Metcalfe County / Thomas Metcalfe
Edmonton, Metcalfe County, Kentucky
Marker Inscription
County Named, 1860. For Thomas Metcalfe, 1780-1855. Born Va. Capt. Ky. Vol. War 1812; Congress 1819-28; Governor 1828-32; Ky. Senate 1834-38; U.S. Senate 1848-49, completing Crittenden's term. "Old Stone Hammer'' laid the foundation, 1797, of Governor's Mansion, now home of Lieutenant Governors. Metcalfe County formed out of parts of Adair, Barren, Cumberland, Green & Monroe.
Erected by Kentucky Historical Society
The Story
When Kentucky carved out a new county in 1860, it honored Thomas Metcalfe, a stonemason nicknamed "Old Stone Hammer" who rose from laying the foundation of the Governor's Mansion to living in it. A captain of Kentucky volunteers in the War of 1812, Metcalfe went on to serve in Congress, the governor's chair, and both houses of the state legislature before finishing Crittenden's term in the U.S. Senate. The county drawn from five neighbors bears his name.
Why it matters
Metcalfe's climb from tradesman to governor embodies the self-made political ideal of Jacksonian-era America.
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Related people
- · Thomas Metcalfe
Themes & tags
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