Mississippi Trivia

The Mississippi Territory was created by an act of Congress, April 7, 1798, with Winthrop Sargent as the first territorial governor. The first Legislature of the new Territory of Mississippi met at Natchez on September 22, 1800.

On February 1, 1802, the seat of territorial government was moved from Natchez and established permanently at Washington, a few miles east of Natchez. On March 1, 1817, the United States Congress passed an act to prepare for statehood which enabled the people of the Mississippi Territory to adopt a Constitution and form a state government. The first Constitutional Convention met in Washington and on August 15, 1817 the Convention adopted the first Constitution of the proposed new State of Mississippi. David Holmes was elected the first Governor.

Early legislative sessions met in Washington and Natchez until sentiment had crystalized in favor of a permanent seat at or near the center of the new state. A new town was surveyed and named Jackson, in honor of Major-General Andrew Jackson. The first state house, a small brick building, was erected on the northeast corner of Capitol and President Streets and was in use from 1822 to 1839.

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