Edward Hempstead

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Edward Hempstead (June 3, 1780 – August 10, 1817) was an American lawyer, pioneer, and one of the early settlers in the new Louisiana Purchase in 1805. He was the delegate in the U.S. House for the Missouri Territory from 1812 to 1814.

1 Accident
2 See also
3 References
4 External links

[edit] Accident

Hempstead died after an accident when he was thrown from his horse on August 4, 1817. He died of his injuries six days later at his home in St. Louis, Missouri, and is buried in the Bellefontaine Cemetery there. Hempstead County, Arkansas is named in his honor.

Hempstead was a friend with Thomas Hart Benton (senator). Benton was to say later that he thought Hempstead would have been Missouri first senator if had lived. Benton was with him when he died and spent the wake with him. When Benton came home from the wake Benton received a duel challenge with Charles Lucas (Missouri) following a dispute over a court case. Benton replied he would meet Lucas as soon as Hempstead was buried. The two were to fight two duels with Benton ultimately killing Lucas.^[1]