Mariano D. Papy

Mariano D. Papy (October 9, 1824 – July 8, 1875), also known as M. D. Papy, was an American planter, attorney, and politician from the state of Florida. Papy served as the 5th Florida Attorney General from 1853 to 1861.[1]

Mariano D. Papy
5th Florida Attorney General
In office April 19, 1853 – March 2, 1861
Governor	James E. Broome Madison S. Perry
Preceded by	David P. Hogue
Succeeded by	John B. Galbraith
Member of the Florida House of Representatives from the Leon County district
In office 1852–1852
1st Clerk of the Supreme Court of Florida
In office 1845–1849
Governor	William Dunn Moseley
Preceded by	Office Established
Succeeded by	Robert S. Hayward
Personal details
Born	October 9, 1824 St. Augustine, Florida Territory
Died	July 8, 1875 (aged 50) Tallahassee, Florida
Political party	Democratic
Occupation	Attorney

Early life

Papy was born on October 9, 1824 in the city of St. Augustine, the largest city in the Florida Territory at the time.[2][3] Though he was born into a poor family, Papy taught himself how to read law. Additionally, he found wealth after an overseer helped him become a successful cotton planter.[4] In 1840, Papy, known for his memory and perceptiveness, was admitted into the Florida Territorial Bar by order of the Florida Territorial Legislative Council despite only begin 16.[5]

Political career

When Florida received statehood in 1845, Papy, a Democrat, was named the first Clerk of the Florida Supreme Court by Governor William Dunn Moseley.[6] He served in this position until 1849, when he returned to private practice. In 1852, he represented Leon County for a single year in the Florida House of Representatives.[7] The following year, Papy was elected to be the fifth Florida Attorney General. He would serve two terms, opting not to run for a third term due to the onset of the American Civil War.[8]

During the Civil War, many pro-secessionists in Florida were became increasingly critical of the worsening economy under Governor John Milton.[9] On January 14, 1862, the Florida Secession Convention reconvened and voted to create an executive council to assist the governor. Papy was appointed to the council of four, serving alongside planter Smith Simkins of Jefferson County, James A. Wiggins of Marion County, and W. D. Barnes of Jackson County. Though initially subservient to Milton, the council helped his leadership become more foresighted.[10]

Papy retired to private practice after the end of the war.

Death and burial

Though seemingly healthy, Papy died in Tallahassee, Florida on July 8, 1875. He is buried in Tallahassee's Old City Cemetery.[2]

See also

• Bernie Papy

References

1. "Florida Attorney General - Florida Attorneys General (1845 - )". myfloridalegal.com. Retrieved 2019-03-26.
2. "Roles and/or Relationships". Tallahassee Cemeteries. Retrieved 2019-03-26.
3. Bureau, US Census. "1830 Census: Fifth Census; or Enumeration of the Inhabitants of the US". www.census.gov. Retrieved 2019-03-26.
4. Rogers, William Warren; Clark, Erica R. (2010-01-01). The Croom Family and Goodwood Plantation: Land, Litigation, and Southern Lives. University of Georgia Press. ISBN 9780820334837.
5. Florida (1844). The Acts and Resolutions of the Legislative Council of the Territory of Florida: Passed at Its Twenty-second Session, which Commenced on the First Day of January, and Ended on the Fifteenth Day of March, 1844. Office of the Star of Florida.
6. "Retirement Ceremony for Thomas D. Hall" (PDF). Florida State University. Retrieved March 26, 2019.
7. Florida, State Library and Archives of. "Portrait of Attorney General Mariano D. Papy". Florida Memory. Retrieved 2019-03-26.
8. Florida, State Library and Archives of. "Florida Governors". Florida Memory. Retrieved 2019-03-26.
9. Florida, State Library and Archives of. "Civil War". Florida Memory. Retrieved 2019-03-26.
10. Florida, State Library and Archives of. "Civil War". Florida Memory. Retrieved 2019-03-26.