Governor, North Carolina, 1802-1805.
Although born in Virginia, James Turner lived in the Warren County area
of North Carolina from age four, where he attended school, farmed, and
served as a private under General Nathaniel Greene in the Revolutionary
War. He served in both the House of Commons and the state Senate before
being elected governor upon the death of governor-elect John Baptista
Ashe in 1802. As governor, he stressed the need for education for all,
not just the wealthy. During his term, numerous bills to establish a
seminary in each district failed to pass. However, his support for
transportation was more successful. The Legislature appropriated funding
for improvement of rivers in all sections of the State, including the
cutting of a canal from the Pungo near Plymouth. In 1805, Governor Turner
left office to fill a vacancy in the US Senate.

1. Normans of Culpepper County,

1. Normans of Culpepper County,