Crittenden, Robert

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Robert Crittenden was born in Kentucky, on January 1, 1797. Crittenden spent a year in the army and was discharged a first lieutenant. He spent time as a captain during the Seminole War and studied law thereafter in Russellville. Albert Pike characterized Crittenden as “a thoroughly well-bred Kentucky gentleman.” Crittenden was the first acting governor of the Arkansas Territory and championed the creation of the capitol in Little Rock.

Source: Alonzo D. Camp, "Ferries Over the Arkansas," Pulaski County Historical Review, 29 (Fall 1981), 52-60

Robert Crittenden had operated a ferry at Little Rock for some time before 1832, where the old Military Road came in from Memphis.

Source: Arkansas Gazette, May 21; 28, 1967.

A Letter to his brother, John Jordan Crittenden, on May 4, 1834.

" I had been imprudent enough some seven years ago to become security for about four thousand dollars, every cent of which I have been compelled to pay - I had sold my ferry and other property to enable me to build my house. When the house was half finished, a court of chancery set aside erroneously the contract and compelled me to refund and take back the departed property. At that time there was no appeal - and thus I was left with all my debts upon me and the expensive building, with all my resources dried up. -My embarrassments were seized upon as a certain means of ascertaining my ruin, and no labour was spared in collecting my debts and pressing me for the money."

Source: Arkansas Gazette, May 28, 1967.

Photo Source: William F. Pope, Early Days in Arkansas, (Little Rock: Frederick W. Allsopp, 1895) p.