|
Wednesday,
" February 14, 2024 "
( This webpage originally created in " February, 1998 " )
Military service, if any shown, is the highest rank obtained.
~ All weblinks within this document are " Bright Blue " ~
| ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Delaware Governor ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ |
( February 12, 1777 ~ September 22, 1777 )
New Castle County
Age 55 ~ Physcian ~ Presbyterian ~ Brigadier General
( Lettering in " Bright Blue " below are weblinks )
Interesting Facts :
" Signature "
of Gov. John McKinly " |
 " Only Governor " to be born in a foreign country ( Ireland ) .....
" 1st Governor " to be elected to office .....
" 1st Governor " from New Castle County .....
His term in office was cut short when he was captured and made a " Prisoner Of War "
by the British Army during the Revolutionary War .....
" Only Delaware Governor " to be held as a " Prisoner Of War " while in office .....
In 1783 John McKinley ran, " unsuccessfully ",
to be the 7th President of Delaware ( " Governor " ) being defeated by :
" Nicholas Van Dyke " receiving 12 of 30 votes .....
There is no " known " portrait of him .....
Date and Place of Birth :
February 21, 1721 ~ Northern Ireland
Parents :
Unknown
Married :
Jane " Jenny " Richardson McKinley ~ in 1761 ~ ( b. 1725 ~ d. 1805 )
Children : None
Delaware Currency
Signed by
" Gov. John McKinly " |
Other facts about his life :
Moved to Wilmington, Delaware in 1742
Lieutenant in the New Castle County Militia, 1747
Major in the New Castle County Militia during French & Indian War
Sheriff of New Castle County, 1757
Served multiple years as Mayor of Wilmington, Delaware
President of the Delaware Council of Safety, 1775
Brigadier General of the New Castle County Militia, 1775
Elected in 1771 to serve in the "Assembly of the Lower Three Counties Upon Delaware",
serving until 1776
Elected to Delaware's 1st General Assembly in 1776 and served as Speaker of the House
Elected by the General Assembly as Delaware's 1st President ( " Governor " ) on February 12, 1777
receiving 19 of 23 votes
" Significant events during his term as Governor : "
Captured by the British Army, September 22, 1777 and placed on the " HMS Roebuck " in the Delaware Bay
as a " Prisoner Of War " .....
He was transfered to the " HMS Solebay " and then later to Flatbush, New York .....
He made many pleas and requests to
" General George Washington ", " General Howe ", and the " Delaware General Assembly " to help with his release ~ " without any success ".
To make matters worse he also was replaced as the Governor on September 22, 1777 by " Thomas McKean " while still a prisoner of the British.
Paroled to Wilmington, Delaware in August 1778
Chosen as a delegate to the U.S. Congress after the war but refused to serve
Returned to medical practice until his passing
One of the founders of the Delaware Medical Society in 1789
Date and Place of Passing :
August 21, 1796 ~ Wilmington, Delaware ~ Age 75
Place of Burial :
1st interred in the Presbyterian Churchyard ~ Wilmington, Delaware
Re-interred in the Wilmington & Brandywine Cemetery ~ Wilmington, Delaware in 1922
To view " Governor McKinly's " Place of Burial / with photos :
Home :
Northwest corner of 3rd & French Streets, Wilmington, Delaware ~ ( No Longer Standing )
To view a Biography of " Governor McKinly " written by Russ Pickett :
To view " Governor McKinly's Wikipedia article " created from this page's info:
| ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Delaware Governor ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ |
Official
State Portrait
|
( September 22, 1777 - October 20, 1777 - " Acting " )
( " Assumed Term of Gov. John McKinly after his capture by the British Army " )
New Castle County
Age 43 - Lawyer, Landowner ~ Presbyterian ~ Colonel
( 1774 - 1776 and 1778 - 1782 )
House :
( October 28, 1776 ~ September 22, 1777 ~ " 1st Term " )
( October 20, 1778 ~ October 20, 1779 ~ " 2nd Term " )
( Lettering in " Bright Blue " below are weblinks )
Interesting Facts :
" Thomas McKean " |
Signer of the Declaration of Independence !
Served in the office of President only 29 days.
" 1st individual " to assume the office of Governor.
" 1st Speaker of the House " to replace a Governor ~ Speaker George Read was not in the state at the time.
" 1st Governor " to resign as the Governor of Delaware
Resigned to take a Chief Justice position in Pennsylvania.
Also served as Governor of Pennsylvania ( 1799 - 1808 )
Being an outspoken advocate of independence,
McKean's was a key voice in persuading others to vote for a split with Great Britain.
Date and Place of Birth :
March 19, 1734 ~ New London, Pennsylvania
Parents :
( Clicking on the family highlighted names " below " show where they are interred ~ many include photos )
William McKean - ( 1707 - 1769 )
Letitia Finney McKean - ( 1709 - 1742 )
Married : ~ ( Twice ~ 1st Marriage )
Mary Borden McKean ~ ( 1744 ~ 1773 ) ~ Married in 1763
Children:
Joseph Borden McKean ~ ( 1764 ~ 1826 ) ~ Married Hannah Miles
Robert McKean ~ ( 1766 ~ 1802 ) ~ Married Ann Smith
Elizabeth McKean Pettit ~ ( 1767 ~ 1811 ) ~ Married Andrew Pettit
Letitia McKean Buchanan ~ ( 1769-1845 ) ~ Married George Buchanan
Mary McKean ~ ( 1771 ~ 1781 )
Anne McKean Buchanan ~ ( 1773 ~ 1804 ~ Married Andrew Buchanan )
Married : ~ ( Twice ~ 2nd Marriage )
Sarah Armitage McKean ~ ( 1756 ~ 1820 ) ~ Married 2nd on September 2, 1774
Children :
Sarah McKean ~ ( July 8, 1777 ~ 1841 ) ~ Married Senor Don Carlos Martinez de Yrujo )
Thomas McKean, Jr. ~ ( 1779 ~ 1852 ) ~ Married Sarah Clementina " Pratt " McKean )
Sophia Dorothea McKean ~ ( 1783 ~ 1819 )
Maria Louisa McKean ~ ( 1785 ~ 1788 )
Facts about his life :
Was privately taught.
Engaged as clerk to the Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas for two years
Deputy Prothonotary and Register for the Probate of Wills for New Castle County, studying law at the same time.
Admitted to the Delaware bar in 1755 and commenced practice in New Castle, Delaware.
Appointed Deputy Attorney General for Sussex County in 1756 and served until 1758 when he resigned.
Went to England and resumed the study of law at the Middle Temple in London.
Member of the Stamp-Act Congress in 1765.
Elected in 1767 to serve in the "Assembly of the Lower Three Counties Upon Delaware",
serving until 1776. Served as Speaker of that body in 1772.
Member of the Continental Congress for Delaware - 1774-1776, 1778-1782 and served as President of Congress in 1781.
Elected to Delaware's 1st General Assembly and served in the Delaware State House of Representatives in 1776 and 1777
and served as speaker in the latter year.
Assumed the office of President ( " Governor " ) of Delaware on September 22, 1777 due to the capture of :
" President John McKinly " by the British and the absence of Speaker of the Senate " George Read, Sr. "
and served until October 20, 1777 when he " resigned " to take a Chief Justice position in Pennsylvania .....
Chief Justice of Pennsylvania 1777 - 1799.
Served in the Revolutionary War.
Member of the convention of Pennsylvania which ratified the Constitution of the United States December 12, 1787.
Governor of Pennsylvania 1799 - 1808.
Date and Place of Passing :
June 24, 1817 ~ Philadelphia, Pennsylvania ~ Age 83
Place of Burial :
Laurel Hill Cemetery ~ Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
To view " Governor McKean's " Burial Site :
Home :
New Castle, Delaware ~ Exact location unknown
To view a short Biography of " Governor McKean " written by Russ Pickett :
To view his " Wikipedia Article " originally created from this page's info:
Mary Borden McKean
( 1st wife of Thomas ) |
Sarah Armitage McKean
( 2nd wife of Thomas ) |
" Gov. McKean's Grave Site "
|
| ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Delaware Governor ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ |
Official
State Portrait |
( October 20, 1777 - March 31, 1778 - "Acting" )
( " Assumed Term of Gov. John McKinly from Thomas McKean after McKean's resignation " )
New Castle County ~ Age 44 - Lawyer - Episcopalian
( 1774 - 1777 )
( March 4, 1789 - September 18, 1793 )
" Delaware's 2nd U.S. Senator "
House :
( October 20, 1780 ~ October 20, 1782 )
Senate :
( October 20, 1782 ~ October 20, 1788 )
( Lettering in " Bright Blue " below are weblinks )
Interesting Facts :
 " George Read, Sr. " |
Served in office 5 months, 6 days.
1st Speaker of the Senate to replace a Governor.
Served as the British Crown Attorney General from October 20, 1763 ~ October 20, 1774.
He was initially against independence from Great Britain which caused
" Caesar Rodney " to make his historic ride from Dover to Philadelphia on July 1 - 2, 1776
to break the tie in the Delaware delegation in the vote for Independance.
Signer of the U.S. Constitution representing Delaware.
Signer of the Declaration of Independence.
He was one of only two statesmen who signed " all three "
of the great State papers on which the country's history is based :
The original " Petition to the King " of the Congress of 1774 .....
The " Declaration of Independence " .....
and the " Constitution of the United States " .....
Worked on the drafting of Delaware's Constitution .....
Date and Place of Birth :
September 18, 1733 ~ Cecil County, Maryland
Parents :
( Clicking on the family highlighted names " below " show where they are interred ~ many include photos )
John Read - ( 1688 - 1756 )
Mary Howell Read - ( 1711 - 1784 )
Married : ~ Married in 1763
Gertrude Ross Read ~ ( 1735 - 1802 ) - widow of a " Till " and sister of " George Ross " of Pennsylvania
Children:
John Read ~ died an infant
George Read, Jr. ~ ( 1765 ~ 1836 ) - Married Mary Thompson Read
William Read ~ ( 1767 ~ 1846 )
John Read ~ ( 1769 ~ 1854 )
Mary Read Pearce ~ married Matthew Pearce
Facts about his life :
Completed preparatory studies; studied law
Admitted to the Delaware bar and began practice in New Castle, Delaware, in 1752
Attorney General for lower Delaware, 1763 - 1774
Elected in 1765 to serve in the Assembly of the Lower Three Counties Upon the Delaware
Elected in 1768 to again serve in the "Assembly of the Lower Three Counties Upon Delaware", serving until 1776
Member of the Continental Congress from Delaware - 1774 - 1777
President of the Delaware State Constitutional Convention in 1776
Elected to the 1st General Assembly of Delaware in 1776 and served in the State Senate. Was named Speaker of Senate in both 1776 and 1777
Assumed the office of President ( "Governor" ) of Delaware on October 20, 1777 due to the resignation of :
" President Thomas McKean "
and served until March 31, 1778 when another election was held
Served as in the Delaware State House of Representatives 1779 - 1780
Judge of the United States Court of Appeals in admiralty cases 1782
Representative at the Annapolis convention 1786
Delegate from Delaware to the Federal Constitutional Convention
Elected by the Delaware General Assembly to the United States Senate in 1789
Re-elected by the Delaware General Assembly in 1790
Served from March 4, 1789, to September 18, 1793, when he resigned, having been appointed Chief Justice of Delaware
" Chief Justice of Delaware " - ( 1793 - 1798 )
Date and Place of his Passing :
September 21, 1798 ~ New Castle, Delaware ~ Age 65
Place of Burial :
Immanuel Church Cemetery, New Castle, Delaware
To view " Governor Read's " Burial / Headstone site:
Home :
On the Strand in New Castle, Delaware
( No longer standing, site currently the gardens of the George Read, II home )
To view a short biography of " Governor Read " written by Russ Pickett :
To view " George Read's " U.S. Congress Biographical Page:
To view the " Wikipedia article " created from this page's info:
" Gov. Read's Grave Site "
|
| ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Delaware Governor ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ |
( March 31, 1778 - November 6, 1781 )
Kent County
Age 49 ~ Lawyer, Planter ~ Episcopalian ~ Brigadier General
( 1774 ~ 1776 & 1782 ~ 1783 )
( Lettering in " Bright Blue " below are weblinks )
Interesting Facts :
There is no known likeness of Caesar Rodney
He suffered from face cancer which is why there is no known portrait of him .....
A man once wanted to paint a portrait of him and said that he would leave the cancer growth out .....
Caesar replyed, " Then it wouldn't look like me would it. "
" 1st Governor " ~ to server longer than 7 months in office ~ ( 3 years and 8 months )
" 1st Governor " ~ from Kent County, Delaware
" 1st Governor " ~ born in Delaware
" 1st Governor " ~ to be elected as a Bachelor
" 2nd Governor " ~ to be elected to office
Signer of the ~ " Declaration of Independence ! "
Brother of Continental Congressman ~ " Thomas Rodney "
Uncle of Delaware's 12th U. S. Senator ~ " Caesar Augustus Rodney "
Cousin of Delaware's 18th U.S. Representative ~ " George Brydges Rodney "
Caesar Rodney Statue
in the
U.S. Capitol Building
( Artist Impression )
of what he may have
looked like.
|
Date and Place of Birth :
October 7, 1728 ~ Dover, Delaware
Parents :
Caesar Rodney
Mary Crawford Rodney
Married :
Never married
Children:
None
Facts about his life :
Completed preparatory studies
Engaged in agricultural pursuits
High Sheriff of Kent County 1755-1758
Justice of the Peace
Judge of all Lower Courts
Captain in the Kent County Militia in 1756
Superintendent of the printing of Delaware currency in 1759
Elected in 1762 to serve in the "Assembly of the Lower Three Counties Upon Delaware" and served until 1769
Superintendent of the loan office in 1769
Associate Justice of the Delaware Supreme Court 1769-1777
Member of the Continental Congress from Delaware 1774-1776
Served in the Revolutionary Army as a Brigadier General
Elected by the Delaware General Assembly as the 4th President ( "Governor" ) of Delaware on March 31, 1778 receiving 20 of 24 votes
and served until November 6, 1781
Elected by the Delaware General Assembly to the Continental Congress from Delaware in 1782 and 1783 but did not serve due to health (cancer)
Date and Place of Passing :
June 25, 1784 ~ Dover, Delaware ~ Age 56
" Coolsprings "
Home Of:
Governor Rodney
( Etching: Robert Shaw )
ca. 1890-94 |
Place of Burial :
Byfield Family Plot ~ Dover, Delaware ~ ( exact grave unmarked, unknown )
A monument in his honor was placed at Christ Episcopal Church ~ Dover, Delaware
To view a photo of " Governor Caesar Rodney's " Monument site:
Home's :
Byfield Mansion
( No longer standing ~ Currently part of Dover Air Force Base ...... )
Coolsprings
( No longer standing, site in Wilmington, Delaware )
Poplar Grove
( No longer standing, site in the vicinity of Moore's Lake, Dover, Delaware )
To view a Biography of " Governor Caesar Rodney " written by Russ Pickett :
To view the " Wikipedia article " created from this page's info:
To view a High School in Delaware named in his honor:
"Gov. Rodney's Monument "
( 2003 - Photo by Russ Pickett )
|
| ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Delaware Governor ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ |
 " John Dickinson "
( Official State Portrait ) |
( November 13, 1781 ~ November 4, 1782 )
New Castle County
Age 49 ~ Lawyer, Landowner ~ Quaker ~ Brigadier General
( 1779 )
( Lettering in " Bright Blue " below are weblinks )
Interesting Facts :
" He inherited slaves from his father " ..... " However he freed all his slaves in 1777 prior to holding any office " .....
" 3rd Governor " to be elected to office .....
Received " ONE " negative vote in the Delaware State Senate to become Governor of Delaware ~ " The negative vote was his own ! "
Resigned office to become Governor of Pennsylvania on November 4, 1782 .....
Signer of the U.S. Constitution representing Delaware .....
Was known as the " Penman of the Revolution " for his twelve Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania .....
Wrote the words to the pre-American Revolutionary War song " The Liberty Song "
This song was notable as one of the earliest patriotic songs in the Thirteen Colonies .....
Was given the rank of " Brigadier General " in the Pennsylvania militia that was known as the Associators.
He led 10,000 soldiers to Elizabeth, New Jersey, to protect that area against British attack from Staten Island.
Brother of Delaware's Continental Congressman " Philemon Dickinson "
Date and Place of Birth :
November 13, 1732 ~ On his father's estate, " Crosiadore ", near Trappe, Talbot County, Maryland
Parents :
( Clicking on the family highlighted names " below " show where they are interred ~ many include photos )
Samuel Dickinson ~ ( 1689 - 1760 - Age 70 )
Mary Cadwalader Dickinson ~ ( 1700 - 1776 - Age 75 )
Married : ~ in 1770
Mary " Polly " Norris Dickinson ~ ( 1740 ~ 1803 - Age 63 )
Children:
Sarah " Sally " Norris Dickinson - ( b. December 10, 1771 d. ???? ) ~ never married
Maria Mary Dickinson ~ ( b. November 6, 1783 ~ d. ???? )
Three other children died as infants
Facts about his life :
Moved with his parents in 1740 to Dover, Delaware
Studied under a private teacher; studied law in Philadelphia and at the Middle Temple in London
Admitted to the bar in 1757 and commenced practice in Philadelphia, Pa.
Elected in 1759 to serve in the "Assembly of the Lower Three Counties Upon Delaware" and served until 1760
Served in the Pennsylvania Assembly in 1762 and 1764
Delegate to the Stamp Act Congress in 1765
Member from Pennsylvania to the Continental Congress 1774-1776
Member from Delaware to the Continental Congress 1779
Brigadier General of Pennsylvania Militia
Served in the Delaware State Senate in 1781
Elected by the Delaware General Assembly as the 5th President ( "Governor" ) of Delaware receiving 25 of 26 votes .....
( his vote being the only negative vote )
He served from November 13, 1781 until November 4, 1782 when he resigned to become President (Governor) of Pennsylvania
Returned to Philadelphia and served as President of Pennsylvania 1782 - 1785
Returned to Delaware; was a member of the Federal convention of 1787 which framed the Constitution and was one of the signers from Delaware
Date and Place of Passing :
February 14, 1808 - Wilmington, Delaware - Age 75
Place of Burial :
Quaker Meeting House, Wilmington, Delaware
To view a photo of " Governor John Dickinson's " Burial / Headstone site:
Delaware Homes :
Northwest corner of 8th and Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware
( No longer standing )
Poplar Hall ~ a.k.a. " John Dickinson Plantation ", Kitts Hummock Road, Dover, Delaware
John Dickinson freed all his slaves in 1777 .....
( Open to the Public )
To view a short Biography of " Governor John Dickinson " written by Russ Pickett :
To view the " Wikipedia article " created from this page's info:
To view a High School in Delaware named in his honor:
To view a college in Pennsylvania named in his honor:
" Gov. Dickinson's Grave Site "
|
| ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Delaware Governor ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ |
( November 4, 1782 - February 1, 1783 )
( " Assumed Term of Gov. John Dickinson upon his resignation " )
Kent County
Age 52 ~ Farmer, Landowner ~ Episcopalian
( Lettering in " Bright Blue " below are weblinks )
Interesting Facts :
There is no known portrait of John Cook
He was the Brother - In - Law of Delaware's 8th Governor " Thomas Collins "
He was the Father - In - Law of Delaware's 20th Governor " John Clark "
He was the Great Grandfather of Delaware's 35th U.S. Sentor " Anthony C. Higgins "
Date and Place of Birth :
1730 - Smyrna, Delaware
Parents :
John Cook - ( 1691 - 1774 ? )
Hannah Ward Cook - ( 1691 - 1731 ? )
Married :
Elizabeth Collins Cook - ( 1753 - 1815 )
Sister of Delaware's 8th Governor" Thomas Collins " ~ she was also her husband's 1st cousin.
Children:
Elizabeth Cook Cloak ~ ( 1764 ~ 1847 ~ Married Ebenezer Cloak )
Michael Cook - ( 1766 - 1795 ) Never Married
Robert Cook - ( 1768 - 1820 ) - Married Sarah White Cook
Sarah Cook Clark ~ ( 1769 ~ 1790 ) ~ Married Delaware's 20th Governor " John Clark "
Margaret Cook Peterson - married Israel Peterson
Facts about his life :
Sheriff of Kent County prior to the Revolutionary War
Served in Delaware's 1st General Assembly in the House from 1776-1779
Appointed Associated Justice of the State of Delaware Court in 1777
Served in the Delaware State Senate - 1780-1783 - Speaker of the Senate in 1783
Assumed the office of President ( "Governor" ) on November 4, 1782 due to
being the Speaker of the Senate after
" Governor John Dickinson " resigned and served until February 1, 1783
Military Service: None
Date and Place of Passing :
October 27, 1789 - Smyrna, Delaware - Age 59
Place of Burial :
St. Peters Cemetery, Smyrna, Delaware ( Unmarked Grave )
To view " Governor Cook's " Burial / Headstone site:
Home :
Route 13, across the street and west of " Belmont Hall " ( No Longer Standing )
To view Governor Cook's " Wikipedia article " created from this page's info:
| ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Delaware Governor ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ |
( February 1, 1783 - October 27, 1786 )
New Castle County
Age 44 ~ Lawyer ~ Episcopalian
( 1777 - 1781 )
( All lettering in " Bright Blue " below are weblinks )
Interesting Facts :
" Home of Gov. Van Dyke "
( Amstel House )
|
Signer of the U.S. Articles of Confederation .....
4th Governor to be elected to office .....
Dad of Delaware's 11th U.S. Senator " Nicholas Van Dyke, Jr. " .....
Grand-Dad of Delawar's 15th U.S. Representative " Kensey Johns, Jr. " .....
Date and Place of Birth :
September 25, 1738 - Near Delaware City, Delaware
Parents :
Nicholas Van Dyke - ( 1706 - 1782 )
Rachael Allee Van Dyke - ( 1709 - 1791 ) - originally of Flatbush, Long Island, New York
Married : ~ ( Twice ~ 1st Marriage - 1766 )
Elizabeth Nixon Van Dyke - ( 1745 - 1770 )
Children :
Rachel Van Dyke - ( 1767 - 1767 - Age 8 days )
Nancy Ann Van Dyke Johns - ( 1768 - 1767 ) - married " Kensey Johns, III "
Nicholas Van Dyke, Jr. - ( 1769 - 1826 )
Married Mary Johns - served as a U.S. Senator & Representative ( See His Record ) for Delaware.
Married : ~ ( Twice ~ 2nd Marriage - 1771 )
Charlotte Stanley Van Dyke - ( 1747 - 1807 )
Children:
Kensey Johns Van Dyke ~ ( 1771 - 1823 ) - Married Delia ( _____ ) Van Dyke
Mary Van Dyke ~ ( ???? - 1831 )
Henry Van Dyke ~ Died at sea in the U.S. Navy
Elizabeth Alee Van Dyke - ( 1781-1821 )
Facts about his life :
- Studied law in Philadelphia, Pa.
- Admitted to the bar in 1765 and commenced practice in New Castle County, Delaware
- Delegate to the Delaware State Constitutional Convention in July 1776
- Elected a member of the Council of Delaware in 1777, serving as speaker in 1779
- Appointed Judge of Admiralty February 21, 1777
- Member of the Continental Congress for Delaware - 1777-1781
- Elected by the Delaware General Assembly as the 7th President ( "Governor" ) of Delaware by defeating Delaware's past and 1st Governor :
" John McKinly " and receiving 18 of 30 votes.
Served from February 1, 1783 to October 27, 1786
- Military Service: None
Date and Place of Passing :
February 19, 1789 - Near Delaware City, Delaware - Age 49
Place of Burial :
Immanual Church Cemetery, New Castle, Delaware
To view Governor Van Dyke's " Place of Burial " :
Home :
" Amstel House ", 4th & Delaware Streets, New Castle, Delaware
( Now a museum )
To view Governor Van Dyke's
" Amstel Home's Website " :
To view Governor Van Dyke's " Wikipedia article " created from this page's info:
| ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Delaware Governor ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ |
( October 28, 1786 - March 29, 1789 )
Kent County
Age 53 ~ Lawyer, Landowner ~ Episcopalian
( Lettering in " Bright Blue " below are weblinks )
Interesting Facts :
Gov. Collins'
" Signature "
|
" 1st Governor " to die in Office
Was the " only Governor " to be elected Unanimously
He organized and maintained " at his own expense " a brigade during the Revolutionary War
Was Governor during the ratification of the U.S. Constitution by Delaware in 1787
There is no known portrait of Thomas Collins
" 5th Governor " to be elected to office
A State Office Building currently in use was named in his honor.
It is located at 540 South DuPont Highway (U.S. Route 13) in Dover, Delaware.
Brother-In-Law of Delaware's 6th Governor " John Cook "
Date and Place of Birth :
1732 - Near Smyrna, Delaware
Parents :
William Collins
Married :
Sarah Johnson Collins
Children:
William Thomas Collins - ( 1760 ? - 1821 ) - Became a Doctor
Elizabeth Collins Denny - married a Denny
Mary Collins Barker - ( 1765 - 1795 - Age 30 - Died from Malaria ) - married Joseph Barker
Sarah Collins
Facts about his life :
Served as Sheriff of Kent County in 1764
Member of the Assembly of the Lower Three Counties from 1767-1769, 1772, 1775-1776
Elected to Delaware's 1st General Assembly ( 1776-1781 - Speaker of Senate in 1778 and 1780-1781 )
Judge of the Common Pleas Court in 1782
Elected unanimously by the Delaware General Assembly as the 8th President ( "Governor" ) of Delaware
Served from October 28, 1786 until his passing on March 29, 1789
Military Service: Brigadier General of Kent County Militia during the Revolutionary War
Date and Place of Passing :
March 29, 1789 - Near Smyrna, Delaware - Age 57
Place of Burial :
Collins Family Cemetery
Re-interred: Saint Peter's Cemetery, Smyrna, Delaware - 1970
" Gov. Collins' Home "
( Belmont Hall )
|
To view the Burial Site for Governor Collin's :
Home :
" Belmont Hall ", Route 13, just south of Smyrna, Delaware
( Now a Rental / Conference Center )
To view Governor Collin's " Belmont Hall Home's Website " :
To view a short biography for Governor Collin's :
To view Governor Collins' " Wikipedia article " created from this page's info:
Gov. Collins'
" Grave Site "
( 2004 - Photo by Russ Pickett )
|
| ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Delaware Governor ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ |
( March 29, 1789 - June 2, 1789 )
( " Assumed Term of Gov. Thomas Collins upon his death " )
Kent County
Age 50 ~ Farmer ~ Episcopalian
( October 28, 1776 ~ October 20, 1789 )
( Lettering in " Bright Blue " below are weblinks )
Interesting Facts :
" 1st individual " to assume the office following the death of a Governor .....
" 2nd Speaker of the House " to replace a Governor ( Speaker of the Senate was vacant ) .....
" Governor Davis' Grave " ~ in 1835,
" was paved over by Route 14 west of Milford without removal .....
There is no known portrait of John " Jehu " Davis .....
Date and Place of Birth :
1738 ~ Worcester County, Maryland
Parents :
Thomas Frederick Davis, Jr. ~ ( 1704 - 1749 )
" ( unknown ) _____ Davis
Married ~ ( Twice ~ 1st Marriage in 1763 ) :
Rhoda Laws Davis ~ ( 1742 - 1797 ) - married in Laurel, Delaware
Children:
Isaac Davis ~ ( 1765-1866 ) ~ Judge, Delaware State Senator
and Representative
Sarah Davis Clark ~ ( 1769 - 1790 ) ~ married John Clark
John Davis ~ ( 1775 - ???? ) ~ married Betsy Hill
Henry Davis ~ ( ???? - ???? ) ~ married Lallie Hill
Rhoda Davis Hill ~ ( ???? - ???? ) ~ married Robert Hill
Nancy Davis Hazzard ~ ( ???? - ???? ) ~ married a Hazzard
Joshua Davis ~ ( ???? - ???? ) ~ Died Young
William Davis ~ ( ???? - ???? ) ~ Died Young
Married ~ ( Twice ~ 2nd Marriage - 1798 ) :
Melissa " or " Sarah Douglas
Children:
None
Facts about his life :
Moved from Worcester County, Maryland to Laurel, Delaware
Moved to a farm about 3 miles west of Milford, Delaware after marriage
Served in the Local Militia during Revolutionary War ~ ( rank unknown )
Served in the Delaware House of Representatives ~ ( 1776 ~ 1789 )
Justice of the Peace ~ ( 1777 ~ 1791 )
Speaker of the Delaware House of Representatives in 1789
Assumed the office of President ( " Governor " ) of Delaware after the passing of
" Governor Thomas Collins " and due to there being no Speaker of the Senate at that time
Court of Common Pleas Judge ~ ( 1789 ~ 1792 )
Justice of the Peace ~ ( 1793 until his passing )
Date and Place of Passing :
1802 ~ Near Milford, Delaware ~ Age 63
Place of Burial :
Savannah ( aka. Christ's ) Church west of Milford, Delaware
Cemetery has been " paved over " by " Route 14 " west of Milford, Delaware "
To view the Burial Site for Governor Davis :
Home :
" McSparren " ~ 3 miles west of Milford, Delaware
( No longer standing - exact site unknown )
To view Governor Davis' " Wikipedia article " created from this page's info:
| ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Delaware Governor ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ |
" Joshua Clayton "
( Official State Portrait ) |
Delaware President
( June 2, 1789 ~ January 15, 1793 ~ 1st Term )
Delaware Governor
( January 15, 1793 ~ January 19, 1796 ~ 2nd Term )
New Castle County
Federalist ~ Age 44 ~ Physician ~ Methodist ~ Colonel
( January 19, 1798 - August 11, 1798 )
" Delaware's 5th U.S. Senator "
( Lettering in " Bright Blue " below are weblinks )
Interesting Facts :
Delaware's first " State House " was completed in 1791 on the old green in Dover during his 1st term as President ( Governor ) .....
Dad of Delaware's U.S. Senator & Representative ~ " Thomas Clayton "
" Delaware's First "
State House |
Uncle of Delaware's U.S. Senator ~ " John Middleton Clayton "
" Last individual " to have the title " President ".
" Last individual " to be elected by the Delaware General Assembly.
During his 1st term the new State Constitution adopted in 1792 noted that the office of the Governor would be
" elected by the people " and would serve a " 3 year Term ".
" 1st individual " to have the Title " Governor ".
" 1st Governor " elected by popular vote.
6th & 7th Governor to be elected to office.
1790 census released showing 59,096 Delaware residents.
" Only Governor " to be interred 3 times.
During the Revolutionary War he served as major in the Bohemia battalion of the Maryland Line
and was also an aide on the staff of General George Washington at the Battle of the Brandywine as a Colonel
Date and Place of Birth :
July 20, 1744 ~ Bohemia Manor ~ Cecil County, Maryland
Parents :
( Clicking on the family highlighted names " below " show where they are interred ~ many include photos )
James Clayton - ( 1692 - 1762 )
Eleanor Edinfield Clayton - ( 1720 - 1771 )
Married :
Rachel " McCleary - Bassett " Clayton ~ ( 1751 ~ 1821 )
Adopted daughter of Delaware's 13th Governor " Richard Bassett "
Children :
James Lawson Clayton ~ ( 1769 ~ 1833 ) ~ Was a Doctor ~ Married Elizabeth Polk Clayton
Richard Clayton ~ ( 1774 ~ 1836 )
Thomas Clayton ~ ( 1777 ~ 1854 ) ~ Served as Delaware's ~ " U.S. Senator & Congressman " ~ Married Jennette Macomb Clayton.
Several Daughters ~ all died young
Facts about his life :
Studied medicine in Philadelphia and practiced in Middletown, Delaware
Delegate to the Provincial Congress 1782-1784
Served in the Delaware State House of Representatives 1785, and 1787
Elected Delaware State treasurer in 1786
Elected by the " Delaware General Assembly " as the 9th President ( "Governor" ) of Delaware
and served from June 2, 1789 ~ January 15, 1793 .....
Elected by " Popular Vote " as the 10th Governor of Delaware
and served from January 15, 1793 ~ January 19, 1796 .....
Elected by the " Delaware General Assembly " to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of :
" John Vining "
and served from January 19, 1798, until his passing .....
Date and Place of Passing :
August 11, 1798 - Philadelphia, Pa. - Age 54
Place of Burial :
( 1st ) at his home " Locust Grove "
( 2nd ) ~ Re-interred in the Bethel Cemetery, Cheasapeake City, Maryland.
( 3rd ) ~ Re-interred farther back in the Bethel Cemetery, Cheasapeake City, Maryland due to the canal widening
To view the Burial Site for " Governor Clayton "
" Governor Clayton " also have a " Cenotaph " in the Old Presbyterian Cemetery in Dover, Delaware - for that record :
Home :
" Locust Grove ", West of Mt. Pleasant, Delaware
( now known as the Dickey Farm )
To view a short Biography for " Governor Clayton " written by Russ Pickett
To view Governor Clayton's " Wikipedia article " created from this page's info:
" Delaware Statewide Election Results "
( winner marked in " Red " / * = incumbant )
| Year |
Election
Type |
Office |
Name |
Party |
Votes |
Percent
Of Votes |
Opponent |
Party |
Votes |
Percent
Of Votes |
| 1792 |
General |
Governor |
Joshua
Clayton * |
Federalist |
2,209 |
48 % |
Thomas
Montgomery |
Republican |
1,902 |
42 % |
" The reason for the percentages not being equal in 1792 "
is due to there being others who were also running for that office .....
" Only the top two candidate's percentages are displayed ! " |
" Joshua Clayton "
( Drawing of later years )
|
" Gov. Clayton's Grave Site "
( 2003 - Photo by Russ Pickett )
|
| ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Delaware Governor ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ |
" Gunning Bedford, Sr. " |
( January 19, 1796 ~ September 28, 1797 )
New Castle County
Federalist ~ Age 53 ~ Merchant, Lawyer ~ Episcopalian
( October 20, 1783 ~ October 21, 1787 )
( Lettering in " Bright Blue " below are weblinks )
Interesting Facts :
" 2nd Governor " to pass away while in Office .....
He used the title of " Sr. " after his name so that others would not confuse him with his cousin, Gunning Bedford, Jr.
Was a ratifier of the U.S. Constitution for Delaware in 1787
8th Governor to be elected to office
Date and Place of Birth :
April 7, 1742 - New Castle County, Delaware
Parents :
( Clicking on the family highlighted names " below " show where they are interred ~ many include photos )
William Bedford ~ ( 1712 - 1788 )
Catherine Jacquett Bedford ~ ( 1714 - ???? )
Married :
Mary Read Bedford - Married in 1769
Sister of Delaware's 3rd Governor " George Read, Sr. "
Children:
None
Facts about his life :
Major in the Continental Army in 1775
Lieutenant Colonel in Haslet’s Regiment in 1776
" Wounded " in the " Battle of White Plains " ; subsequently appointed muster-master-general in 1776
Admitted to the Delaware bar in 1779
Served in the Delaware General Assembly from New Castle County 1783 - 1787
Elected a Member of the Continental Congress for the term 1786-1787 but declined to serve and resigned January 15, 1787
Member of the Delaware convention in 1787 which ratified the Federal Constitution
Elected as the 11th Governor of Delaware by defeating :
" Dr. Archibald Alexander " and received 67% of the vote.
Served from January 19, 1796 until he passed away on September 28, 1797 .....
Date and Place of his Passing :
September 28, 1797 ~ New Castle, Delaware ~ Age 55
Place of Burial :
Immanual Church Cemetery ~ New Castle, Delaware
To view the Burial Site for " Governor Bedford "
Home :
#6 the Strand, New Castle, Delaware ~ ( Orginal no longer standing )
To view a short Biography for " Governor Bedford " written by Russ Pickett
To view Governor Bedford's " Wikipedia article " created from this page's info:
" Delaware Statewide Election Results "
( winner marked in " Red " / * = incumbant )
| Year |
Election
Type |
Office |
Name |
Party |
Votes |
Percent
Of Votes |
Opponent |
Party |
Votes |
Percent
Of Votes |
| 1795 |
General |
Governor |
Gunning
Bedford, Sr. |
Federalist |
2,352 |
52 % |
Dr. Archibald
Alexander |
Republican |
2,142 |
44 % |
" The reason for the percentages not being equal in 1795 "
is due to there being others who were also running for that office .....
" Only the top two candidate's percentages are displayed ! " |
| ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Delaware Governor ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ |
( September 28, 1797 - January 15, 1799 )
( " Assumed Term of Gov. Gunning Bedford, Sr. upon his passing " )
Sussex County
Federalist ~ Age 43 ~ Miller, Landowner ~ Episcopalian
Interesting Facts :
" Gov. Roger's Home "
( Causey Mansion )
( 2003 - Photo by Russ Pickett )
|
Assumed Term of Gov. Gunning Bedford, Sr. upon his passing since he was the " Speaker Of The House ".
" 2nd individual " to assume the office of Governor.
" 2nd Speaker of the House " to replace a Governor.
" 1st individual " to assume the office of Governor upon the death of a preceding Governor.
" 1st individual " from Sussex County to serve as Governor
" Only Governor " to be born in Virginia
Date and Place of Birth :
January 3, 1754 ~ Pungoteague, Virginia
Parents :
( Clicking on the family highlighted names " below " show where they are interred ~ many include photos )
James Rogers ~ ( 1722 - 1770 )
Patience Rowles Rogers ~ ( 1730- 1795 )
Married : ~ ( Twice ~ 1st Marriage ) ~ Married on July 20, 1778
Esther O. Nutter Rogers ~ ( 1748 ~ 1789 )
~ Widow of Moulton Crapper ~ Died during childbirth of son Daniel
Their Children :
Married : ~ ( Twice ~ 2nd Marriage ) ~ Married in 1790
Nancy Russum Rogers
Their Children :
John Rogers ~ ( 1790 ~ 1833 )
Samuel Rogers ~ ( 1792 ~ 1794 )
Clement Rogers ~ ( 1795 ~ ???? )
Hannah Rogers Booth ~ ( 1797 ~ 1857 ) - Married James Booth Jr.
William Rogers ~ ( 1799 ~ ???? )
Mary Rogers ~ ( 1802 ~ 1885 )
Henry Rogers ~ ( 1804 ~ ???? )
Facts about his Life :
Served in the Delaware State House of Representatives in 1791
Served in the Delaware State Senate from 1792-1797 and was Speaker of the Senate all 6 years
Assumed the office of Governor by being the Speaker of the Senate upon the death of :
" Governor Gunning Bedford, Sr. " and served from September 28, 1797 until January 15, 1799
Served in the Delaware State Senate from 1801 until his death on February 2, 1806 and was Speaker of the Senate all 6 years
Military Service: None
Date of his Passing :
February 2, 1806 ~ Milford, Delaware ~ Age 52
Place of Burial :
Old Milford Community Cemetery ~ Milford, Delaware
( use to be the Odd Fellows Cemetery ~ Milford, Delaware )
To view the Burial Site for " Governor Rogers' "
Home :
" Causey Mansion "
Milford, Delaware
Currently a " Bed & Breakfast " ~ ( 2024 )
( Later the home of Delaware's 38th Governor " Peter Causey " )
To view Governor Rogers' " Wikipedia article " created from this page's info:
| ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Delaware Governor ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ |
|
( Official State Portrait )
|
( January 15, 1799 - February 20, 1801 )
Kent County
Federalist ~ Age 53 ~ Lawyer ~ Landowner ~ Methodist
( March 4, 1789 - March 3, 1793 )
( State Senate: 1782 ~ State House: 1786 )
( Lettering in " Bright Blue " below are weblinks )
Interesting Facts:
Was a ratifier of the U.S. Constitution for Delaware in 1787 .....
9th Governor to be elected to office .....
" 2nd Governor " to resign as the Governor of Delaware due to below appointment .....
Appointed United States Circuit Judge by " U.S. President John Adams " in 1801 .....
" 1st United States Senator " from Delaware .....
Father - in - Law of Delaware's 8th U.S. Senator ~ " James A. Bayard, Sr. "
GrandDad of Delaware's 25th U.S. Senator ~ " James A. Bayard, Jr. "
GrandDad of Delaware's 19th U.S. Senator ~ " Richard H. Bayard "
Great - GrandDad of Delaware's 32nd U.S. Senator ~ ~ " Thomas F. Bayard, Sr. "
Great - Great GrandDad of Delaware's 45th U.S. Senator ~ ~ " Thomas F. Bayard, Jr. "
Great - Great - Great GrandDad of Delaware's 13th Lieutenant Governor ~ " Alexis Irene du Pont Bayard "
Date and Place of Birth :
April 2, 1745 ~ Bohemia Ferry, Maryland.
Parents :
( Clicking on the family highlighted names " below " show where they are interred ~ many include photos )
Arnold Bassett
Judith Thompson Bassett
Adopted by Richard Bassett :
Rachel " McCleary " Clayton ~ ( 1751 ~ 1821 ) ~ Married Delaware's 10th Governor Joshua Clayton .....
Adopted daughter of " Richard Bassett "
Married : ~ ( Twice ~ 1st Marriage ) ~ in 1774 ~ later divorced )
Ann Ennalls Bassett
Children:
Richard Ennalls Bassett ~ ( 1775 ~ 1776 )
Ann " Nancy " Bassett Bayard ~ ( 1777 ~ 1854 ) ~ married Delaware's U.S. Senator " James A. Bayard, Sr. "
Mary Bassett ~ ( ???? ~ 1807 )
Married : ~ ( Twice ~ 2nd Marriage )
Betsy Garnett Bassett
Children:
None
Facts about his life :
When he was very young his father abandoned the family ... His mother passed away soon after ...
and he was adopted by a relative named Peter Lawson ... Peter owned Bohemia Manor which Richard inherited.
Pursued preparatory studies; studied law
Admitted to the Delaware bar and practiced in Delaware
Captain of the Dover Light House Militia during the Revolutionary War in 1777 (Served in the New Jersey campaign)
Member of the State Constitutional Conventions in 1776 and 1792
Served in the Delaware State Senate 1782
Served in the Delaware State House of Representatives 1786
Delegate to the convention which framed the Constitution of the United States in 1787
Member of the Delaware convention which ratified the Federal Constitution in 1787
Elected by the Delaware General Assembly to the United States Senate as Delaware's First U.S. Senator
Served from March 4, 1789 to March 3, 1793
Chief Justice of the Delaware Court of Common Pleas 1793-1799
Elected Delaware's 13th Governor by defeating Delaware's future 15th Governor :
" David Hall " receiving 2490 of 4743 votes .....
Served from January 15, 1799 until February 20, 1801 when he resigned
Appointed United States Circuit Judge by " U.S. President John Adams " in 1801 causing him to resign as Delaware's Governor
Date and Place of Passing :
August 15, 1815 - on his estate, " Bohemia Manor " in Cecil County, Maryland. - Age 70
Place of Burial :
He was 1st interred at Bohemia Manor
He was last re-interred in the Wilmington & Brandywine Cemetery, Wilmington, Delaware
To view Governor Bassett's place of burial:
Homes :
1st ~ " Bohemia Manor ", West of Mt. Pleasant, Delaware ( No longer standing )
2nd ~ Southeast corner of 3rd & French Streets, Wilmington, Delaware ( No longer standing )
3rd ~ #32 the Green, Dover, Delaware
4th ~ " Bohemia Manor "
To view a short biography of Governor Bassett written by Russ Pickett :
To view Governor Bassett's " Wikipedia Article ":
To view " Richard Bassett's " U.S. Congressional Biographical Page:
" Delaware Statewide Election Results "
( winner marked in " Red " / * = incumbant )
| Year |
Election
Type |
Office |
Name |
Party |
Votes |
Percent
Of Votes |
Opponent |
Party |
Votes |
Percent
Of Votes |
| 1798 |
General |
Governor |
Richard
Bassett |
Federalist |
2,490 |
52.5 % |
David
Hall |
Republican |
2,068 |
43.6 % |
" The reason for the percentages not being equal in 1798 "
is due to there being others who were also running for that office .....
" Only the top two candidate's percentages are displayed ! " |
" Gov. Bassett's Grave Site "
|
Email any questions or comments to:
Russ Pickett
( russpickde@comcast.net )
| 
