January 3 1812: James Barbour

In 1811, James Barbour lost the election for governor of Virginia to the incumbent governor George William Smith.  However, on December 26, 1811, before he could take office, Smith died in a fire at the Richmond Theatre. 

On January 3, 1812, James Barbour, then serving as Speaker of the House of Delegates, was appointed governor of Virginia by the legislature.