Gunning Bedford, Sr.
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This article is about the former Governor of Delaware, for other persons with the same name, see Gunning Bedford (disambiguation).
| Gunning Bedford, Sr. | |
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| Governor of Delaware | |
|---|---|
| Born | April 7, 1742 New Castle County, Delaware |
| Died | September 28, 1797 New Castle, Delaware |
| Residence | New Castle, Delaware |
| Political party | Federalist |
| Religion | Episcopalian |
| Spouse | Mary Read |
Gunning Bedford, Sr. (April 7, 1742 – September 28, 1797) was an American lawyer and politician from New Castle, in New Castle County, Delaware. He was an officer in the Continental Army during the American Revolution, and was a member of the Federalist Party, who served in the Delaware General Assembly and as Governor of Delaware. He is often confused with his cousin, Gunning Bedford, Jr., who was a delegate to the U.S. Constitutional Convention of 1787.
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[edit] Early life and family
Bedford was born April 7, 1742 on a farm in New Castle Hundred, New Castle County, Delaware, near the town of New Castle, the son of William & Catherine Jacquett Bedford. William Bedford was the grandson of another William Bedford who came to Delaware from Virginia around 1680, and who himself was the grandson of an English immigrant to Jamestown, Virginia in 1621. Gunning Bedford was educated at the Academy of Pennsylvania and married Mary Read, the daughter of George Read in 1769. They had no children. They lived at 6 The Strand in New Castle and were members of Immanuel Episcopal Church. He began his career as a merchant at New Castle.
[edit] American Revolution
Bedford was a lieutenant of the New Castle County militia in the French and Indian War, and in 1776 was Lieutenant Colonel in the 1st Delaware Regiment, under Colonel John Haslet in the American Revolution. Although Haslet and Bedford were that day attending a court martial, this unit distinguished itself at the Battle of Long Island and again at the Battle of White Plains where Bedford was wounded. On June 18, 1776, he was appointed muster-master-general. With the expiration of his enlistment, perhaps nursing his wound, Bedford returned home, studied law, and was admitted to the Bar in 1779.
[edit] Political career
Bedford was elected to four terms in the House of Assembly or State House beginning with the 1783/84 session and serving through the 1786/87 session. After being elected a delegate to the U.S. Congress under the Articles of Confederation in 1786/87, from which he resigned January 15, 1787, he was elected to a term in the Legislative Council or State Senate beginning with the 1788/89 session. In October 1795 he was the Federalist candidate for Governor, defeating Dr. Archibald Alexander, a retired army surgeon. He served as Governor from January 19, 1796 until his death on September 28, 1797.
[edit] Death and legacy
Bedford died September 28, 1797 at New Castle, Delaware and was buried at the Immanuel Episcopal Church Cemetery, New Castle. He was the second Governor of Delaware to die in office.
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by: Joshua Clayton |
Governor of Delaware January 19, 1796 – September 28, 1797 |
Succeeded by: Daniel Rogers |
[edit] Public offices
Elections were held October 1st and members of the General Assembly took office on October 20th, or the following weekday. Legislative Councilmen had a three year term and Assemblymen had a one year term.
Beginning in 1792, elections were moved to the first Tuesday of October and members of the General Assembly took office on the first Tuesday of January. Also in 1792 the Legislative Council was renamed the State Senate and the House of Assembly, the State House. The State President became the Governor, was popularly elected, and took office the third Tuesday in January.
| Office | Type | Location | Elected | Took Office | Left Office | notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assemblyman | Legislature | Dover | 1783 | October 20, 1783 | October 20, 1784 | |
| Assemblyman | Legislature | Dover | 1784 | October 20, 1784 | October 20, 1785 | |
| Assemblyman | Legislature | Dover | 1785 | October 20, 1785 | October 21, 1786 | |
| Assemblyman | Legislature | Dover | 1786 | October 20, 1786 | October 21, 1787 | |
| Councilman | Legislature | Dover | 1788 | October 20, 1789 | October 26, 1792 | |
| Governor | Executive | Dover | 1795 | January 19, 1796 | September 28, 1797 |
[edit] Election results
| Year | Office | Subject | Party | Votes | % | Opponent | Party | Votes | % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1795 | Governor | Gunning Bedford, Sr. | Federalist | 2,352 | 67% | Archibald Alexander | Democratic-Republican | 1,142 | 33% |
[edit] References
- Rodney, Richard S. (1975). Collected Essays on Early Delaware. Wilmington, Delaware: Society of Colonial Wars in the State of Delaware.
- Ward, Christopher L. (1941). Delaware Continentals, 1776-1783. Wilmington, DE: Historical Society of Delaware. ISBN 0-924117-21-4.
- Hoffecker, Carol E. (2004). Democracy in Delaware. Wilmington, Delaware: Cedar Tree Books. ISBN 1-892142-23-6.
- Munroe, John A. (1954). Federalist Delaware 1775-1815. New Brunswick, New Jersey: Rutgers University.
- Wilson, Emerson. (1969). Forgotten Heroes of Delaware. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Deltos Publishing Company.
- Munroe, John A. (1993). History of Delaware. Newark, Delaware: University of Delaware Press. ISBN 0-87413-493-5.
- Scharf, John Thomas (1888). History of Delaware 1609-1888. 2 vols.. Philadelphia: L. J. Richards & Co..
- Martin, Roger A. (1984). History of Delaware Through its Governors. Wilmington, Delaware: McClafferty Press.
- Conrad, Henry C. (1908). History of the State of Delaware. Lancaster, Pennsylvania: Wickersham Company.
- Martin, Roger A. (1995). Memoirs of the Senate. Newark, DE: Roger A. Martin.
- Munroe, John A. (2004). Philadelawareans. Newark, Delaware: University of Delaware Press. ISBN 0-87413-872-8.
[edit] External links
- Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789-1978 [1]
- Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress [2]
- Delaware’s Governors [3]
- Find a Grave [4]
- Political Graveyard [5]
[edit] Places with more information
- Historical Society of Delaware [6] 505 Market St., Wilmington, Delaware (302) 655-7161
- University of Delaware Library [7] 181 South College Ave., Newark, Delaware (302) 831-2965
