Jehu Davis
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| John "Jehu" Davis | |
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| March 29, 1789 – June 2, 1789 | |
| Preceded by | Thomas Collins |
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| Succeeded by | Joshua Clayton |
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| Born | 1738 Worcester County, Maryland |
| Died | May 11, 1802 Kent County, Delaware |
| Residence | Kent County, Delaware |
| Spouse | Rhoda Laws Sarah Douglas |
| Profession | farmer |
| Religion | Episcopalian |
John "Jehu" Davis (1738 – May 11, 1802) was an American farmer and politician from Mispillion Hundred, in Kent County, Delaware, west of Milford. He served in the Delaware General Assembly and as Acting President of Delaware.
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[edit] Early life and family
Davis was born in 1738 in Worcester County, Maryland, son of Thomas Davis. His paternal grandfather was born in Wales. Jehu Davis came to Laurel, Delaware, married Rhoda Laws, and had eight children, Isaac, John, Henry, Sarah, Rhoda, Nancy, Joshua, and William. After their marriage they bought McSparren, a farm in Mispillion Hundred, Kent County, Delaware, 3 miles west of Milford, where they settled permanently. After Rhoda's death, Davis married Sarah Douglas and they had no children. They were members of Christ Episcopal Church in Milford, Delaware. That portion of Mispillion Hundred became Milford Hundred in 1830.
[edit] Political career
Davis was a member of the local militia during the American Revolution and was a Justice of the Peace for 14 years beginning in 1777. He was elected to the 1st State House, or House of Assembly, and served ten terms from the 1776/77 session through the 1779/80 session, again in the 1782/83 and 1783/84 sessions, and finally from the 1786/87 session through the 1789/90 session. He was the Speaker in the 1788/89 session and when President Thomas Collins died in office on March 29, 1789, the Speaker's office in the State Senate, or Legislative Council, was vacant. Consequently, Davis became President. He served until June 2, 1789, when the Delaware General Assembly held a special vote to choose Collins' replacement.
During Davis' short term George Washington was inaugurated the first President of the United States. The event of his passing through Wilmington on the way to New York for this ceremony caused a great deal of excitement, as described by Elizabeth Montgomery in her Reminiscences of Wilmington:
- "and it must have been soon after his elevation to that office, for I well remember the crowds of people rushing onto the Baltimore Road (now Maryland Avenue) to catch a glimpse as he passed...It was a day of great enjoyment, all was on tiptoe of expectation when his chariot appeared, driving slowly through the crowd, he bowing, hat in hand, and white handkerchief waving, and every face flushed, and sparkling with joy."
Afterwards, Davis served as a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas from 1789 until 1792 and as a Justice of the Peace from 1793 until his death.
[edit] Death and legacy
Davis died May 11, 1802 at McSparren, in Mispillion Hundred, Kent County, Delaware, and was buried in the Christ (Savannah) Episcopal Church Cemetery in Mispillion Hundred, Kent County. The cemetery is now paved over by Delaware Route 14.
No known portrait of Jehu Davis exists.
[edit] Public offices
Elections were held October 1st and members of the General Assembly took office on October 20th, or the following weekday. 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 |
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| Assemblyman | Legislature | New Castle | 1776 | October 28, 1776 | October 20, 1777 | |
| Assemblyman | Legislature | Dover | 1777 | October 20, 1777 | October 20, 1778 | |
| Assemblyman | Legislature | Dover | 1778 | October 20, 1778 | October 20, 1779 | |
| Assemblyman | Legislature | Dover | 1779 | October 20, 1779 | October 20, 1780 | |
| Assemblyman | Legislature | Dover | 1782 | October 21, 1782 | October 20, 1783 | |
| Assemblyman | Legislature | Dover | 1783 | October 20, 1783 | October 21, 1784 | |
| Assemblyman | Legislature | Dover | 1786 | October 20, 1786 | October 21, 1787 | |
| Assemblyman | Legislature | Dover | 1787 | October 20, 1787 | October 26, 1788 | |
| Assemblyman | Legislature | Dover | 1788 | October 20, 1788 | October 20, 1789 | Speaker |
| State President | Executive | Dover | March 29, 1789 | June 2, 1789 | Acting | |
| Assemblyman | Legislature | Dover | 1789 | October 20, 1789 | October 20, 1790 |
[edit] References
- Racino, John W. (1980). Biographical Directory 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.
- Munroe, John A. (1954). Federalist Delaware 1775-1815. New Brunswick, New Jersey: Rutgers University.
- 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.
[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
