Call, R. K. (Richard Keith), 1791-1862

Territorial governor of Florida.

The third and fifth territorial governor of Florida, Richard Keith Call came to Florida in 1814 as a soldier with General Andrew Jackson. Serving as personal aide to Jackson, Call helped set up Florida's territorial government at Pensacola in 1821. The next year, he started a law practice there. Successively, he was a member of the Legislative Council, delegate to Congress, receiver of the West Florida land office, brigadier general of the West Florida militia and territorial governor. Commanding the troops in the Seminole war while governor, Call routed the Indians in the second and third battles of Wahoo Swamp. He was removed as governor because of controversy with Federal authorities over help for Florida in the Indian conflict. When Florida became a state in 1845, Call ran for governor but was defeated.

Army officer, delegate to the U.S. Congress from Florida, and governor of Florida (Territory).

Richard Call was born in Virginia in 1792 [i.e.1791], came to Florida in 1814 as the personal aide of Andrew Jackson, returned with him to Pensacola in 1821 to set up the new Territorial government, and decided in 1822 to make Florida his home. He served as the 3rd Territorial governor from Mar. 1836-Dec. 1839 and as the 5th Territorial governor from Mar. 1841-Aug. 1844.

R.K. Call led the Florida Militia in fighting the Seminoles during his 1st term. He built an estate in Tallahassee, called "The Grove," in the 1830's, which later became the home of Governor LeRoy Collins whose wife, Mary Call Collins was a descendant of Governor Call. R. K. Call died at The Grove Sept. 14, 1862--cf. Museum of Florida History, Florida Governor Portraits.

Richard Keith Call was the third and fifth territorial governor of Florida. He came to Florida in 1814 as a soldier with General Andrew Jackson. Serving as personal aide to Jackson, Call helped set up Florida's territorial government at Pensacola in 1821. The next year, he started a law practice there.

Successively, he was a member of the Legislative Council; Delegate to Congress; Receiver of the West Florida Land Office; Brigadier General of the West Florida Militia; and Territorial Governor. While Territorial Governor, Call routed the Indians in the Second and Third Battles of Wahoo Swamp. He was removed as governor because of controversy with Federal authorities over help for Florida in the Seminole Wars. When Florida became a state in 1845, Call ran for governor, but was defeated.

Richard Keith Call was the third and fifth territorial governor of Florida. He was born in 1792 and came to Florida in 1814 as a soldier with General Andrew Jackson. Serving as personal aide to Jackson, Call helped set up Florida's territorial government at Pensacola in 1821. The next year, he started a law practice there.

Successively, he was a member of the Legislative Council; Delegate to Congress; Receiver of the West Florida Land Office; Brigadier General of the West Florida Militia; and Territorial Governor.

Commanding the troops in the Seminole Wars while Governor, Call routed the Indians in the Second and Third Battles of Wahoo Swamp. He was removed as governor because of controversy with Federal authorities over help for Florida in the Indian conflict. When Florida became a state in 1845, Call ran for governor, but was defeated.

Governor, soldier.

Richard Call, the namesake of his uncle, a Revolutionary War hero, was born in Virginia on October 24, 1792. He came to Florida in 1814 as the personal aide of Andrew Jackson, returned with him to Pensacola in 1821 to set up the new territorial government, and decided in 1822 to make Florida his home. He served as a member of the Legislative Council, a delegate to Congress, and, finally, territorial governor.

Call led the Florida militia in fighting the Seminoles during his first term. During his second administration as governor, he moved the territory closer to statehood and tried to minimize the financial problems that Florida experienced because of bank failures and the national business depression. Call built an estate in Tallahassee, called "The Grove," in the 1830s where he died on September 14, 1862.