Holmes served from 1817 to 1820.
Link to the catalog1817: David Holmes becomes Mississippi’s first governor
Governor David Holmes
March 1, 1817: President James Madison signs enabling act admitting Mississippi to Union
State of Mississippi and Alabama Territory, ca. 1817
The western part of the Mississippi Territory became a state, and the eastern half became the Alabama Territory.
Link to the catalogJuly 1817: Mississippi holds first constitutional convention
Assembled in Washington, Mississippi, 48 delegates wrote a conservative document concentrating power in the hands of the privileged few. According to the constitution, only white property owners or members of the militia would have the right to vote in the new state of Mississippi.
Link to the catalogDecember 10, 1817: Mississippi becomes twentieth state
Twenty Star United States Flag
The United States House and Senate adopted the new constitution, and on December 10 President Monroe signed a joint resolution admitting Mississippi as a state. Natchez was designated state capital, and territorial governor David Holmes was elected Mississippi’s first governor.