George Truitt
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| George Truitt | |
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| January 19, 1808 – January 15, 1811 | |
| Preceded by | Nathaniel Mitchell |
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| Succeeded by | Joseph Haslet |
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| Born | 1756 Kent County, Delaware |
| Died | October 8, 1818 Kent County, Delaware |
| Residence | Kent County, Delaware |
| Political party | Federalist |
| Spouse | Margaret (Mary) Hodgson |
| Profession | farmer |
| Religion | Methodist |
George Truitt (1756 – October 8, 1818) was an American farmer and politician from Murderkill Hundred, in Kent County, Delaware, near Felton. He was a member of the Federalist Party, who served in the Delaware General Assembly and as Governor of Delaware.
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[edit] Early life and family
Truitt was born in 1756 in Murderkill Hundred, Kent County, Delaware, near Felton. The names of his parents are not known, but he was certainly a descendent of a George Truitt who settled in Accomack County, Virginia in the 17th century. He married Margaret "Mary" Hodgson and they had one child, Sarah. Their farm and primary residence was later known as Frazier Farm and is located east of Felton on the Canterbury Road, now State Route 15. They also had a home at 12 South Main Street in Camden. They were members of the Methodist Church.
[edit] Political career
He began his political career as a delegate to the state convention which ratified the United States Constitution of 1787. He then served five years in the State House from the 1788/89 session through the 1791/92 session and again in the 1794 session. He then served most of two terms in the State Senate, from the 1803 session through the 1807 session. In 1807 he was elected Governor of Delaware, defeating Joseph Haslet the Democratic-Republican Party candidate. Truitt took office January 19, 1808 and served until January 15, 1811.
Like other Governors, Truitt was concerned about issues like slavery, penal reform, and public education. A new issue arose during his term, however. Due to increasing tensions with Great Britain, the U.S. government had directed Delaware to create and equip a militia of 1300 men. The General Assembly, in turn requested Federal fortification of Wilmington, New Castle, Port Penn, Reedy Island, and Lewes.
[edit] Death and legacy
Truit died October 8, 1818 at his farm in Murderkill Hundred, Kent County, Delaware, near Felton and was buried there. In 1903 he was reburied at Barratt's Chapel Cemetery at Frederica.
No known portrait of George Truitt exists.
[edit] Public offices
Elections were held the first Tuesday of October. Members of the Delaware General Assembly took office the first Tuesday of January. State Senators had a three year term and State Representatives had a one year term. The Governor takes office the third Tuesday of January and had a three year term.
Prior to 1792, elections were held October 1st and members of the General Assembly took office on October 20th. Also in 1792 the Legislative Council was renamed the State Senate and the House of Assembly, the State House.
| Office | Type | Location | Elected | Took Office | Left Office | notes |
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| Delegate | Convention | Dover | 1787 | December 7, 1787 | Ratification | |
| Assemblyman | Legislature | Dover | 1788 | October 20, 1788 | October 20, 1789 | |
| Assemblyman | Legislature | Dover | 1789 | October 20, 1789 | October 20, 1790 | |
| Assemblyman | Legislature | Dover | 1790 | October 20, 1790 | October 20, 1791 | |
| Assemblyman | Legislature | Dover | 1791 | October 20, 1791 | October 20, 1792 | |
| State Representative | Legislature | Dover | 1793 | January 7, 1794 | January 6, 1795 | |
| State Senator | Legislature | Dover | 1802 | January 4, 1803 | January 7, 1806 | |
| State Senator | Legislature | Dover | 1805 | January 7, 1806 | January 19, 1808 | |
| Governor | Executive | Dover | 1807 | January 19, 1808 | January 15, 1811 |
[edit] Election results
| Year | Office | Subject | Party | Votes | % | Opponent | Party | Votes | % | ||
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| 1807 | Governor | George Truitt | Federalist | 3,309 | 52% | Joseph Haslet | Democratic-Republican | 3,062 | 48% |
[edit] References
- Sobel, Robert; J. Racino (1988). Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States 1789-1978. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press. ISBN 0-930466-00-4.
- Wilson, Emerson. (1969). Forgotten Heroes of Delaware. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Deltos Publishing Company.
- Scharf, John Thomas (1888). History of Delaware 1609-1888. 2 vols.. Philadelphia: L. J. Richards & Co.. ISBN 0-87413-493-5.
- Conrad, Henry C. (1908). History of the State of Delaware. Lancaster, Pennsylvania: Wickersham Company.
- Martin, Roger A. (1984). A History of Delaware Through its Governors. Wilmington, Delaware: McClafferty Press.
- Martin, Roger A. (1995). Memoirs of the Senate. Newark, Delaware: Roger A. Martin.
[edit] External links
- Delaware’s Governors [1]
- Find a Grave [2]
- History of Delaware 1609-1888 [3]
- National Governors Association [4]
- The Political Graveyard [5]
- Barratt's Chapel state marker [6]
- Camden state marker [7]
- Ratification of the Constitution by the State of Delaware; December 7, 1787 [8]
[edit] Places with more information
- Historical Society of Delaware [9] 505 Market St., Wilmington, Delaware (302) 655-7161
- University of Delaware Library [10] 181 South College Ave., Newark, Delaware (302) 831-2965
- Barrat's Chapel Cemetery, 6416 Bay Road, Frederica, Delaware (302) 335-5544.
