William Tharp
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William Tharp | |
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In office January 19, 1847 – January 21, 1851 |
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Preceded by | William Temple |
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Succeeded by | William H. H. Ross |
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Born | November 27, 1803 Farmington, Delaware |
Died | January 9, 1865 (aged 61) Milford, Delaware |
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse | Mary A. Johnson |
Residence | Milford, Delaware |
Occupation | farmer |
Religion | Presbyterian |
William Tharp (November 27, 1803 – January 9, 1865) was an American farmer and politician from Milford, in Kent County, Delaware. He was a member of the Democratic Party, who served in the Delaware General Assembly and as Governor of Delaware.
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[edit] Early life and family
Tharp was born November 27, 1803 in Farmington, Delaware, the son of James and Eunice Fleming Tharp. His great grandfather had settled near Frankford, Delaware in 1735. His father died in 1829 and he married Mary A. Johnson about the same time. They had five children: Ruth, Mary Elizabeth, Martina, Williamina, and Ann Purnell. Through his wife that he inherited his first home on U.S. Highway 13 at Farmington, and began the accumulation of a considerable amount of farmland which he managed for the rest of his life. When he was elected Governor in 1847, the family moved to Milford and lived at the northeast corner of Church and Front Streets. They were members of the Presbyterian Church and among the organizers of a new congregation in Milford in 1849.
[edit] Delaware politics
Throughout the 19th century Delaware politics was characterized by a conservative down state, agrarian and small business majority, in opposition to a Wilmington based industrialist minority. This majority was lead into the Whig Party by John M. Clayton. Having lost three straight elections for governor, the minority Democratic Party found a candidate of their own from down state in Tharp.
[edit] Governor of Delaware
Tharp was elected to the Delaware State Senate and served in the 1839/40 and 1841/42 sessions. He sought reelection to the State Senate in 1842, but after a months long recount, was found to have lost by 1 vote. He then ran for Governor in 1844, but lost to the Whig Party candidate, Thomas Stockton. Because Stockton died in office another gubenatorial election was held in 1846, and Tharp was finally elected, defeating Peter F. Causey, the Whig Party candidate. Although he was elected along with a Whig Party General Assembly, his term began the long dominance of the Democratic Party for the remainder of the 19th century. Tharp served a full term as Governor from January 19, 1847 until January 21, 1851.
The Mexican-American War began shortly before Thorp took office, and it was a war he and most Delawareans questioned the need for. Nevertheless, like the unwanted War of 1812, Tharp and Delaware in general responded to the recruiter, and many served honorably from Buena Vista to Vera Cruz. At home Delaware finally handed over Pea Patch Island in the Delaware River to the U.S. government, ultimately for the building of Fort Delaware. Following his term Tharp retired from public service and in 1852, was named Treasurer of the Delaware Railroad.
Delaware General Assembly (sessions while Governor) |
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Year | Assembly | Senate Majority | Speaker | House Majority | Speaker | ||||||
1847-1848 | 64th | Whig | William Winder Morris | Whig | Lewis Thompson | ||||||
1849-1850 | 65th | Whig | William Winder Morris | Whig | Daniel Cummins |
[edit] Death and legacy
Tharp died January 9, 1865 at Milford, Delaware, and is buried there, at the Christ Episcopal Church Cemetery. He was the grandfather of future Governor William T. Watson. Tharp is described as "a very successful and progressive farmer...a strong man intellectually, a substantial citizen, prominent in his community and highly respected by all the people." [1]
[edit] Almanac
Elections are held the first Tuesday after November 1st. Members of the Delaware General Assembly took office the first Tuesday of January. State Senators have a four year term. The Governor takes office the third Tuesday of January and has a four year term.
Public Offices | ||||||
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Office | Type | Location | Elected | Took Office | Left Office | notes |
State Senator | Legislature | Dover | 1838 | January 6, 1839 | January 6, 1843 | |
Governor | Executive | Dover | 1846 | January 19, 1847 | January 21, 1851 |
Delaware General Assembly service | ||||||
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Dates | Assembly | Chamber | Majority | Governor | Committees | District |
1839-1840 | 60th | State Senate | Whig | Cornelius P. Comegys | Kent at-large | |
1841-1842 | 61st | State Senate | Whig | William B. Cooper | Kent at-large |
Election results | |||||||||||
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Year | Office | Subject | Party | Votes | % | Opponent | Party | Votes | % | ||
1844 | Governor | William Tharp | Democratic | 6,095 | 50% | Thomas Stockton | Whig | 6,140 | 50% | ||
1846 | Governor | William Tharp | Democratic | 6,148 | 51% | Peter F. Causey | Whig | 6,012 | 49% |
[edit] Notes
- ^ History of the State of Delaware, Conrad, Henry C.
[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.
[edit] Images
- Hall of Governors Portrait Gallery Portrait courtesy of Historical and Cultural Affairs, Dover.
[edit] External links
- William Tharp at the Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States
- William Tharp at the Political Graveyard
- William Tharp at Find A Grave
- William Tharp at Delaware’s Governors
[edit] Places with more information
- Historical Society of Delaware, 505 Market St., Wilmington, Delaware (302) 655-7161
- University of Delaware Library, 181 South College Ave., Newark, Delaware (302) 831-2965
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