Gunning Bedford, Sr.

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This article is about the former Governor of Delaware. For other persons with the same name, see Gunning Bedford.


Gunning Bedford, Sr.
Gunning Bedford, Sr.
In office
January 19, 1796 – September 28, 1797
Preceded by Joshua Clayton
Succeeded by Daniel Rogers
Born April 7, 1742(1742-04-07)
New Castle County, Delaware
Died September 28, 1797 (aged 55)
New Castle, Delaware
Political party Federalist
Spouse Mary Read
Residence New Castle, Delaware
Profession lawyer
Religion Episcopalian

Gunning Bedford, Sr. (April 7, 1742 – September 28, 1797) was an American lawyer and politician from New Castle, in New Castle County, Delaware. He was an officer in the Continental Army during the American Revolution, and a member of the Federalist Party, who served in the Delaware General Assembly and as Governor of Delaware. He is often confused with his cousin, Gunning Bedford, Jr., who was a delegate to the U.S. Constitutional Convention of 1787.

Contents

[edit] Early life and family

Bedford was born April 7, 1742 on a farm in New Castle Hundred, near the town of New Castle, the son of William & Catherine Jacquett Bedford. William Bedford was the grandson of another William Bedford who came to Delaware from Virginia around 1680, and who himself was the grandson of an English immigrant to Jamestown, Virginia in 1621. Gunning Bedford was educated at the Academy of Pennsylvania and married Mary Read, the sister of George Read in 1769. They had no children. They lived at 6 The Strand in New Castle and were members of Immanuel Episcopal Church. He began his career as a merchant at New Castle, but later studied law, and was admitted to the Bar in 1779.

[edit] Military career

Bedford was a lieutenant of the New Castle County militia in the French and Indian War. In 1776 he was commissioned a Lieutenant Colonel in the 1st Delaware Regiment of the Continental Army, under Colonel John Haslet. On June 18, 1776, he was appointed muster-master-general. Although Haslet and Bedford were away that day attending a court martial, the Delaware Regiment distinguished itself at the Battle of Long Island. It did so again at the Battle of White Plains, where Bedford was wounded. With the expiration of his enlistment, perhaps nursing his wound, Bedford returned home.

[edit] Political career

Bedford was elected to four terms in the House of Assembly beginning with the 1783/84 session and serving through the 1786/87 session. He was elected a delegate to the U.S. Congress under the Articles of Confederation in 1786/87, but resigned shortly afterwards on January 15, 1787. He then was elected to a term on the Legislative Council beginning with the 1788/89 session. In October 1795 he was the Federalist candidate for Governor, defeating Dr. Archibald Alexander, a retired army surgeon. He served as Governor from January 19, 1796 until his death on September 28, 1797.


Delaware General Assembly
(sessions while Governor)
Year Assembly Senate Majority Speaker House Majority Speaker
1796 20th Federalist Daniel Rogers Federalist Stephen Lewis
1797 21st Federalist Daniel Rogers Federalist Stephen Lewis

[edit] Death and legacy

Bedford died September 28, 1797 at New Castle, Delaware and was buried at the Immanuel Episcopal Church Cemetery, New Castle. He was the second Governor of Delaware to die in office.

[edit] Almanac

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.

Beginning in 1792, elections were moved to the first Tuesday of October and members of the General Assembly took office on the first Tuesday of January. Also in 1792 the Legislative Council was renamed the State Senate and the House of Assembly, the State House. The State President became the Governor, was popularly elected, and took office the third Tuesday in January.

Public Offices
Office Type Location Elected Took Office Left Office notes
Assemblyman Legislature Dover 1783 October 20, 1783 October 20, 1784
Assemblyman Legislature Dover 1784 October 20, 1784 October 20, 1785
Assemblyman Legislature Dover 1785 October 20, 1785 October 21, 1786
Assemblyman Legislature Dover 1786 October 20, 1786 October 21, 1787
Councilman Legislature Dover 1788 October 20, 1789 October 26, 1792
Governor Executive Dover 1795 January 19, 1796 September 28, 1797


Delaware General Assembly service
Dates Assembly Chamber Majority Governor Committees District
1783/84 8th State House non-partisan Nicholas Van Dyke New Castle at-large
1784/85 9th State House non-partisan Nicholas Van Dyke New Castle at-large
1785/86 10th State House non-partisan Nicholas Van Dyke New Castle at-large
1786/87 11th State House non-partisan Thomas Collins New Castle at-large
1788/89 13th State Council non-partisan Thomas Collins New Castle at-large
1790/91 14th State Council non-partisan Joshua Clayton New Castle at-large
1791/92 15th State Council non-partisan Joshua Clayton New Castle at-large


Election results
Year Office Subject Party Votes % Opponent Party Votes %
1795 Governor Gunning Bedford, Sr. Federalist 2,352 52% Archibald Alexander Democratic-Republican 2,142 48%

[edit] References

  • Conrad, Henry C. (1908). History of the State of Delaware. Lancaster, Pennsylvania: Wickersham Company. 
  • Martin, Roger A. (1984). History of Delaware Through its Governors. Wilmington, Delaware: McClafferty Press. 
  • Martin, Roger A. (1995). Memoirs of the Senate. Newark, Delaware: Roger A. Martin. 
  • 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. 
  • Ward, Christopher L. (1941). Delaware Continentals, 1776-1783. Wilmington, DE: Historical Society of Delaware. ISBN 0-924117-21-4. 
  • Wilson, Emerson. (1969). Forgotten Heroes of Delaware. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Deltos Publishing Company. 

[edit] External links

[edit] Places with more information


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Government of Delaware