Genealogy of Thomas E Cady - Person Sheet
Genealogy of Thomas E Cady - Person Sheet
NameHenry Massie Rector 
Birth1 May 1816, Louisville,,Ky
Death12 Aug 1899, Little Rock,,Arkansas
FatherElias Rector, Col. (1785-1822)
MotherFannie Bardella Thurston (1795-)
Misc. Notes
From Arkansas History Commission- March 2, 1934 Henry M. Rector, sixth governor of the State of Arkansas, was born in Louisville, Kentucky, May 1, 1816, a son of Elias and Fannie B. ( Thurston) Rector. Soon after his birth his family moved to St. Louis, Missouri, where Elias Rector died in 1822. Subsequently the widow married Stephen Trigg and removed to Saline County, Missouri. Here Mr. Twiggs engaged in the manufacture of salt. From the time that he was 13 until he was 17 years of age, it was Henry's task to haul wood with an ox team to the salt works. During this time he had no opportunity to attend school, but his mother, who was an educated woman, taught him the rudiments of an English education
In 1833 his Kentucky relatives sent him to Francis Goddard's school in Louisville where he remained a student for two years and then came to Arkansas to look after certain lands, which he, as the only surviving child, had inherited from his father. Some of the land in question is now a part of the Hot Springs Reservation, which had been located upon the New Madrid Certificate. Many years were spent in prosecution this claim against other persons, and finally against the United States Government, but Rector was unsuccessful in his efforts to establish title to his claim.
During the years 1839 and 1840 Rector held a position as a teller in a bank of the State of Arkansas. In 1841 he moved to a farm in Saline County where he began to study law. From 1843 to 1845 he was United States Marshal for the District of Arkansas. He was then admitted to the bar and began the practice of his profession in Little Rock, Arkansas, but soon returned to Saline Co. In 1848 he was elected to the State Senate for the district composed of Perry and Saline Counties. He was Surveyor General from 1853 to 1857: was elected to the lower house of the legislature from Pulaski county in 1854 and in 1859 was elected Associate Justice of the Supreme Court by the General Assembly.
In 1860 he resigned his position on the Supreme Bench to become an independent Democratic candidate for governor. What was known as the " Conway-Johnson Dynasty" was thought to be all powerful in Arkansas politics. Rector, however, was a forcible and convincing orator. By his persuasive eloquence and his appeal to the common sense of the voters, he overthrew the " Dynasty " and was elected by over a 2000 majority. There was the a paper called The Independent published at Fayetteville by William Quesenbury - popularly known as " Bill Cush " who was very clever cartoonist. Immediately after the election he published a cartoon entitled, "Tom Dick and Harry " in which Thomas Hubbard, the Wig candidate, was represented as Old Mother Hubbard examining a bare cupboard, Dick Johnson was seated astride a whiskey barrel surrounded by a crowd of his supporters to who he was explaining how it happened to his supporters, while " Harry " Rector represented as a rooster was strutting about and making a welkin ring with his crowing. ( Welking means in the sky )
Professor Shinn in his " Pioneers and Makers of Arkansas says: " the regular Democrats smarting under their defeat, took an undue advantage of him in the convention of 1861 The body, while providing for a new constitution which contained certain offices in force, intentionally or unintentionally omitted to make any provision whatever for the Governor's office. Rector's adherents have always claimed that this was done intentionally and from the meager records which have come down to posterity, it is entirely safe to say that this contention of Rector's friend was true. All the events, it was claimed that, as the constitution did not provide for a Governor, a vacancy existed, which contention was upheld by the Supreme Court. He served as Governor from Nov. 15, 1860 to Nov. 4, 1862."
Upon retiring from his governor's office, Mr. Rector enlisted as a private in the Confederate Reserve Corp ( refusing an appointment as quartermaster ) and served until the close of the war. For several years after the war he engaged in agriculture pursuits in Garland County. He was delegate from the County to the Constitutional Convention in 1874 and wielded a powerful influence in framing the new organic law of Arkansas. He died at his home in the City of Little Rock on August 12, 1899.
Governor Rector was twice married. His first wife, whom he was united in Oct. 1838, was Miss Jane Elizabeth, daughter of William Field, of Little Rock. She died November 20, 1857, leaving four sons and three daughters, and in 1860 he married Miss Ernestine Flore Linde, daughter of Albert Linde, of Memphis, Tenn. One daughter was born of the second marriage. -----------------------------------------------------------------
His son Henry Massie Rector MD was good in his profession in Little Rock Arkansas Henry Massie 111 was a lawyer in Little Rock Also Henry Massie Rector 4 th and 5 th lived in Little Rock. --------------------------------------------------------------- From HISTORY OF THE DESCENDANTS OF J.J. RECTOR. As Governor of Arkansas, Henry Massie Rector, was called upon by the U.S. Government to supply troops for the Civil War, refused to send troops to help the North. When he was turned out of office by the people, he joined the Confederate Army as a private and to show his contempt for Lincoln bought a slave in 1863. After the war he retired to his plantation in Ark, His son Elias W. Rector Married Rosebud Alcorn daughter of the Governor of Miss.
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From THE REBELLION RECORD by Frank Moore 2 nd volume.
This publication has the information that is in the History of J.J.Rector and also contains a letter by Henry Massie to John Ross Chief of the Cherokee Indians promising support for him and at the same time hoping that Ross would stand by the South who could supply him Slaves to develop the Cherokee Indians.The Indians should support the South as Lincoln was planning on using the Cherokee Nation as a home for abolitionists and northern moneyed people. Chief Ross said that their natural feelings was for the South but the U.S. ( north ) had promised the Indians security and the treaties were with Washington and they felt that they had to stay neutral.
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From HISTORY OF ARKANSAS-
In April 1861, Lincoln order the raising of 75,000 troops to put down the Southern Rebellion. The Sect of War asked Arkansas to furnish 7500 troops. Following is a letter in reply to the Sect. of War. “ In answer to your requisition of troops from Arkansas, to subjugate the southern state, I have to say that none will be furnished. The demand is only adding insult to injury. The people of the Commonwealth are free not slaves and will defend to the last extremity their honor, lives and property against northern mendacity and usurpation. ( Signed ) Henry M Rector, Governor of Arkansas. A State convention was held and on the 6 th of May, 1861 Arkansas State convention passed an order of secession. Under authority given to him he raised an army of 40 regiments and battalions, seized the arsenal at Little Rock and the fort at Fort Smith and large quantities of arms and stores.
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We found the following message in the MEMPHIS APPEAL Feb 19 ???
This morning Governor Rector of Arkansas issued a proclamation, drafting into immediate service every man in the State subject to military duty to respond in twenty days.
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In 1833 his Kentucky relatives sent him to Francis Goddard's school in Louisville where he remained a student for two years and then came to Arkansas to look after certain lands, which he, as the only surviving child, had inherited from his father. Some of the land in question is now a part of the Hot Springs Reservation, which had been located upon the New Madrid Certificate. Many years were spent in prosecution this claim against other persons, and finally against the United States Government, but Rector was unsuccessful in his efforts to establish title to his claim.
During the years 1839 and 1840 Rector held a position as a teller in a bank of the State of Arkansas. In 1841 he moved to a farm in Saline County where he began to study law. From 1843 to 1845 he was United States Marshal for the District of Arkansas. He was then admitted to the bar and began the practice of his profession in Little Rock, Arkansas, but soon returned to Saline Co. In 1848 he was elected to the State Senate for the district composed of Perry and Saline Counties. He was Surveyor General from 1853 to 1857: was elected to the lower house of the legislature from Pulaski county in 1854 and in 1859 was elected Associate Justice of the Supreme Court by the General Assembly.
In 1860 he resigned his position on the Supreme Bench to become an independent Democratic candidate for governor. What was known as the " Conway-Johnson Dynasty" was thought to be all powerful in Arkansas politics. Rector, however, was a forcible and convincing orator. By his persuasive eloquence and his appeal to the common sense of the voters, he overthrew the " Dynasty " and was elected by over a 2000 majority. There was the a paper called The Independent published at Fayetteville by William Quesenbury - popularly known as " Bill Cush " who was very clever cartoonist. Immediately after the election he published a cartoon entitled, "Tom Dick and Harry " in which Thomas Hubbard, the Wig candidate, was represented as Old Mother Hubbard examining a bare cupboard, Dick Johnson was seated astride a whiskey barrel surrounded by a crowd of his supporters to who he was explaining how it happened to his supporters, while " Harry " Rector represented as a rooster was strutting about and making a welkin ring with his crowing. ( Welking means in the sky )
Professor Shinn in his " Pioneers and Makers of Arkansas says: " the regular Democrats smarting under their defeat, took an undue advantage of him in the convention of 1861 The body, while providing for a new constitution which contained certain offices in force, intentionally or unintentionally omitted to make any provision whatever for the Governor's office. Rector's adherents have always claimed that this was done intentionally and from the meager records which have come down to posterity, it is entirely safe to say that this contention of Rector's friend was true. All the events, it was claimed that, as the constitution did not provide for a Governor, a vacancy existed, which contention was upheld by the Supreme Court. He served as Governor from Nov. 15, 1860 to Nov. 4, 1862."
Upon retiring from his governor's office, Mr. Rector enlisted as a private in the Confederate Reserve Corp ( refusing an appointment as quartermaster ) and served until the close of the war. For several years after the war he engaged in agriculture pursuits in Garland County. He was delegate from the County to the Constitutional Convention in 1874 and wielded a powerful influence in framing the new organic law of Arkansas. He died at his home in the City of Little Rock on August 12, 1899.
Governor Rector was twice married. His first wife, whom he was united in Oct. 1838, was Miss Jane Elizabeth, daughter of William Field, of Little Rock. She died November 20, 1857, leaving four sons and three daughters, and in 1860 he married Miss Ernestine Flore Linde, daughter of Albert Linde, of Memphis, Tenn. One daughter was born of the second marriage. -----------------------------------------------------------------
His son Henry Massie Rector MD was good in his profession in Little Rock Arkansas Henry Massie 111 was a lawyer in Little Rock Also Henry Massie Rector 4 th and 5 th lived in Little Rock. --------------------------------------------------------------- From HISTORY OF THE DESCENDANTS OF J.J. RECTOR. As Governor of Arkansas, Henry Massie Rector, was called upon by the U.S. Government to supply troops for the Civil War, refused to send troops to help the North. When he was turned out of office by the people, he joined the Confederate Army as a private and to show his contempt for Lincoln bought a slave in 1863. After the war he retired to his plantation in Ark, His son Elias W. Rector Married Rosebud Alcorn daughter of the Governor of Miss.
----------------------------------------------------------------
From THE REBELLION RECORD by Frank Moore 2 nd volume.
This publication has the information that is in the History of J.J.Rector and also contains a letter by Henry Massie to John Ross Chief of the Cherokee Indians promising support for him and at the same time hoping that Ross would stand by the South who could supply him Slaves to develop the Cherokee Indians.The Indians should support the South as Lincoln was planning on using the Cherokee Nation as a home for abolitionists and northern moneyed people. Chief Ross said that their natural feelings was for the South but the U.S. ( north ) had promised the Indians security and the treaties were with Washington and they felt that they had to stay neutral.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
From HISTORY OF ARKANSAS-
In April 1861, Lincoln order the raising of 75,000 troops to put down the Southern Rebellion. The Sect of War asked Arkansas to furnish 7500 troops. Following is a letter in reply to the Sect. of War. “ In answer to your requisition of troops from Arkansas, to subjugate the southern state, I have to say that none will be furnished. The demand is only adding insult to injury. The people of the Commonwealth are free not slaves and will defend to the last extremity their honor, lives and property against northern mendacity and usurpation. ( Signed ) Henry M Rector, Governor of Arkansas. A State convention was held and on the 6 th of May, 1861 Arkansas State convention passed an order of secession. Under authority given to him he raised an army of 40 regiments and battalions, seized the arsenal at Little Rock and the fort at Fort Smith and large quantities of arms and stores.
--------------------------------------------------------------
We found the following message in the MEMPHIS APPEAL Feb 19 ???
This morning Governor Rector of Arkansas issued a proclamation, drafting into immediate service every man in the State subject to military duty to respond in twenty days.
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