Peyton Short - Life in Kentucky

Life in Kentucky

Short came to Kentucky with future Governor of Kentucky Charles Scott. Rather than cross the wilderness from Virginia, the pair traveled down the Ohio River and landed at the Falls of the Ohio. From there, Short journeyed to Lincoln County, settling in Danville. While there, he was invited to become a member of the Danville Political Club, a debating society that was active in that city from 1786 to 1790.

In 1788, he married Maria Symmes, the daughter of John Cleves Symmes, who he had met at James Wilkinson's house two years earlier. He moved to Greenfield, his estate in Woodford County about 1790. The couple had three children: Charles, John, and Anna. His son, John married Betsey Basset Harrison, the daughter of Peyton's brother-in-law, William Henry Harrison. That year, he partnered with Wilkinson in opening a general store.

Short took an active part in the early political and economic life of Kentucky. In 1789, he became the first collector of the port at Louisville. In 1791, he was elected one of the trustees of the city of Lexington, but resigned the post the following year. He was one of the electors chosen to elect the first governor of Kentucky and its first state senators. The other electors chose him to represent Fayette County in the first Kentucky Senate from 1792 to 1796.

In 1793, Short became president of the Transylvania Company (a fund-raising organization for Transylvania Seminary, not the land speculation company). In this capacity, he managed a lottery to raise funds for the school, which was later known as Transylvania University. He also served on the board of trustees for the seminary. He voted in the minority against elevating Harry Toulmin, a Unitarian, to the presidency of the historically Presbyterian institution. Short, Caleb Wallace, and Christopher Greenup resigned their positions on the board in protest.

Short's wife Maria died in 1802. About 1803, he married Jane Churchill, widow of Armistead Churchill. Together, they had three daughters, Jane, Elizabeth, and Sarah. Jane Churchill-Short died in 1808 or 1809.

Short engaged in land speculation and incurred severe financial losses. In 1809, he traveled through Mississippi Territory trying to recover his fortune. His attempt was futile, however, and by 1813 the only thing he owned was his own home. Eventually, he had to sell the estate and relocated to Christian County, settling near Hopkinsville. He died September 1, 1825 in Christian County.