Nathaniel Mitchell

Nathaniel Mitchell (* 1753 in Laurel, Delaware, † February 21, 1814 ) was an American politician and 1805-1808 Governor of the State of Delaware. He was also from 1787 to 1788 delegate to the Continental Congress.

Early years and political rise

Mitchell was first employed in agriculture before joining at the beginning of the Revolutionary War in the Continental Army. There he rose to become a major in the course of the war. He was involved in several battles. Among other things, he was with George Washington at Valley Forge. In 1781 he fell into British captivity. After the decisive Battle of Yorktown, he was released again.

Between 1787 and 1788 he was a member of the Continental Congress and from 1788 to 1805 he was a notary in Sussex County. In 1801, he applied as a candidate of his Federalist Party for the office of the Governor of Delaware. He was defeated by only 18 votes difference against David Hall. In the next gubernatorial elections on October 2, 1804, he then made ​​the hoped-for victory against the eventual Governor Joseph Haslet.

Governor of Delaware

Nathaniel Mitchell began his three -year term on 15 January 1805. The most important event in his reign was the fulfillment of a quota of 814 fully armed and equipped troops that had to be made ​​a covenant under the standing militia available. Achieving this goal required a great deal of time and administrative effort. Due to a constitutional clause Mitchell was not allowed to run again in 1807. Therefore, he resigned from his post on 19 January 1808.

Further CV

Between 1808 and 1810 Mitchell was then a deputy in the House of Representatives from Delaware, and from 1810 to 1812 he was a member of the State Senate. Governor Mitchell died on 21 February 1814. He was buried in his hometown of Laurel. With his wife, Hannah Morris, he had seven children.