ribbon line
ribbon line
Wednesday,
" February 7, 2024 "
( This webpage originally created in " April, 1998 " )
( Words in " Bright Blue " on this webpage are links )
Delaware's Constitution, adopted in 1792, prohibited any individual from being immediately re-elected to the office of Governor and also set a term limit of " three (3) years ".The Constitution was changed in 1831 to extend the term of Governor from " three (3) to four (4) years " also to " NOT " allow an individual to be re-elected.
( March 4, 1801 - January 19, 1802 )
( " Assumed Term of Gov. Richard Bassett after his resignation " )
Federalist ~ Age 39 ~ Physcian ~ Episcopalian
State Senate :
( January 6, 1794 - February 20, 1801 )
( January 19, 1802 - January 6, 1813 )
Interesting Facts :
Was a ratifier of the U.S. Constitution for Delaware in 1787 .....
3rd individual to assume the office of Governor .....
Grandfather of " General George Sykes ", Union General in the Civil War .....
Date and Place of Birth :
March 27, 1761, Near Dover, Delaware
Parents :
( Clicking on the family highlighted names " below " show where they are interred ~ many include photos )
" Continental Congressman James Sykes, Sr. "
Agnes ( Bell? ) Sykes
Married :
Elizabeth Goldsborough Sykes ~ ( 1760 ~ 1827 )
Their Children :
Dr. James Sykes ~ became a Physcian in Dover, Delaware
Anna Matilda Sykes
William Sykes ~ Father of Civil War General George Sykes
Facts about his life :
Attended schools in Dover, Wilmington and Newark Delaware
Studied medicine under Dr. ( Former Governor ) " Joshua Clayton "
Moved to and set up medical practice in Cambridge, Maryland where he met his wife Elizabeth
Moved back to Dover, Delaware
Served in the Delaware State Senate, 1793 ~ 1795
Served as Clerk of the Delaware State House of Representatives in 1796
Served in the Delaware State Senate from 1797 to 1801, Speaker of the Senate in 1800 & 1801
Assumed Governor's Office upon being the Speaker of the Senate after the resignation of :
" Gov. Richard Bassett " who was appointed United States Circuit Judge by " U.S. President John Adams "
Sykes served as Governor from March 4, 1801 to January 19, 1802
Was not a candidate for Governor after assuming the previous term
Served in the Delaware State Senate, 1802 - 1812
Moved to New York from 1814 until 1820
Moved back to Dover, Delaware in 1820
Military Service: None
Date and Place of Passing :
October 18, 1822 ~ Dover, Delaware ~ Age 61
Place of Burial :
Christ Episcopal Church, Dover, Delaware ~ ( unmarked )
To view " Governor Sykes " Place of Burial / with photos :
Home :
The Green, Dover, Delaware ~ ( currently offices )
( January 19, 1802 ~ January 15, 1805 )
Sussex County
Democrat-Republican ~ Age 50 ~ Lawyer ~ Presbyterian
Interesting Facts :
" 1st non - Federalist " to be elected to office .....
" 1st Democrat - Republican " to be elected to office .....
" 10th Governor " to be elected to office .....
Date and Place of Birth :
January 4, 1752 ~ Lewes, Delaware
Parents :
David Hall ~ ( 1712 ~ 1796 ) ~ Served as a Captain in the Military
Mary Magdalena Kollock Hall ~ ( 1720 ~ 1789 )
Married :
( Clicking on the family highlighted names " below " show where they are interred ~ many include photos )
Catherine Tingley Hall ~ Married in 1776 ~ ( 1758 ~ 1810 - Age 52 )
Their Children:
Mary Hall Walker ~ ( 1776 ~ 1840 - Age 64 ) ~ Married Dr. Robert Houston, then David Walker
Jane Hall Collins ~ ( 1779 ~ 1837 - Age 58 ) ~ married Delaware's 22nd Governor " John Collins "
Elizabeth Hall White ~ ( 1780 ~ 1819 - Age 39 ) ~ married Dr. John White
Catherine Hall Paynter - ( 1784 - 1822 ) ~ married David Paynter
Joseph Hall ~ ( 1788 ~ 1810 - Age 22 )
Martha Hall Tull ~ ( 1792 ~ 1864 - Age 72 ) ~ married James Tull
Lydia Hall Huffington - ( 1796 - ???? ) ~ married Dr. Edward Huffington
Facts about his life :
Admitted to the bar in 1773 in New Castle, Delaware
Military Service: Revolutionary War, Colonel, wounded in Germantown, New Jersey
Ran unsucessfully for Governor in 1798, being defeated by " Richard Bassett "
Elected as Delaware's 15th Governor by defeating future Governor :
" Nathaniel Mitchell " for office by 18 votes ( 3,475 - 3,457 )
Gov. Hall served from January 19, 1802 until January 15, 1805
Unsuccessful candidate for U.S. Representative in 1812 being defeated by " Henry Moore Ridgely "
Served as the Associate Justice of the Sussex County Common Pleas Court, 1813-1817
Date and Place of Passing :
September 18, 1817 - Lewes, Delaware - Age 65
Place of Burial :
Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Lewes, Delaware
To view " Governor Hall " Place of Burial / with photos :
Home :
107 Kings Highway, Lewes, Delaware (currently a private residence)
To view the " Wikipedia Article " created from this page's info for " Governor Hall " :
( winner marked in " Red " / * = incumbant )
( January 15, 1805 - January 19, 1808 )
Sussex County
Federalist ~ Age 52 ~ Lawyer ~ Episcopalian
( 1787 - 1788 )
( January 6, 1809 ~ January 6, 1813 )
Interesting Facts :
Became a " Prisoner Of War " on May 10, 1781 while defending Petersburg, Virginia and was not released until about the war .....
Served at " Valley Forge " with " General George Washington " .....
He led the attack at the " Battle of Monmouth, New Jersey on June 28, 1778 .....
No known portrait exists of Nathaniel Mitchell .....
11th Governor to be elected to office .....
One of the founders of " Georgetown, Delaware " .....
Date and Place of Birth :
1752, Near Laurel, Delaware
Parents :
James Mitchell - ( 1715 ~ 1790 ) ~ Married in ca. 1740
Margaret Dagworthy Mitchell - ( 1725 ~ 1790 )
Married :
( Clicking on the family highlighted names " below " show where they are interred ~ many include photos )
Hannah Morris Mitchell - ( 1771 ~ 1832 ) ~ Married in 1791 ~ She later married Col. Manaen Bull
Their Children:
William Jones Mitchell ~ ( 1793 ~ 1833 ) ~ never married
Mary Ann Mitchell King ~ ( 1795 ~ 1832 ) ~ married John King, moved to Washington, D.C.
Alfred Mitchell ~ ( 1796 ~ 1869 ) ~ moved to Trenton, New Jersey
Elizabeth Mitchell - ( 1801 ~ 1833 )
Theodore Mitchell ~ ( 1804 ~ 1884 ) ~ married Rebecca Ann Earp
Dagworthy Mitchell ~ ( 1813 ~ 1832 ) - never married and moved to Philadelphia, Pa.
Elizabeth Mitchell Sanford - married Whiting Sanford
Facts about his life :
During the Revolutionary War he became an adjutant in
" General John Dagworthy's " ( his uncle ) battalion of militia
Afterward he served with Colonel Patterson's battalion of the Delaware Flying Camp
Later he served with Colonel Grayson's Continental regiment;
In April 1779 he was transferred to Colonel Gist's regiment and subsequently was brigade major and inspector to Gen. Peter Muhlenberg.
Member of the Continental Congress from Delaware 1787 ~ 1788
Prothonotary of Sussex County 1788 ~ 1805
Defeated in his bid to become Delaware's 15th Governor in 1801 by only 18 votes ( 2,393 to 2,374 ) being defeated by :
" Governor David Hall "
Elected as Delaware's 16th Governor by defeating Delaware's future 18th Governor :
" Joseph Haslet " and served from January 15, 1805 until January 19, 1808
Served in the Delaware State House of Representatives in 1808
Served in the Delaware State senate 1810 ~ 1811
Date and Place of Passing :
February 21, 1815 ~ Laurel, Delaware ~ Age 61
Place of Burial :
Old Christ Church Cemetery, near Laurel, Delaware
To view " Governor Mitchell's " Place of Burial / with photos :
Home :
" Rosemont " ~ 121 Delaware Avenue ~ Laurel, Delaware ~ ( currently a private residence )
To view the " Wikipedia Article " created from this page's info for " Governor Mitchell " :
( winner marked in " Red " / * = incumbant )
( January 19, 1808 ~ January 15, 1811 )
Kent County
Federalist - Age 51 - Farmer - Methodist
State House :
( January 7, 1794 ~ January 6, 1795 )
State Senate :
( January 4, 1803 ~ January 19, 1808 )
Interesting Facts:
Was a ratifier of the U.S. Constitution for Delaware in 1787 .....
The 1810 census released showing 72,674 Delaware residents .....
12th Governor to be elected to office .....
Date and Place of Birth :
1756 ~ Near Felton, Delaware
Parents :
Samuel Truitt ~ ( 1725 ~ 1788 )
Esther Frances Sturgis Truitt ~ ( 1730 ~ 1777 )
Married :
( Clicking on the family highlighted names " below " show where they are interred ~ many include photos )
Margaret " Mary " Hodgson Truitt - ( 1757-1823 )
Their Child :
Margaret Sarah " Sallie " Truitt Fisher ~ ( 1780 ~ 1803 ) ~ married Dr. James H. Fisher
Facts about his life :
Delaware State House of Representative, 1788-1791, 1793
Delaware State Senate, 1802-1807
Elected as Delaware's 17th Governor by defeating Delaware's future 18th Governor :
" Joseph Haslet " and served from January 19, 1808 until January 15, 1811
Military Service: None
Date and Place of Passing :
October 8, 1818 ~ Near Felton, Delaware ~ Age 62
Place of Burial :
( 1st ) ~ at his home
( 2nd ) ~ In 1903 reinterred at Barrett's Chapel, Frederica, De. by the Delaware General Assembly
To view " Governor Truitt's " Place of Burial / with photos :
Home :
State Route 33 ~ outside of Felton, Delaware ~ ( currently a private residence )
To view the " Wikipedia Article " created from this page's info for " Governor Truitt " :
( winner marked in " Red " / * = incumbant )
( January 15, 1811 - January 18, 1814 )
Sussex County
Democrat-Republican - Age 44? - Farmer - Presbyterian
Also served as the
Interesting Facts :
" 1st individual " to serve a non-consecutive 2nd term ~ ( 18th and 24th Governor )
Served as Governor during the " War of 1812 " against the British .....
" Commodore Thomas Macdonough " ( click his name for Bio. ) of Odessa was one of the heroes of 1814,
defeating the British fleet on Lake Champlain, .....
" Only individual " to run for Governor four (4) times
13th Governor to be elected to office
" Died during second term as 24th Governor "
Date and Place of Birth :
ca. 1769 ~ near Milford, Delaware
Parents :
( Clicking on the family highlighted names " below " show where they are interred ~ many include photos )
Colonel John Haslet ~ ( 1727 - 1777 )
Jemima Molleston Brinkle Haslet ~ ( 1725 - 1777 ) - Daughter of Henry & Jemima Manlove Haslet
Married : ~ 1st Marriage
Mary Draper Haslet
Their Child :
Nehemiah Haslet ~ ( 1792 ~ 1812 )
Married : ~ 2nd Marriage
Rachael Hickman Haslet ~ ( 1798 - 1823 ) - Daughter of John & Elizabeth Hickman
Their Children:
None
Facts about his life :
Ran unsucessfully for Governor in 1804 being defeated by :
" Nathaniel Mitchell "
Ran unsucessfully for Governor in 1807 being defeated by :
"George Truitt"
Elected Delaware's 18th Governor ( 1st Term ) by defeating Delaware's future 19th Governor :
" Daniel Rodney " by 71 votes and served from January 15, 1811 to January 18, 1814
Elected as Delaware's " 24th Governor " ~ ( 2nd Term ) by defeating :
" James Booth "
Military Service: None
Date and Place of Passing :
June 20, 1823 ~ Cedar Creek Village ~ Near Milford, Delaware ~ Age 57
Place of Burial :
Milford Community Cemetery ( Old ) ~ Milford, Delaware
( Old ) Odd Fellows Section
To view " Governor Haslet's " Place of Burial / with photos :
Home :
Cedar Creek Village ~ Near Milford, Delaware
To view the " Wikipedia Article " created from this page's info for " Governor Haslet " :
( winner marked in " Red " / * = incumbant )
( January 18, 1814 - January 21, 1817 )
Sussex County
Federalist ~ Age 48 ~ Sailor, Merchant ~ Episcopalian
( October 1, 1822 - March 3, 1823 )
" Delaware's 14th U.S. Representative "
( November 8, 1826 - January 12, 1827 )
" Delaware's 14th U.S. Senator "
Interesting Facts :
14th Governor to be elected to office
In 1820 Rodney received 4 electoral votes for U.S. Vice President,
but lost overwhelmingly to incumbent " Daniel D. Tompkins ".
Father of Delaware's 18th U.S. Representative " George Brydges Rodney "
Brother of " Caleb Rodney " who served as Delaware's 23th Governor
Distant relative of " Caesar Rodney " who served as Delaware's 4th Governor
Date and Place of Birth :
September 10, 1764 ~ Lewes, De.
Parents :
( Clicking on the family highlighted names " below " show where they are interred ~ many include photos )
John Rodney ~ ( 1725 ~ 1792 )
Ruth Hunn Rodney ~ ( 1734 ~ 1806 )
Married :
Sarah Fisher Rodney ~ ( 1767 ~ 1853 )
Their Children:
Hannah Rodney White ~ ( 1794 ~ 1828 ) ~ married Dr. John White
John Rodney ~ ( 1796 ~ 1886 ) ~ married Sarah Duvall Rodney
Henry Fisher Rodney ~ ( 1800 ~ 1869 ) ~ married Mary Burton Rodney
George Brydges Rodney ~ (1803 ~ 1883 ) ~ later became " Delaware's 18th U.S. Representative "
William Rodney ~ ( 1805 ~ 1879 ) ~ married Lydia W. Burton Rodney ~ Was a Lt. Commander in the U.S. Navy
Nicholas Ridgely Rodney ~ ( 1810 ~ 1865 )
Susan Rodney
Mary Rodney
Facts about his life :
Associate Judge of the Court of Common Pleas 1793 ~ 1806
Defeated in his bid to become Delaware's 18th Governor in 1810 by :
" Joseph Haslet " by only 71 votes
Elected as Delaware's 19th Governor ( 4643 to 3768 ) by defeating :
" James Riddle " and served from January 18, 1814 to January 21, 1817
Elected to the Seventeenth Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Delaware's 13th Representative :
" Caesar A. Rodney " and served from October 1, 1822, to March 3, 1823
Appointed by the Delaware General Assembly to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the death of :
" Nicholas Van Dyke, Jr. " and served from November 8, 1826, to January 12, 1827 .....
Military Service: None
Date and Place of Passing :
September 2, 1846 ~ Lewes, Delaware ~ Age 81
Place of Burial :
St. Peters Cemetery ~ Lewes, Delaware
To view " Governor Rodney's " Place of Burial / with photos :
Home :
231 Second Street ~ Lewes, Delaware
To view the " Wikipedia Article " created from this page's info for " Governor Rodney " :
To view the " U.S. Congress Biographical Record " for : " Daniel Rodney " :
( winner marked in " Red " / * = incumbant )
( January 21, 1817 - January 15, 1820 )
New Castle County
Federalist - Age 55 - Farmer - Presbyterian
( 1794 - 1799 )
State House :
( January 2, 1799 - January 7, 1800 )
Interesting Facts :
15th Governor to be elected to office
Grandfather of Delaware's 35th U.S. Senator " Anthony C. Higgins "
His headstone show's he was the " 11th Governor " ..... however he was the " 20th Governor "
Date and Place of Birth :
February 1, 1761 ~ Family farm " New Bristol " ~ North of Smyrna, Delaware
Parents :
( Clicking on the family highlighted names " below " show where they are interred ~ many include photos )
Capt. Willliam B. Clark ~ ( 1733 ~1786 )
Hannah ( _____ ) Clark
Married :
Sarah Cook Clark ~ Married in 1784 ~ ( 1769 - 1790 - Age 21 ) ~ Daughter of Delaware's 6th Governor " John Cook "
Their Children :
Mary Clark Corbit - ( 1787 ~ 1814 ) - Married Pennell Corbit in 1807
There were more ( names unknown )
Facts about his life :
Sheriff of New Castle County ( 1 year )
Delaware State Treasurer ~ ( 1794 ~ 1799 )
Elected to the Delaware State House ~ 1798
Elected Delaware's 20th Governor by defeating :
" Manaen Bull " and served from January 21, 1817 to January 15, 1820
Military Service: None
Date and Place of Passing :
August 14, 1821 ~ Smyrna, Delaware ~ Age 70
Place of Burial :
Holly Hill ~ ( Duck Creek Presbyterian ) ~ Smyrna, Delaware
To view " Governor Clark's " Place of Burial / with photos :
Home :
" Clearfield Farm "
North of Smyrna, Delaware
by Delaware Correction facility ( Once used as Offices for Corrections )
To view the " Wikipedia Article " created from this page's info for " Governor Clark " :
( winner marked in " Red " / * = incumbant )
Kent County
Federalist - Age 57 - Physician, Miller - Methodist
( February 1808 ~ 1813 )
State House :
( January 7, 1800 ~ February 1808 )
State House :
( January 4, 1814 ~ January 3, 1815 )
State Senate :
( January 3, 1815 ~ November 11, 1819 )
Interesting Facts :
Died before taking oath of Governor's Office.
16th Governor to be elected to office.
He was a physician.
Date and Place of Birth :
January 1, 1762 ~ North of Milford, Delaware
Parents :
Henry Molleston ~ ( 1686 ~ 1782 )
Sarah Manlove Molleston ~ ( 1730 ~ 1781 )
Married :
( Clicking on the family highlighted names " below " show where they are interred ~ some include photos )
Mary " Molly " Combe Molleston - Married in 1793 ~ ( 1775 ~ 1822 )
Their Children:
Henry Molleston, IV ~ ( 1794 ~ ???? )
Mary Molleston ~ ( 1795 ~ 1827 ) ~ married Thomas Temples
William Molleston ~ ( 1796 ~ ???? )
Benjamin Molleston ~ ( 1799 ~ ???? )
Elizabeth Molleston ~ ( 1800 ~ 1822 )
Jemima Ann Molleston Hentz ~ ( 1810 ~ 1840 - Age 29 ) - Married John Hentz
Jonathan Molleston ~ ( 1814 ~ 1838 )
Facts about his life :
Member of the State Constitutional Convention in 1792
Served in the Delaware State House of Representative from 1799 to 1808
Delaware State Treasurer from 1808 to 1813
Served in the Delaware State House of Representative in 1813
Served in the Delaware State Senate from 1814 to 1819 - Speaker of the Senate from 1816 to 1818
Elected Delaware's Governor ( 3823 to 3185 ) on October 5, 1819 by defeating :
" Manaen Bull "
Military Service: None
Date and Place of Passing :
November 11, 1819 ~ Near Dover, Delaware
Place of Burial :
Unknown
To view " Governor Molleston's " Online Memorial / with photos :
Home :
" Cooper's Corner " ~ in the Dover, Delaware area
To view the " Wikipedia Article " created from this page's info for " Governor Molleston " :
" Henry Molleston, III "
( winner marked in " Red " / * = incumbant )