Caleb P. Bennett

Caleb P. Bennett

Caleb Prew Bennett (born November 11, 1758 in Chester County , Province of Pennsylvania , † May 9, 1836 in Wilmington , Delaware ) was an American politician and governor of the state of Delaware from 1833 to 1836 .

Early years and military career

At the age of three, Caleb Bennett came to Wilmington, Delaware, with his parents. There he attended public schools. At the outbreak of the Revolutionary War , Bennett joined the Continental Army and rose to lieutenant in the course of the war. He participated in several battles and did not return home until January 17, 1783. Bennett also took part in the British-American War of 1812. There he had to face a court martial initiated by a rival because he was accused of not fulfilling his duties. These charges could not be proven in court and Bennett was acquitted.

Political rise

In the years following the Revolutionary War, Bennett worked in a variety of fields. Among other things, he was a ferryman and owner of a hotel in New Castle . Between 1806 and 1832 he was a chamberlain in New Castle County . After the upheaval in the party landscape in the United States in the late 1820s, Bennett became a member of Andrew Jackson's Democratic Party . In 1832 he was elected as the new governor of his state by 54 votes ahead as his party's candidate against the future US Senator Arnold Naudain .

Delaware Governor

Caleb Bennett was the first Delaware governor to be elected to a four-year term under the new 1831 constitution. When he took office on January 15, 1833, he was also the oldest governor of Delaware when he took office. The beginning of his term of office was overshadowed by the nullification crisis. There was a power struggle between the federal government under President Jackson and the state of South Carolina over the question of import duties . Governor Bennett spoke out strongly against South Carolina's stance and supported the federal government.

At that time, the state's infrastructure was also expanded. The French Town & New Castle railway company replaced its wooden rails with steel ones and used steam locomotives. This marked the beginning of the real railroad age in Delaware. At the same time, two other railway companies started operations. More and more steamers were also used in shipping. At that time the companies “People's Steam Navigation Company” and the “Powhattan Coal Company” came into being. Governor Bennett was unable to complete his four-year term. He died on May 9, 1836. His term was ended by former Governor Charles Polk , who was President of the State Senate at the time. Caleb Bennett was married to Catherine Britton, with whom he had 13 children.

literature

• Robert Sobel and John Raimo (Eds.): Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789–1978. Volume 1, Meckler Books, Westport, 1978. 4 volumes.

Web links

• Caleb Bennett in the National Governors Association (English)
• The governors of Delaware (English)
• Caleb P. Bennett in the database of Find a Grave (English)