Thomas Stockton (politician)

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	(1781-04-01)April 1, 1781 New Castle County, Delaware, U.S.
Died	March 2, 1846(1846-03-02) (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

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

Delaware militia

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

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

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

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

• 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. {{cite book}}: ISBN / Date incompatibility (help)

Images

• Hall of Governors Portrait Gallery Portrait courtesy of Historical and Cultural Affairs, Dover.

External links

• Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States
• Delaware’s Governors
• Thomas Stockton at Find a Grave
• The Political Graveyard

Places with more information

• Delaware Historical Society; website; 505 North Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801; [phone]
• University of Delaware; Library website; 181 South College Avenue, Newark, Delaware 19717; [phone]

Party political offices
Preceded by William B. Cooper	Whig nominee for Governor of Delaware 1844	Succeeded by Peter F. Causey
Political offices
Preceded by William B. Cooper	Governor of Delaware 1845–1846	Succeeded by Joseph Maull