A portrait of James Breckinridge (1763-1833) is temporarily on display at the Botetourt Museum of History and Culture in Fincastle. It is on loan from William Preston’s Historic Smithfield Museum in Blacksburg.
Breckinridge was a prominent figure in Botetourt’s history. He was In Colonel Preston’s rifle regiment during the Revolutionary War, attended Washington College (now Washington & Lee University) and graduated from the College of William & Mary in 1785. After being admitted to the bar he practiced law in Fincastle in what is believed to have been the oldest structure in the courthouse square. He began his career in public service as Deputy Clerk of the Botetourt Court, served 13 terms in the Virginia House of Delegates and then in the U.S. House of Representatives. During the War of 1812 he served as Brigadier General. He was also instrumental in the founding of the University of Virginia alongside his friend Thomas Jefferson.
As an early leader he helped to shape the political and economic life of western Virginia during the early years of the new republic.
General Breckinridge is buried on the property of his home “Grove Hill” outside of Fincastle.
~ Botetourt County Museum of History & Culture
