Thomas Collins (governor)
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| Thomas Collins | |
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| President of Delaware | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1732 Smyrna, Delaware |
| Died | March 29, 1789 Smyrna, Delaware |
| Residence | Smyrna, Delaware |
| Religion | Episcopalian |
| Spouse | Sarah |
Thomas Collins (1732 – March 29, 1789) was an American lawyer and politician from Smyrna, in Kent County, Delaware. He served in the Delaware General Assembly and as President of Delaware.
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[edit] Early life and family
Collins was born in 1732 in Duck Creek, now Smyrna, Delaware, married Sarah, and had four children, William, Elizabeth, Mary, and Sarah. His sister was the wife of former Governor John Cook. Collins was trained in the law, but never practiced, and must have had considerable wealth available to him as he purchased several large tracts of land in the Duck Creek area early in life. They lived first at Gloster on the south side of Dawson's Branch and after 1771 at Belmont Hall now on U.S. Highway 13, south of Smyrna. They were members of St. Peter's Episcopal Church.
[edit] American Revolution
Collins began his military career during the American Revolution as Lieutenant Colonel in Caesar Rodney's Upper Kent militia and within a year was a Brigadier General of the Delaware Militia. Collins served with General George Washington in New Jersey in 1777, but returned home to contend with loyalist uprisings in Sussex County. He was probably involved in the efforts to block General William Howe on his march from the Elk River, but there is no evidence that he was at the actual Battle of Brandywine.
[edit] Political career
Collins served as Sheriff of Kent County in 1764, and was a member of the Colonial Assembly in five of the nine annual sessions during the period beginning with the 1767/68 session, and running through the 1775/76 session. He was a member of the Delaware Constitutional Convention of 1776 and was elected to two terms in the Legislative Council beginning with the 1776/77 session and continuing through the 1782/83 session, serving as the Speaker in the 1778/79 session and in the 1781/82 session. In 1782 he became a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas. The Delaware General Assembly unanimously elected him State President in 1786 and he served from October 28, 1786 until his death on March 29, 1789. It was during his term of office that Delaware became the first state to ratify the U.S. Constitution on December 7, 1787.
[edit] Death and legacy
Collins died March 29, 1789 in Duck Creek, now Smyrna, Delaware. He was buried in the Collins Family Cemetery, but his remains were later moved to the St. Peter's Episcopal Church Cemetery in Smyrna. He was the first State President to die in office.
The Thomas Collins state office building on U.S. Highway 13 in Dover, Delaware is named in his honor.
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Nicholas Van Dyke |
President of Delaware October 28, 1786 – March 29, 1789 |
Succeeded by Jehu Davis |
[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. The General Assembly chose the State President for a term of three years.
| Office | Type | Location | Elected | Took Office | Left Office | notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sheriff | Judiciary | Dover | 1764 | 1767 | Kent County | |
| Assemblyman | Legislature | New Castle | 1767 | October 20, 1767 | October 21, 1768 | |
| Assemblyman | Legislature | New Castle | 1768 | October 21, 1768 | October 20, 1769 | |
| Assemblyman | Legislature | New Castle | 1769 | October 21, 1769 | October 20, 1770 | |
| Assemblyman | Legislature | New Castle | 1772 | October 21, 1772 | October 20, 1773 | |
| Assemblyman | Legislature | New Castle | 1775 | October 21, 1775 | June 15, 1776 | |
| Delegate | Convention | Dover | 1776 | August 27, 1776 | September 20, 1776 | State Constitution |
| Councilman | Legislature | New Castle | 1776 | October 20, 1776 | October 20, 1779 | Speaker |
| Councilman | Legislature | Dover | 1778 | October 20, 1778 | October 20, 1781 | Speaker |
| Judge | Judiciary | Dover | 1782 | 1786 | Court of Common Pleas | |
| State President | Executive | Dover | October 28, 1786 | March 29, 1789 |
[edit] References
- Racino, John W. (1980). Biographical Dictionary of American and Revolutionary Governors 1607-1789. Westport, CT: Meckler Books. ISBN 0-930466-00-4.
- 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.
- Scott, Jane Harrington (2000). Gentleman as Well as a Whig. Newark, DE: University of Delaware Press. ISBN 0-87413-700-4.
- 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.
- Hancock, Harold B. (1977). Loyalists of Revolutionary Delaware. Newark.
- 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] Images
- Hall of Governors Portrait Gallery [1] Portrait courtesy of Historical and Cultural Affairs, Dover.
[edit] External links
[edit] Places with more information
- Historical Society of Delaware [4] 505 Market St., Wilmington, Delaware (302) 655-7161
- University of Delaware Library [5] 181 South College Ave., Newark, Delaware (302) 831-2965
