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 byWilliam B. Cooper
Succeeded byJoseph Maull
Personal details
Born(1781-04-01)April 1, 1781
New Castle County, Delaware, U.S.
DiedMarch 2, 1846(1846-03-02) (aged 64)
New Castle, Delaware, U.S.
Political partyWhig
SpouseFidelia Johns
Residence(s)New Castle, Delaware, U.S.
OccupationSoldier

Early life and education

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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

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Delaware militia

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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

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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

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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

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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

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  • 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

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Places with more information

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Party political offices
Preceded by Whig nominee for Governor of Delaware
1844
Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by Governor of Delaware
1845–1846
Succeeded by