Charles Thomas (governor)
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This article is about the former Governor of Delaware, for other persons with the same name, see Charles Thomas (disambiguation).
| Charles Thomas | |
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| Governor of Delaware | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 23, 1790 New Castle County, Delaware |
| Residence | New Castle, Delaware |
| Died | February 8, 1848 New Castle, Delaware |
| Political party | Democratic-Republican |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
| Spouse | Eliza Stoops |
Charles Thomas (June 23, 1790 – February 8, 1848) was an American lawyer and politician from New Castle, in New Castle County, Delaware. He was a member of the Democratic-Republican Party, who served in the Delaware General Assembly and as Governor of Delaware.
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[edit] Early life and family
Thomas was born June 23, 1790 at Dragon Neck in Red Lion Hundred, New Castle County, Delaware, son of Charles & Susanna McCallmont Thomas. His father was an elder of the New Castle Presbyterian Church and President of the New Castle Turnpike Company. Charles, Jr. married Eliza Stoops and they had one child, Eliza. The lived at "Harmony House" at the corner of Harmony Street and the Strand, now the Parish House of Immanuel Episcopal Church. They were members of New Castle Presbyterian Church.
There are no known records showing the fate of Thomas' wife, Eliza. What is known is that his daughter Eliza was cared for by Dr. John Rumsey of Wilmington until she was about 10 years old, and then moved in with Thomas' sister Sally who was married to William T. Read, his college roommate, and grandson of George Read, the Signer.
[edit] Political career
Thomas attended Princeton College and studied law with George Read, Jr. He was admitted to the Delaware Bar in 1813 and began the practice of law at New Castle. He served in the 1818 session of the State House, and the 1822 and 1823 session of the State Senate. Since he was the Speaker in the 1823 session, he succeeded to the office of Governor upon the death of Governor Joseph Haslet. He then served as Governor of Delaware from June 24, 1823 until January 20, 1824.
Thomas continued the advocacy of several other Governors on behalf of improved public education. As told by Carol Hoffecker in Democracy in Delaware, "'In these portentous times,' remarked Governor Thomas in 1824, 'it seems rather a hazardous experiment to permit one generation to sleep in ignorance.' He advocated a special school tax, which he promised 'would be a blessing to the people...for it would...relieve them of the most intolerable of all burdens, the burdens of immorality and ignorance. 'In vain,' he said, 'do we boast of our elective franchise, and our civil rights, if a large portion of our citizens are unable to read the tickets which they annually present at the polls. Such men may think themselves free, but in fact they are slaves.... If education is confined to the rich,' he warned, 'the few will govern.'" [1] By refusing to raise taxes or surrender local control, the General Assembly again failed to act.
Thomas was also an advocate for penal reform. Again from Hoffecker, Thomas "noted without pride that 'the penal laws of this State are much severer than those of any State in the Union." Arguing against imprisonment for debt, he said "An opinion seems to pervade the community that our poor houses...are rather nurseries for vice than asylums for the helpless." [2] For now, this request received no response.
[edit] Death and legacy
Thomas died February 8, 1848 in New Castle, Delaware and is buried there, at the Old Presbyterian Churchyard.
There is no known portrait of Charles Thomas.
| Political Offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by: Joseph Haslet |
Governor of Delaware June 24, 1823 – January 20, 1824 |
Succeeded by: Samuel Paynter |
[edit] Public offices
Elections were held the first Tuesday of October. Members of the Delaware General Assembly took office the first Tuesday of January. 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.
| Office | Type | Location | Elected | Took Office | Left Office | notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Representative | Legislature | Dover | 1817 | January 6, 1818 | January 5, 1819 | |
| State Senator | Legislature | Dover | 1821 | January 1, 1822 | June 24, 1823 | Speaker |
| Governor | Executive | Dover | June 24, 1823 | January 20, 1824 | Acting |
[edit] Notes
- ^ Hoffecker, Carol E. (2004). Democracy in Delaware. Wilmington, Delaware: Cedar Tree Books, p.76. ISBN 1-892142-23-6. “Journal of the House of Representatives (1824), p. 10-11”.
- ^ Hoffecker, Carol E. (2004). Democracy in Delaware. Wilmington, Delaware: Cedar Tree Books, p. 81. ISBN 1-892142-23-6. “Journal of the House of Representatives (1824), p. 11-12”.
[edit] References
- Sobel, Robert, John Racino (1988). Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States 1789-1978, Vol. 1. Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Press. ISBN 0-930466-00-4.
- Hoffecker, Carol E. (2004). Democracy in Delaware. Wilmington, Delaware: Cedar Tree Books. ISBN 1-892142-23-6.
- Scharf, John Thomas (1888). History of Delaware 1609-1888. 2 vols.. Philadelphia: L. J. Richards & Co.. ISBN 0-87413-493-5.
- 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.
[edit] External links
[edit] Places with more information
- Corbit-Calloway Memorial Library 2nd and High St., Odessa, Delaware (302) 378-8838
- Historical Society of Delaware 505 Market St., Wilmington, Delaware (302) 655-7161
- Newark Free Library 750 Library Ave., Newark, Delaware (302) 731-7550
- University of Delaware Library 181 South College Ave., Newark, Delaware (302) 831-2965
