Jacob Stout

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Jacob Stout
no known portrait exists
Governor of Delaware
In office
January 18, 1820 – January 16, 1821
Preceded by John Clark
Succeeded by John Collins
Personal details
Born 1764
Kent County, Delaware
Died November 1, 1855(1855-11-01) (aged 91)
Kent County, Delaware
Political party Federalist
Spouse(s) Angelica Killen
Residence Kent County, Delaware
Occupation manufacturer
Profession Presbyterian

Jacob Stout (1764 – November 1, 1855) was an American manufacturer and politician from Little Creek Hundred, in Kent County, Delaware. He was a member of the Federalist Party, who served in the Delaware General Assembly and as Governor of Delaware.

Early life and family

Stout was probably born in Little Creek Hundred, Kent County, Delaware, son of Jacob Emanuel Stout and his second wife Mary Griffin Stout. His ancestors came to Kent County from New Jersey in the 17th century. Like many in the area, his father was a reluctant revolutionary in 1776, but later served six years in the Delaware General Assembly. Jacob Stout married Angelica Killen in 1795 and had four children, Mary, William, Henry, Sarah Ann, and William Jacob. The exact location of their home is debated. Some say it was north of Leipsic and others say it was west of it, on the Cheswold Road. It was nearby in any case, as he was one of the founders of Leipsic. He was also President of the Smyrna Bank from 1844 until 1847. They were members of the Presbyterian Church.

Stout had a tannery in Dover and one day while bending over to check the contents of one of the tanning vats, a pet ram seized the opportunity and butted him into the vat. Supposedly Stout then commented on the impudence of the ... ram to butt the Governor of Delaware into a tanning vat.[1]

Professional and political career

Stout served in the State House for two sessions in 1813 and 1814. He was then elected to the State Senate for two terms, beginning with the 1815 session and ending with the 1820 session, when he was elected Speaker. This was done in full knowledge that he would immediately become Governor, as the person recently elected to become Governor, Henry Molleston, had died before taking office. As part of the arrangement it was agreed that Stout would serve but one year and a special gubernatorial election would be held in 1820 for a two-year term. He served as Governor of Delaware from January 18, 1820 until January 16, 1821.

During his term in office the issue of the extension of slavery into U.S. territories became a national crisis. Typically, Delaware was divided on the matter. Stout and the General Assembly supported national action preventing slavery's extension, but most of Delaware's congressional delegation disagreed. The Missouri Compromise of 1820 was the final result. In 1822 Stout was named a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas.


Delaware General Assembly
(sessions while Governor)
Year Assembly Senate Majority Speaker House Majority Speaker
1820 44th Federalist vacant Federalist Nathan Vickers

Death and legacy

Stout died at his home in Little Creek Hundred, Kent County. At first he was buried at his home, but later was moved and is now buried in the Old Presbyterian Cemetery, which is at Dover, on the grounds of the Delaware State Museum.

During the course of his long life he was involved in much activity. In addition to his political career and tannery, he was active in land reclamation and development projects, helped to lay out the road from Bombay Hook Lighthouse to Smyrna and was one of the founders of the town of Leipsic.

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.

Public Offices
Office Type Location Began office Ended office notes
State Representative Legislature Dover January 5, 1813 January 4, 1814
State Representative Legislature Dover January 4, 1814 January 3, 1815
State Senator Legislature Dover January 2, 1816 January 5, 1819
State Senator Legislature Dover January 5, 1819 January 18, 1820
Governor Executive Dover January 18, 1820 January 16, 1821 acting
Delaware General Assembly service
Dates Assembly Chamber Majority Governor Committees District
1813 37th State House Federalist Joseph Haslet Kent at-large
1814 38th State House Federalist Daniel Rodney Kent at-large
1816 40th State Senate Federalist Daniel Rodney Kent at-large
1817 41st State Senate Federalist John Clark Kent at-large
1818 42nd State Senate Federalist John Clark Kent at-large
1819 43rd State Senate Federalist John Clark Kent at-large
1820 44th State Senate Federalist Henry Molleston Speaker Kent at-large

Notes

  1. ↑ Martin, Roger A. (1984). A History of Delaware Through its Governors. Wilmington, Delaware: McClafferty Press. , p. 138.

References

  • Conrad, Henry C. (1908). History of the State of Delaware. Lancaster, Pennsylvania: Wickersham Company. 
  • Hale, Thomas (1915). The Stout Family of Delaware Streets. 
  • 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. 

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