George Truitt

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

George Truitt
George Truitt
In office
January 19, 1808 – January 15, 1811
Preceded by Nathaniel Mitchell
Succeeded by Joseph Haslet
Born 1756
Kent County, Delaware
Died October 8, 1818 (aged 62)
Kent County, Delaware
Political party Federalist
Spouse Margaret (Mary) Hodgson
Residence Kent County, Delaware
Occupation 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.

Contents

[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.


Delaware General Assembly
(sessions while Governor)
Year Assembly Senate Majority Speaker House Majority Speaker
1808 32nd Federalist James Sykes Federalist Stephen Lewis
1809 33rd Federalist James Sykes Federalist Stephen Lewis
1810 34th Federalist James Sykes Federalist Stephen Lewis

[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] Almanac

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.

Public Offices
Office Type Location Elected Took Office Left Office notes
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


Delaware General Assembly service
Dates Assembly Chamber Majority Governor Committees District
1788/89 13th State House non partisan Thomas Collins Kent at-large
1789/90 14th State House non partisan Joshua Clayton Kent at-large
1790/91 15th State House non partisan Joshua Clayton Kent at-large
1791/92 16th State House non partisan Joshua Clayton Kent at-large
1794 18th State House Federalist Joshua Clayton Kent at-large
1803 27th State Senate Federalist David Hall Kent at-large
1804 28th State Senate Federalist David Hall Kent at-large
1805 29th State Senate Federalist Nathaniel Mitchell Kent at-large
1806 30th State Senate Federalist Nathaniel Mitchell Kent at-large
1807 31st State Senate Federalist Nathaniel Mitchell Kent at-large


Election results
Year Office Subject Party Votes % Opponent Party Votes %
1807 Governor George Truitt Federalist 3,309 52% Joseph Haslet Democratic-Republican 3,062 48%

[edit] References

  • 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. 
  • Scharf, John Thomas (1888). History of Delaware 1609-1888. 2 vols. Philadelphia: L. J. Richards & Co. ISBN 0-87413-493-5. 
  • Wilson, Emerson. (1969). Forgotten Heroes of Delaware. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Deltos Publishing Company. 

[edit] External links

[edit] Places with more information


v • d • e
Government of Delaware