George Bedinger was born on December 10, 1756, in York County, Pennsylvania, the third child of Henry and Magdalene (von Schlegel) Bedinger, but soon afterward was taken to Shepherdstown, Virginia. (now West Verginia). His grandfather, Adam Büdinger, was a German emigrant from Alsace.
On the outbreak of the Revolution George joined Washington's command at Cambridge. He reenlisted at various times for short terms until the spring of 1779, when he made a trip to Boonesborough, Kentucky. At this time the Kentucky settlements were hard-pressed by the Indians from the north of the Ohio. Col. John Bowman organized an expedition against the Indian villages around Chillicothe and selected Bedinger as his adjutant and quartermaster, who rendered valuable aid. On their retreat they were followed by the Indians and attacked in the most distressing circumstances. Bedinger was one of the leaders in a counter charge by a cavalry detachment that prevented any further pursuit.
After seven months in Kentucky Bedinger returned to eastern Virginia and in 1780 went with a wagon train to South Carolina. The next year he rejoined Washington's army and was present at the siege of Yorktown, leaving, however, before Cornwallis surrendered. About the time hostilities with England ended he formed a partnership in the milling business with James Rumsey. In 1784 he journeyed down the Ohio again to Louisville. For the next few years he visited back and forth a number of times between Shepherdstown and the Kentucky country.
His love of adventure and excitement led him to join the St. Clair expedition against the Indians in 1791. Although taking no part in the contentions and turmoils preceding Kentucky's admission into the Union, he immediately thereafter entered politics and was honored with both state and national offices. In 1792 and 1794 he represented Bourbon County in the legislature and from 1803 to 1807 served in the lower house of Congress. One of the earliest and most bitter opponents of slavery in Kentucky, he tried while a congressman to circumscribe the institution as much as possible. He also opposed paying the claims arising out of the Georgia Yazoo Fund. Bedinger died on his farm near Blue Licks and was buried in the family cemetery on the banks of the Licking River.
George Bedinger is known for his military and political career. During the American Revolutionary War he served as Major in the Battle of Blue Licks, Kentucky, in 1782, and during the Northwest Indian War he was commanding officer of the 3rd Sublegion, US Army Infantry, from 1792 to 1793. And as politician Bedinger's most prominent service was at the Eighth and Ninth Congresses from 1803 to 1807.
George Bedinger was a member of the State house of representatives of the first legislature of Kentucky (1792); the State senate (1800-1801); the U. S. House of Representatives from Kentucky's 6th congressional district (1803–1807).
Bedinger was married twice: first to Nancy Keene, who died at the birth of her first child in 1787, and then to Henrietta Clay, who bore him nine children. One son, Henry, became a congressman from Virginia and later served as minister to Denmark.
He became a congressman from Virginia and later served as minister to Denmark.
