manufacturing Society, which established a cotton factory, Danville, Ky., in 1790
  • 1789 - 1816 : Judge, United States District Court for Kentucky
  • 1792: Married Ann Shields
  • 1816, Sept. 20: Died, Frankfort, Ky.

From the guide to the Harry Innes Papers, 1754-1900, (bulk 1780-1850), (Manuscript Division Library of Congress)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Innes, Harry, 1752-1816. Correspondence, 1807-1808. University of Chicago Library
creatorOf Innes, Harry, 1752-1816. Notebooks and letters, 1772-1890 (bulk 1772-1807). Kentucky Department of Libraries and Archives, Kentucky Guide Project Office
referencedIn Lyne, Edmund, d. 1791. Papers, 1786-1889. University of Chicago Library
referencedIn Sanders family. Sanders family : papers, 1804-1979. The Filson Historical Society
creatorOf Innes, Harry, 1752-1816. Harry Innes : papers, 1750-1816. The Filson Historical Society
creatorOf Innes, Harry, 1752-1816. Harry Innes collection, 1772-1890 (bulk 1772-1807). Kentucky Historical Society, Martin F. Schmidt Research Library
referencedIn Thornton family. Papers, 1773-1909. Virginia Historical Society Library
creatorOf Innes, Harry, 1752-1816. Papers concerning Judge Harry Innes, 1786-1788, 1791-1792, 1893, 1899. University of Chicago Library
referencedIn Virginia. Governor (1781-1784 : Harrison). Decree : legal document, 1782. Kentucky Historical Society, Martin F. Schmidt Research Library
referencedIn Adams, Gilmer Speed, 1854-. Papers collected by Gilmer Speed Adams, 1651-1879. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Bodley family. Bodley family papers, 1773-1939. The Filson Historical Society
referencedIn Tardiveau, Barthelemi, d. 1801. Letters, 1788-1789. The Filson Historical Society
referencedIn Joyes family. Joyes family papers, 1780-1871. The Filson Historical Society
creatorOf Innes, Harry, 1752-1816. Harry Innes papers, 1775-1815. University of Kentucky Libraries
referencedIn Shelby, Isaac, 1750-1826. Isaac Shelby : papers, 1760-1839. The Filson Historical Society
creatorOf Innes, Harry, 1752-1816. Harry Innes : miscellaneous papers, 1800-1809. The Filson Historical Society
creatorOf Innes, Harry, 1752-1816. Letter, 11 July 1811. The Filson Historical Society
referencedIn Shelby, Isaac, 1750-1826. Isaac Shelby papers, 1784-1816. University of Kentucky Libraries
referencedIn Clark, William, d. 1791. Draper manuscripts: William Clark papers, 1780-1804. Wisconsin Historical Society, Newspaper Project
creatorOf Innes, Harry, 1752-1816. Harry Innes letter : 1787. Kentucky Historical Society, Martin F. Schmidt Research Library
referencedIn Brown, Orlando, 1801-1867. Orlando Brown : papers, 1780-1898. The Filson Historical Society
referencedIn Randolph family. Papers, 1763-1841. Virginia Historical Society Library
referencedIn Blair, Francis P., 1791-1876. Francis P. Blair papers : letter, court document, and handbill, 1814-1869. Kentucky Historical Society, Martin F. Schmidt Research Library
referencedIn Todd family. Todd family : papers, 1783-1891. The Filson Historical Society
creatorOf Lewis, John. John Lewis papers : deed and tax assessment, 1795-1807. Kentucky Historical Society, Martin F. Schmidt Research Library
referencedIn Filson Club. Filson Club lectures, 1887-1992. The Filson Historical Society
creatorOf Innes, Harry, 1752-1816. Papers concerning Judge Harry Innes : typescript copies, 1786-1788, 1791-1792, 1893, 1899. University of Chicago Library
referencedIn Todd, Charles Stewart, 1791-1871. Charles Stewart Todd : papers, 1808-1871. The Filson Historical Society
referencedIn Taylor family. Taylor family : papers, 1774-1918. The Filson Historical Society
referencedIn Rothert, Otto Arthur, 1871-1956. Harry Innes collection, 1924-1925. The Filson Historical Society
creatorOf Innes, Harry, 1752-1816. Virginia land warrants : 1783-1785. Kentucky Historical Society, Martin F. Schmidt Research Library
referencedIn Coles, Elizabeth Pendleton. Elizabeth Pendleton Coles papers, 1791-1889. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
referencedIn Todd, Harry Innes, 1818-1891. Harry Innes Todd-George Davidson Todd papers, 1823-1925. The Filson Historical Society
referencedIn Logan, Benjamin, 1743-1802. Statement, 15 May 1786. The Filson Historical Society
referencedIn Beall-Booth family. Beall-Booth family papers, 1778-1956. The Filson Historical Society
creatorOf Innes, Harry, 1752-1816. Harry Innes letters : 1809-1815. Kentucky Historical Society, Martin F. Schmidt Research Library
referencedIn Logan, Benjamin, 1743-1802. Benjamin Logan : miscellaneous papers, 1786-1795. The Filson Historical Society
referencedIn Kentucky Board of War. Letter : Danville, [Ky.], to the commanding officer of Mason County, [Ky.], 1791 July 5. Newberry Library
referencedIn Speed family. Speed family : papers, 1751-1921. The Filson Historical Society
referencedIn Reuben T. Durrett Collection on Kentucky and the Ohio River Valley (University of Chicago. Library). Harry Innes versus Humphrey Marshall : depositions : typescript copies, 1809-1815. University of Chicago Library
creatorOf Innes, Harry, 1752-1816. Legal opinions, 1795-1806. The Filson Historical Society
creatorOf Harry Innes Papers, 1754-1900, (bulk 1780-1850) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
creatorOf Fleming, William, 1729-1795. Papers, 1755-1833. Washington & Lee University, James G. Leyburn Library
referencedIn Taylor family. Taylor family : added papers, 1774-1912. The Filson Historical Society
creatorOf Adair, John, 1757-1840. Autographs : land documents, business letters, and signatures, 1794-1946, bulk 1794-1806. Kentucky Historical Society, Martin F. Schmidt Research Library
creatorOf Innes, Harry, 1752-1816. Papers, 1784-1808. Newberry Library
referencedIn Brown family. Brown family : papers, 1799-1846. The Filson Historical Society
referencedIn United States District Court. Kentucky (Eastern district). Eastern District of the United States District Court of Kentucky : records, 1795-1801. The Filson Historical Society
referencedIn Frankfort (Ky.). Records, 1773-1845, n.d. (bulk) 1797-1811. Kentucky Historical Society, Martin F. Schmidt Research Library
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Adams, Gilmer Speed, 1854- person
correspondedWith Aylett, John person
correspondedWith Aylett, John person
associatedWith Barry, William T. (William Taylor), 1784-1835. person
correspondedWith Beall-Booth family. person
associatedWith Belli, John. person
associatedWith Blair, Francis P., 1791-1876. person
associatedWith Blount, Willie, 1768-1835. person
associatedWith Bodley family. family
associatedWith Boone, Daniel, 1734-1820. person
associatedWith Bradford, John, 1749-1830. person
associatedWith Brown family. family
associatedWith Brown, John, 1757-1837. person
associatedWith Brown, Orlando, 1801-1867. person
correspondedWith Cary, Wilson Miles, 1734-1817 person
associatedWith Clark, Daniel, 1766-1813. person
associatedWith Clark, George Rogers, 1752-1818. person
associatedWith Clark, William, d. 1791. person
associatedWith Clay, Green, 1757-1828. person
correspondedWith Clay, Henry, 1777-1852 person
associatedWith Coles, Elizabeth Pendleton. person
correspondedWith Daveiss, Joseph Hamilton, 1774-1811 person
correspondedWith Davies, William, fl. 1775-1781 person
associatedWith Dodd, George D. person
associatedWith Durrett, Reuben T. (Reuben Thomas), 1824-1913. person
associatedWith Edward E. Ayer Manuscript Collection (Newberry Library) corporateBody
associatedWith Filson Club. corporateBody
associatedWith Fleming, William, 1729-1795. person
associatedWith Fowler, John, 1756-1840. person
associatedWith Frankfort (Ky.) corporateBody
correspondedWith Harrison, Benjamin, ca. 1726-1791 person
correspondedWith Harrison, William Henry, 1773-1841 person
associatedWith Innes, Ann Shields. person
associatedWith Innes, Hugh. person
associatedWith Jay, John, 1745-1829. person
correspondedWith Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826 person
associatedWith Joyes family. family
correspondedWith Kentucky Board of War. corporateBody
correspondedWith Knox, Henry, 1750-1806 person
correspondedWith Lee, Henry, 1756-1818 person
associatedWith Lewis, John. person
associatedWith Library of Congress. Manuscript Division. corporateBody
associatedWith Lightfoot, Mildred. person
associatedWith Lightfoot, Philip. person
associatedWith Logan, Benjamin, 1743-1802. person
associatedWith Logan, John, 1747-1807. person
associatedWith Lyne, Edmund, d. 1791. person
correspondedWith Madison, James, 1751-1836 person
associatedWith Marshall, Humphrey, 1760-1841. person
correspondedWith May, John, 1748-1812 person
associatedWith Newberry Library. corporateBody
correspondedWith Nicholas, George, 1754?-1799 person
associatedWith Nicholas, Wilson Cary, 1757-1820. person
correspondedWith Pendleton, Edmund, 1721-1803 person
correspondedWith Pringle, Elizabeth person
correspondedWith Pringle, Elizabeth person
correspondedWith Randolph, Beverley, 1754-1797 person
associatedWith Randolph, Beverly, 1754-1797. person
associatedWith Randolph family. family
associatedWith Reuben T. Durrett Collection on Kentucky and the Ohio River Valley (University of Chicago. Library) corporateBody
associatedWith Rothert, Otto Arthur, 1871-1956. person
associatedWith Sanders family. family
correspondedWith Sebastian, Benjamin, 1745-1834 person
associatedWith Shelby, Isaac, 1750-1826. person
correspondedWith Short, Peyton, 1761-1825 person
associatedWith Speed family. family
associatedWith St. Clair, Arthur, 1734-1818. person
associatedWith Street, Joseph Montfort, 1782-1840, person
associatedWith Tardiveau, Barthelemi, d. 1801. person
associatedWith Taylor family. family
associatedWith Taylor family. family
correspondedWith Taylor, John, 1753-1824 person
associatedWith Taylor, William Berry, 1768-1836. person
associatedWith Thornton family. family
associatedWith Todd, Charles Stewart, 1791-1871. person
associatedWith Todd family. family
associatedWith Todd family. family
associatedWith Todd family. family
associatedWith Todd, George Davidson, 1856-1929, person
associatedWith Todd, Harry Innes, 1818-1891. person
associatedWith Todd, Thomas, 1765-1826. person
associatedWith Trotter, George, ca. 1778-1823. person
associatedWith Trotter, Samuel, d. 1833. person
associatedWith United States. District Court (Kentucky) corporateBody
associatedWith United States District Court. Kentucky (Eastern district) corporateBody
associatedWith University of Chicago. Library. corporateBody
associatedWith Virginia. Governor (1781-1784 : Harrison) corporateBody
associatedWith Washington, George, 1732-1799. person
associatedWith Wilkins, Charles. person
associatedWith Wilkinson, James, 1757-1825. person
correspondedWith Wills, Peachey person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Kentucky
Virginia
Wilderness Road
Kentucky
Southwest, Old
Virginia
Ohio River Valley
Kentucky
Kentucky
Kentucky
Kentucky
Kentucky
Kentucky
United States
Kentucky
Kentucky
Kentucky
Kentucky
Kentucky
Virginia
Subject
Actions and defenses
Burr Conspiracy, 1805-1807
Court records
Courts
Courts
Decedents' estates
Frontier and pioneer life
Indians of North America
Judges
Judges
Land grants
Land tenure
Land tenure
Land titles
Manuscripts, American
Orchards
Practice of law
Practice of law
Occupation
Judges
Jurists
Lawyers
Politicians
Activity

Person

Birth 1752-01-04

Death 1816-09-10

Male

English

Information

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