George Truitt

George Truitt
17th Governor of Delaware
In office January 19, 1808 – January 15, 1811
Preceded by	Nathaniel Mitchell
Succeeded by	Joseph Haslet
Member of the Delaware Senate
In office January 4, 1803 – January 19, 1808
Personal details
Born	1756 (1756) Kent County, Delaware Colony
Died	October 8, 1818 (aged 61–62) Kent County, Delaware
Political party	Federalist
Spouse	Margaret (Mary) Hodgson
Residence	Kent County, Delaware

George Truitt (1756 – October 8, 1818) was an American politician from Murderkill Hundred, in Kent County, Delaware, near Felton. He was a member of the Federalist Party, who served in the Delaware General Assembly and as Governor of Delaware.

Early life and family

Truitt was born in Murderkill Hundred, Kent County, Delaware, near Felton. His father was Samuel Truitt (b. 1733 Worcester, Maryland, d. 1788 Worcester, Maryland), his mother was Ester Sturgis (b. 1737 Somerset County, Maryland, d. 1777). he was certainly a descendant of a George Truitt who settled in Accomack County, Virginia, in the 17th century. He married Margaret "Mary" Hodgson and they had one child, Sarah. Their farm and primary residence was later known as Frazier Farm and is located east of Felton on the Canterbury Road, now State Route 15. They also had a home at 12 South Main Street in Camden. They were members of the Methodist Church.

Professional and political career

He began his political career as a delegate to the state convention which ratified the United States Constitution of 1787. He then served five years in the state house from the 1788/89 session through the 1791/92 session and again in the 1794 session. He then served most of two terms in the state senate, from the 1803 session through the 1807 session. In 1807 he was elected Governor of Delaware, defeating Joseph Haslet the Democratic-Republican Party candidate. Truitt took office January 19, 1808, and served until January 15, 1811.

Gov. George Truitt House

Like other governors, Truitt was concerned about issues like slavery, penal reform, and public education. A new issue arose during his term, however. Due to increasing tensions with Great Britain, the U.S. government had directed Delaware to create and equip a militia of 1300 men. The General Assembly, in turn requested Federal fortification of Wilmington, New Castle, Port Penn, Reedy Island, and Lewes. Being descendant of George Truitt 1640 who landed in Va. on a land grant from Kind George of England. Who exchanged his land in Northern England for the tract in the New world.

Death and legacy

Truitt died at his farm in Murderkill Hundred, Kent County, near Felton, and was buried there. In 1903 he was reburied in the Barratt's Chapel Cemetery near Frederica, Delaware. The Gov. George Truitt House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.

No known portrait of George Truitt exists.

Delaware General Assembly (sessions while Governor)
Year	Assembly		Senate majority	Speaker		House majority	Speaker
1808	32nd		Federalist	James Sykes		Federalist	Stephen Lewis
1809	33rd		Federalist	James Sykes		Federalist	Stephen Lewis
1810	34th		Federalist	James Sykes		Federalist	Stephen Lewis

Almanac

Elections were held October 1 and members of the General Assembly took office on October 20 or the following weekday. State assemblymen had a one-year term.

Beginning in 1792 elections were held the first Tuesday of October and members of the General Assembly took office the first Tuesday of January. The State Legislative Council was renamed the state senate and the State House of Assembly became the State House of Representatives. State senators had a three-year term and state representatives had a one-year term. The governor takes office the third Tuesday of January and had a three-year term.

Public offices
Office	Type	Location	Began office	Ended office	Notes
Delegate	Convention	Dover		December 7, 1787	ratification
Assemblyman	Legislature	Dover	October 20, 1788	October 20, 1789
Assemblyman	Legislature	Dover	October 20, 1789	October 20, 1790
Assemblyman	Legislature	Dover	October 20, 1790	October 20, 1791
Assemblyman	Legislature	Dover	October 20, 1791	October 20, 1792
State Representative	Legislature	Dover	January 7, 1794	January 6, 1795
State Senator	Legislature	Dover	January 4, 1803	January 7, 1806
State Senator	Legislature	Dover	January 7, 1806	January 19, 1808
Governor	Executive	Dover	January 19, 1808	January 15, 1811

Delaware General Assembly service
Dates	Assembly	Chamber	Majority	Governor	Committees	District
1788/89	13th	State House	non partisan	Thomas Collins		Kent at-large
1789/90	14th	State House	non partisan	Joshua Clayton		Kent at-large
1790/91	15th	State House	non partisan	Joshua Clayton		Kent at-large
1791/92	16th	State House	non partisan	Joshua Clayton		Kent at-large
1794	18th	State House	Federalist	Joshua Clayton		Kent at-large
1803	27th	State Senate	Federalist	David Hall		Kent at-large
1804	28th	State Senate	Federalist	David Hall		Kent at-large
1805	29th	State Senate	Federalist	Nathaniel Mitchell		Kent at-large
1806	30th	State Senate	Federalist	Nathaniel Mitchell		Kent at-large
1807	31st	State Senate	Federalist	Nathaniel Mitchell		Kent at-large

Election results
Year	Office		Subject	Party	Votes	%		Opponent	Party	Votes	%
1807	Governor		George Truitt	Federalist	3,309	52%		Joseph Haslet	Democratic-Republican	3,062	48%

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.
• Martin, Roger A. (1995). Memoirs of the Senate. Newark, Delaware: Roger A. Martin.
• Scharf, John Thomas (1888). History of Delaware 1609-1888. 2 vols. Philadelphia: L. J. Richards & Co. ISBN 0-87413-493-5.
• Wilson, Emerson. (1969). Forgotten Heroes of Delaware. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Deltos Publishing Company.

External links

• Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States
• Delaware’s Governors
• George Truitt at Find a Grave
• The Political Graveyard'

Places with more information

• Delaware Historical Society; website; 505 North Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801; (302) 655-7161.
• University of Delaware; Library website; 181 South College Avenue, Newark, Delaware 19717; (302) 831-2965.
• Barrat's Chapel Cemetery; 6416 Bay Road, Frederica, Delaware; (302) 335-5544.