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Thomas Stockton (April 1, 1781 – March 2, 1846) was an American soldier and politician from New Castle in New Castle County, Delaware. He was a veteran of the War of 1812, and a member of the Whig Party, who served as Governor of Delaware.
Thomas Stockton | |
|---|---|
 Stockton | |
| 33rd Governor of Delaware | |
| In office January 21, 1845 – March 2, 1846 | |
| Preceded by | William B. Cooper |
| Succeeded by | Joseph Maull |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 1, 1781 New Castle County, Delaware, U.S. |
| Died | March 2, 1846 (aged 64) New Castle, Delaware, U.S. |
| Political party | Whig |
| Spouse | Fidelia Johns |
| Residence(s) | New Castle, Delaware, U.S. |
| Occupation | Soldier |
Early life and education edit
Stockton was born in New Castle Hundred, New Castle County, Delaware, on April 1, 1781, son of John and Nancy Griffin Stockton. His father was a brigadier general in the War of 1812, leading the 1st Brigade of Delaware militia. He married Fidelia Johns, daughter of Chancellor Kensey Johns, and they had five children, Thomas, William, James, Elizabeth, and Fidelia. They lived in the Kensey Johns-Van Dyke house at 300 Delaware Street and were members of the Immanuel Episcopal Church in New Castle.
He attended and graduated from Princeton College.
Career edit
Delaware militia edit
After graduating from Princeton, Stockton joined the Delaware militia. During the War of 1812 he was part of the attack on Fort George on the Niagara River and fought at Lundy's Lane. He was promoted to a major in the 42nd Infantry, and he retired from the U.S. Army in 1825.
Political career edit
Stockton was the New Castle County Register in Chancery from 1832 to 1835. Several years later, in 1844, he was elected Governor of Delaware by defeating William Tharp, the Democratic Party candidate. He took office January 21, 1845 and served until his death on March 2, 1846. He was the sixth Governor of Delaware to die in office.
He was a member of the Society of the Cincinnati.
Death and legacy edit
Stockton died at New Castle and is buried there at the Immanuel Episcopal Church Cemetery. Several of his sons and grandsons served in the Civil War.
| Delaware General Assembly (sessions while Governor) | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Assembly | Senate Majority | Speaker | House Majority | Speaker | ||||||
| 1845-1846 | 63rd | Whig | Joseph Maull | Whig | William Temple | ||||||
Almanac edit
Elections are held the first Tuesday after November 1. The governor takes office the third Tuesday of January and has a four-year term.
| Public Offices | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Office | Type | Location | Began office | Ended office | notes | |
| Register in Chancery | Judiciary | New Castle | 1832 | 1835 | ||
| Governor | Executive | Dover | January 21, 1845 | March 2, 1846 | ||
| Election results | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Office | Subject | Party | Votes | % | Opponent | Party | Votes | % | ||
| 1844 | Governor | Thomas Stockton | Whig | 6,140 | 50% | William Tharp | Democratic | 6,095 | 50% | ||
References edit
- 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.
- Scharf, John Thomas (1888). History of Delaware 1609-1888. 2 vols. Philadelphia: L. J. Richards & Co. ISBN 0-87413-493-5.
Images edit
- Hall of Governors Portrait Gallery Portrait courtesy of Historical and Cultural Affairs, Dover.
External links edit
Places with more information edit
- Delaware Historical Society; website; 505 North Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801; (302) 655-7161
- University of Delaware; Library website; 181 South College Avenue, Newark, Delaware 19717; (302) 831-2965