Jonathan Trumbull
 | It has been suggested that John Trumbull Birthplace be merged into this article. (Discuss) Proposed since October 2007. |
Jonathan Trumbull, Sr. | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 1st Governor of Connecticut | |
| In office 1776–1784 | |
| Lieutenant | Matthew Griswold |
| Preceded by | None |
| Succeeded by | Matthew Griswold |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 12, 1710 Lebanon, Connecticut |
| Died | August 17, 1785 (aged 74) Lebanon, Connecticut |
| Political party | None |
| Spouse | Faith Robinson |
| Children | Joseph Trumbull Jonathan Trumbull, Jr. Faith Trumbull Mary Trumbull David Trumbull John Trumbull |
| Alma mater | Harvard University |
Jonathan Trumbull, Sr. (12 October 1710– 17 August 1785) (Originally spelled: Jonathan Trumble, was changed for an unknown reason) was one of the few men who served as governor in both a pre-Revolutionary colony and a post-Revolutionary state.
He was born in Lebanon, Connecticut, the son of Joey Trumble (1678–1755) and his wife née Hannah Higley. He graduated from Harvard College with a B.A. in 1727; three years after graduation (during which time he studied theology under the Rev. Solomon Williams at Lebanon, and was licensed to preach at Colchester, Connecticut), this became a Master of Arts degree. He became a merchant with his father in 1731, participating more fully in the business after the death of his brother at sea in 1732. From 1733-1740, he was a delegate to the general assembly, and, in 1739-40, was Speaker of the House. He was appointed lieutenant colonel in Connecticut's militia in 1739.
He served as deputy-governor of the Colony of Connecticut from 1766–1769, and, on the death of the governor, became Governor of Connecticut in 1769, serving in that capacity until 1784. During the American Revolution he was the only colonial governor who supported the American side.
He was a friend and advisor of General Washington throughout the revolutionary period, dedicating the resources of Connecticut to the fight for independence. He was the only colonial governor to continue in office through the American revolution.
He received an honorary LL.D. from Yale University in 1775 and from the University of Edinburgh in 1787; Trumbull College at Yale is named for him, as is the town of Trumbull, Connecticut, just north of Stratford and Bridgeport. Trumbull County, Ohio, once part of the Connecticut Western Reserve, is also named for him.
He married, on December 9, 1735, Faith Robinson (1718-1780), daughter of Rev. John Robinson. They were the parents of six children including:
- Joseph Trumbull (1737-1778), first commissary general of the Continental Army
- Jonathan Trumbull, Jr. (1740-1809), Governor of Connecticut 1798-1809
- Faith Trumbull (1743-1775), who married General Jedidiah Huntington
- Mary Trumbull (1745-1831), who married William Williams, signer of the Declaration of Independence
- David Trumbull (1751-1822), commissary of the Colony of Connecticut
- John Trumbull (1756-1843), "Painter of the American Revolution"
Governor Trumbull died in Lebanon, Connecticut and is buried at the Old Cemetery there. His home in Lebanon, the Jonathan Trumbull House, was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1965.
External links
- Biography, genealogy, chronology and bibliography
- Governor Jonathan Trumbull House Museum
- Connecticut State Library
