Jacob Stout

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jacob Stout
Governor of Delaware
In office January 18, 1820 – January 16, 1821
Preceded by	John Clark
Succeeded by	John Collins
Born	1764 Kent County, Delaware
Died	November 1, 1857 (aged 93) Kent County, Delaware
Political party	Federalist
Spouse	Angelica Killen
Residence	Kent County, Delaware
Occupation	manufacturer
Profession	Presbyterian

Jacob Stout (1764 – November 1, 1857) was an American manufacturer and politician from Little Creek Hundred, in Kent County, Delaware. He was a member of the Federalist Party, who served in the Delaware General Assembly and as Governor of Delaware.

Contents 1 Early life and family 2 Political career 3 Death and legacy 4 Almanac 5 Notes 6 References 7 External links 7.1 Places with more information

[edit] Early life and family

Stout was born in 1764 probably in Little Creek Hundred, Kent County, Delaware, son of Jacob Emanuel and Mary Griffin Stout. His ancestors came to Kent County from New Jersey in the 17th century. Like many in the area, his father was a reluctant revolutionary in 1776, but later served six years in the Delaware General Assembly. Jacob Stout married Angelica Killen in 1795 and had four children, Mary, William, Henry, Sarah Ann, and William Jacob. The exact location of their home is debated. Some say it was north of Leipsic and others say it was west of it, on the Cheswold Road. It was nearby in any case, as he was one of the founders of Leipsic. He was also President of the Smyrna Bank from 1844 until1847. They were members of the Presbyterian Church.

Stout had a tannery in Dover and one day while bending over to check the contents of one of the tanning vats, a pet ram seized the opportunity and butted him into the vat. Supposedly Stout then commented on the impudence of the ... ram to butt the Governor of Delaware into a tanning vat. ^[1]

[edit] Political career

Stout served in the State House for two sessions in 1813 and 1814. He was then elected to the State Senate for two terms, beginning with the 1815 session and ending with the 1820 session, when he was elected Speaker. This was done in full knowledge that he would immediately become Governor, as the person recently elected to become Governor, Henry Molleston, had died before taking office. As part of the arrangement it was agreed that Stout would serve but one year and a special gubernatorial election would be held in 1820 for a two year term. He served as Governor of Delaware from January 18, 1820 until January 16, 1821.

During his term in office the issue of the extension of slavery into U.S. territories became a national crisis. Typically, Delaware was divided on the matter. Stout and the General Assembly supported national action preventing slavery's extension, but most of Delaware's congressional delegation disagreed. The Missouri Compromise of 1820 was the final result.

Delaware General Assembly (sessions while Governor)
Year	Assembly		Senate Majority	Speaker		House Majority	Speaker
1820	44th		Federalist	vacant		Federalist	Nathan Vickers

In 1822 Stout was named a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas.

[edit] Death and legacy

Stout died in November 1857 at his home, probably in Little Creek Hundred, Kent County. At first, he was buried at his home, but later was moved to the Presbyterian Cemetery, now on the grounds of the Delaware State Museum in Dover.

During the course of his long life he was involved in much activity. In addition to his political career and tannery, he was active in land reclamation and development projects, helped to lay out the road from Bombay Hook Lighthouse to Smyrna and was one of the founders of the town of Leipsic.

[edit] Almanac

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.

Public Offices
Office	Type	Location	Elected	Took Office	Left Office	notes
State Representative	Legislature	Dover	1812	January 5, 1813	January 4, 1814
State Representative	Legislature	Dover	1813	January 4, 1814	January 3, 1815
State Senator	Legislature	Dover	1815	January 2, 1816	January 5, 1819
State Senator	Legislature	Dover	1818	January 5, 1819	January 18, 1820
Governor	Executive	Dover		January 18, 1820	January 16, 1821	acting

Delaware General Assembly service
Dates	Assembly	Chamber	Majority	Governor	Committees	District
1813	37th	State House	Federalist	Joseph Haslet		Kent at-large
1814	38th	State House	Federalist	Daniel Rodney		Kent at-large
1816	40th	State Senate	Federalist	Daniel Rodney		Kent at-large
1817	41st	State Senate	Federalist	John Clark		Kent at-large
1818	42nd	State Senate	Federalist	John Clark		Kent at-large
1819	43rd	State Senate	Federalist	John Clark		Kent at-large
1820	44th	State Senate	Federalist	Henry Molleston	Speaker	Kent at-large

[edit] Notes

[edit] 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. 

[edit] External links

• Jacob Stout at the Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States
• The Political Graveyard
• Jacob Stout at Find A Grave
• Jacob Stout at Delaware’s Governors

[edit] Places with more information

• Historical Society of Delaware, 505 Market St., Wilmington, Delaware (302) 655-7161
• University of Delaware Library, 181 South College Ave., Newark, Delaware (302) 831-2965

v • d • e Government of Delaware U.S. Senators • U.S. Representatives • Governors • Lt. Governors • Attorneys General • State Senators • State Representatives • Judges • Mayors General Assembly • Courts • Counties • Cities & communities • Hundreds • Politics • Politicians • Lawyers • History