Gunning Bedford

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Gunning Bedford Sr. (born April 7, 1742 in New Castle County , Delaware Colony , † September 28, 1797 in New Castle , Delaware ) was an American politician and governor of the state of Delaware from 1796 to 1797 .

Early years

Gunning Bedford attended the Academy of Pennsylvania . He then returned to New Castle, Delaware, where he made his living as a trader. He also became a member of the militia and took part in some Indian wars. After the outbreak of the War of Independence , he rose to the position of lieutenant colonel in the American Continental Army . He took part in several battles and was wounded in the process. In 1777 he retired from military service and began studying law. In 1779 he was admitted to the bar. In the same year he found legal employment in New Castle County.

Political rise

Between 1784 and 1785 Bedford was a member of the House of Representatives from Delaware and in 1786 he was elected to the Continental Congress, to which his cousin of the same name, Gunning Bedford Jr. , had previously belonged. But he did not exercise his mandate and resigned it on January 15, 1787. In the same year he was a member of the Delaware Assembly that ratified the US Constitution . Bedford was also a Senator in the State Senate from 1788 to 1790 . In 1789 he was also appointed justice of the peace. On October 6, 1795 he was elected as the candidate of the Federalist Party for the new governor of his state.

Delaware Governor and End of Life

On January 19, 1796, Bedford succeeded Joshua Clayton as governor . During his tenure, the transportation system in Delaware was improved. A daily stagecoach operation was established between Wilmington and Philadelphia at that time. After Dover carriages perverse least twice a week. At that time, the Bank of Delaware was founded and the foundation for a public school system was laid. Governor Bedford did not see the regular end of his three-year term. He died on September 28, 1797. The remaining term of office until January 1799 was ended by the President of the Senate, Daniel Rogers , who became the new governor according to the state constitution. Governor Bedford was married to Mary Read, the youngest daughter of former Delaware President George Read .

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.

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