Samuel Huntington (Politiker, 1731)
Samuel Huntington (* 16. Juli 1731 in Windham, Connecticut, Kolonie des Königreichs Großbritannien; † 5. Januar 1796) war ein nordamerikanischer Jurist, Politiker, Anführer der Amerikanischen Unabhängigkeitsbewegung in Connecticut und ist als Unterzeichner der Unabhängigkeitserklärung der USA einer der Gründerväter der USA.
Privatleben
Huntington Eltern waren Nathaniel und Mehetabel Huntington. Er war das vierte von elf Kindern und der älteste Junge. Er erhilet eine begrenzte Ausbildung an der öffentlichen Schule und wurde dann selbst unterrichtet. Als Huntington 16 Jahre alt war, wurde er bei einem Fassbinder in die Lehre gegeben, half seinem Vater aber weiter auf der Farm. Seine Bildung eignete er sich in der Bibliothek von Pfarrer Ebenezer Devotion und aus
1758 wurde Huntington als Jurist zugelassen und zog nach Norwich (Connecticut), wo er zu praktizieren begann. 1761 heiratete er Martha Devotion, Pfarrer Ebenezer Devotions Tochter. Sie blieben bis zu ihrem Tod 1794 zusammen. Weil das Paar keine Kinder haben konnte, adoptierten sie nach dem Tod ihres Bruders Pfarrer Joseph Huntington dessen Sohn und Tochter und behandelten Samuel H. Huntington und Frances Huntington bald wie eigene Kinder.
Politische Karriere
Nach einen kurzen Dienst als Stadtrat begann Huntington 1794 ernsthaft seine politische Karriere, als Norwich ihn als einen ihrer Vertreter in das Parlament von Connecticut entsandte. Er wurde bis 1774 jedes Jahr aufs Neue gewählt. Wegen seiner Erfahrung und seiner Rolle im Parlament ernannte ihn Gouverneur Thomas Fitch 1765 zum Anwalt der Krone der Kolonie. Auch diesen Posten behielt er bis 1774. In diesem Jahr berief ihn Gouverneur Jonathan Trumbull in den Obersten Gerichtshof der Kolonie. Diese Position zog einen Sitz im Gouverneursrat mit sich, der als oberes gesetzgebendes Haus des Parlamentes diente. Huntington behielt dieses Amt durchgängig bis 1778 und war im letzten Jahr Oberster Richter.
Huntington war ein offener Kritiker der Intolerable Acts des britischen Parlaments. Deswegen wählte ihn das Parlament im Oktober 1775 zu einem ihrer Delegierten im Kontinentalkongress. Im Januar 776 nahm er seinen Platz zusammen mit Roger Sherman und Oliver Wolcott als Delegation aus Cennecticut in Philadelphia (Pennsylvania) ein. Er stimmte für die Unterstützung der Unabhängigkeitserklärung der USA und unterschrieb sie später.
Articles of Confederation
Samuel returned to the Congress each year through 1781. As a result, he was also one of the members who signed the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union when the congress adopted them in 1777. For several years in the Congress he quietly supported the revolution, having his greatest impact by urging the states and their legislatures to support the levies for men, supplies, and money needed to fight the Revolutionary War.
While not known for extensive learning or brilliant speech, his steady hard work and unfailing calm manner earned him the respect of his fellow delegates. As a result, when John Jay left to become minister to Spain, he was elected President of the Continental Congress on September 28, 1779. His steady hand helped keep the Congress together as the nascent country faced reverses in the field after the excitement of their victory at Saratoga. As the situation became more desperate, he stepped up his efforts through letters and contacts to get the States to complete the ratification of the Articles, that had laid on the table for years.
By the time he became the Presiding officer, every state except Maryland, had ratified the Articles and the Confederation. Maryland's main objection lay in her disputed claims to the Ohio Country. Huntington managed to convince the Legislatures of New York, Virginia, and Connecticut to cede their claims to the national congress. After that, Maryland gave in and did likewise, finally ratifying the Articles on March 1, 1781.
The Articles limited the term of President to one year, but the Congress resolved that service before the Articles were in force didn't count. So Huntington stayed on office, now as President of the United States in Congress Assembled, until July 6, 1781 when ill health forced him to resign and return to Connecticut. In 1782, Connecticut again named him as a delegate, but his health and judicial duties kept him from accepting. He did return to the Congress as a delegate for the 1783 session to see the success of the revolution embodied in the Treaty of Paris.
Governor of Connecticut
In 1785 he was elected as Lieutenant Governor for Connecticut, serving with Governor Matthew Griswold. In 1786 he followed Griswold as Governor of Connecticut, and was reelected annually until his death in 1796. That same year, in a reprise of his efforts in Congress, he brokered the Treaty of Hartford that resolved western land claims between New York and Massachusetts. The following year he lent his support to the Northwest Ordinance that completed the national resolution of these issues.
In 1788 he presided over the Connecticut Convention that was called to ratify the United States Constitution. In later years he saw the transition of Connecticut into a U.S. State. He resolved the issue of a permanent state capital at Hartford and oversaw the construction of the state house. He died while in office, at his home in Norwich on January 5, 1796.
Later events
Huntington County, Indiana is named in his honor. The home that Samuel was born in was built by his father, Nathaniel, around 1732 and still stands. The area is now within the borders of the town of Scotland, Connecticut. In 1994 the home and some grounds were purchased by a local historic trust. As of 2003 restoration is underway, but parts of the home and grounds are open to visitors at limited times.
His nephew and adopted son Samuel H. Huntington moved to the Ohio country that he had been instrumental in opening up, and later became the third Governor of Ohio. His cousin was Jedidiah Huntington the son-in-law of Governor Jonathan Trumbull.
Huntington Mills is a small town in northeastern Pennsylvannia which also derives its name in honor of Samuel Huntington.
External links
Additional reading
- Larry R. Gerlach; "Connecticut Congressman : Samuel Huntington, 1731-1796"; 1977, Hartford, Bicentennial Commission, ISBN 0918676045.