Gunning Bedford, Sr. was an American officer during the American Revolution and politician from New Castle, Delaware.
Background
Gunning Bedford was born on April 7, 1742, on a farm in New Castle Hundred, near the town of New Castle, son of William and Catherine Jacquett Bedford. The family came from New Jersey or Pennsylvania and settled in New Castle Hundred, Delaware. Gunning's father was a farmer.
Education
Gunning Bedford was educated at the Academy of Pennsylvania.
Career
Bedford first appears in history as a major in the Revolutionary War. He was deputy quartermaster-general, lieutenant-colonel of a Delaware regiment January 19, 1776, and muster-master-general June 18, 1776. His regiment took part in the battle of Long Island, but he was detained that day in New York, serving on a court-martial. Soon after, he fought at the battle of White Plains and was wounded.
The list of political offices which Bedford held is an extended one. He became a prothonotary in 1779; was a representative in the Delaware legislature 1784-1786, and a member of the state Senate 1788; he was elected to the privy council in 1783 and 1790. In 1788 he was appointed register of wills, and in the following year a justice of the peace. Meanwhile he was a delegate to the Continental Congress 1783-85, and to the state convention which met in 1787 to ratify the Federal Constitution. As presidential elector he voted for Washington in the first election. The culmination of his political career was his term as governor of the state, an office which he held from January 1796 until his death.
Achievements
Membership
Gunning Bedford was a member of the Federalist Party; the Delaware General Assembly (1784-1786); the U. S. Congress (1786-1787); the Legislative Council (1788-1789); Immanuel Episcopal Church.
Connections
Gunning Bedford married Mary Read, the sister of George Read, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, in 1769. They had no children.