Joseph Maull

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Joseph Maull
Joseph Maull

March 2, 1846 – May 3, 1846
Preceded by Thomas Stockton
Succeeded by William Temple

Born September 6, 1781
Lewes, Delaware
Died May 3, 1846
Lewes, Delaware
Residence Milton, Delaware
Political party Federalist
Whig
Spouse Penelope Shields
Sarah Davis Watson
Profession physician
Religion Episcopalian

Dr. Joseph Maull (September 6, 1781May 3, 1846) was an American physician and politician from Lewes, in Sussex County, Delaware. He was a veteran of the War of 1812, and a member of the Federalist Party, and later the Whig Party, who served in the Delaware General Assembly and as Acting Governor of Delaware.

Contents

[edit] Early Life and Family

Maull was born September 6, 1781 at Pilottown, near Lewes, Delaware, son of John and Mary Marsh Maull. His father was a shipwright who ran arms from the West Indies during the American Revolution. He died, so the story goes, when a ship's mast fell on him. During the American Revolution, Joseph Maull had an uncle, Nathaniel, who piloted ships for the American Committee of Safety, and another, James, who scouted the Delaware Bay for the British. Maull, himself, served in the 3rd Brigade of Delaware Militia, defending Lewes, during the War of 1812.

Maull studied medicine under Dr. John Wolfe of Lewes and spent the rest of his life as a practicing physician from his home in Milton, Delaware. He married Penelope Shields in 1802 and they had two children, Susan and George. After her death, he married Sarah Davis Watson in 1820, and they had no children. They were members of St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Lewes.

[edit] Political career

Maull served in the State Senate for 21 years, from the 1816 session through the 1824 session, again from the 1827 session through the 1830 session and finally from the 1839/40 session until the 1845/46 session. As he was Speaker during the last session, he became Acting Governor of Delaware upon the death of Governor Thomas Stockton on March 2, 1846 and served until his own death on May 3, 1846. He was the seventh Governor of Delaware to die in office. Maull began his career as a Federalist, and joined the Whig Party with the party realignment of the 1830’s. When he was Governor he was opposed to the foreign policy of U.S. President James K. Polk, including the annexation of Texas.

[edit] Death and Legacy

Maull died May 3, 1846 at Lewes, Delaware, and is buried at the St. Peter's Episcopal Church Cemetery in Lewes.

[edit] Public offices

Elections were held the first Tuesday in October and members of the Delaware General Assembly took office on the first Tuesday of January. State Senators had a three year term. Since 1831, elections have been held on the first Tuesday after November 1st and State Senators have had a four year term. The Governor takes office the third Tuesday in January, and has a four year term

Office Type Location Elected Took Office Left Office notes
State Senator Legislature Dover 1816 January 7, 1817 January 6, 1818
State Senator Legislature Dover 1817 January 6, 1818 January 2, 1821
State Senator Legislature Dover 1820 January 2, 1821 January 6, 1824
State Senator Legislature Dover 1826 January 2, 1827 January 5, 1830
Delegate Convention Dover 1831 November 1831 December 2, 1831 State Constitution
State Senator Legislature Dover 1838 January 1, 1839 January 3, 1843
State Senator Legislature Dover 1842 January 3, 1843 March 2, 1846 Speaker
Governor Executive Dover 1836 March 2, 1846 May 3, 1846 Acting

[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. 
  • Scharf, John Thomas (1888). History of Delaware 1609-1888. 2 vols.. Philadelphia: L. J. Richards & Co.. 
  • Conrad, Henry C. (1908). History of the State of Delaware, 3 vols.. 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] Images

[edit] External links

  • Delaware’s Governors [1]
  • Find a Grave [2].
  • History of Delaware 1609-1888 [3]
  • National Governor’s Association [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


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