Jonathan Trumbull Jr.

Jonathan Trumbull Jr.
2nd Speaker of the United States House of Representatives
In office October 24, 1791 – March 4, 1793
President	George Washington
Preceded by	Frederick Muhlenberg
Succeeded by	Frederick Muhlenberg
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Connecticut's 4th district
In office March 4, 1789 – March 3, 1795
Preceded by	None
Succeeded by	Roger Griswold
United States Senator from Connecticut
In office March 4, 1795 – June 10, 1796
Preceded by	Stephen M. Mitchell
Succeeded by	Uriah Tracy
20th Governor of Connecticut
In office December 1, 1797 – August 7, 1809
Lieutenant	John Treadwell
Preceded by	Oliver Wolcott
Succeeded by	John Treadwell
4th Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut
In office January 5, 1796 – December 1, 1797
Governor	Oliver Wolcott
Preceded by	Oliver Wolcott
Succeeded by	John Treadwell
Personal details
Born	March 26, 1740 Lebanon, Connecticut
Died	August 7, 1809 (aged 69) Lebanon, Connecticut
Political party	Federalist
Spouse(s)	Eunice Backus
Children	Jonathan Trumbull Faith Trumbull Wadsworth Mary Trumbull Harriet Trumbull Silliman Maria Trumbull
Alma mater	Harvard College
Occupation	Paymaster, comptroller
Religion	Congregationalist

Jonathan Trumbull Jr. (March 26, 1740 – August 7, 1809) was an American politician who served as the second Speaker of the United States House of Representatives.

Biography

Born in Lebanon, Connecticut, the second son of Jonathan Trumbull Sr. (the eventual Governor of Connecticut) and his wife Faith Robinson, daughter of Rev. John Robinson. Trumbull graduated from Harvard College in 1759, and gave the valedictory address when he received his master's degree in 1762.^[1] His father built the Jonathan Trumbull House for him and his bride. Jonathan Jr. married Eunice Backus, and they had one son and four daughters; Jonathan Trumbull (b. December 24, 1767, d. January 14, 1768), Faith Trumbull Wadsworth (b. February 1, 1769), Mary Trumbull (b. December 27, 1777), Harriet Trumbull Silliman (b. September 2, 1783, d. January 1850), and Maria Trumbull (b. February 14, 1785).^[2]

Career

Carrying on the family's tradition of public service, Trumbull began with town and colony offices: lister, grand juror, surveyor of highways, justice of the peace, and selectman. In 1774 he was elected deputy. the first of seven terms representing Lebanon.^[3] He served in the state legislature three times; from 1774 to 1775, from 1779 to 1780, and in 1788, serving as Speaker of the House in 1788.

Trumbull served in the Continental Army as paymaster general of the Northern Department from 28 July 1775 to 29 July 1778. He was included in the general orders of June 8, 1781: "Jonathan Trumbull. Esqr., Junior, is appointed Secretary to the Commander in Chief and to be respected accordingly." He served for the duration of the war as aide-de-camp to General George Washington until 28 December 1783.^[4] After the war, he became an original member of the Connecticut Society of the Cincinnati.

Elected to the First, Second, and Third Congresses, Trumbull served in the United States House of Representatives from March 4, 1789 to March 3, 1795.^[5] He was the Speaker of the House in the Second Congress, both preceded and succeeded by Frederick A. C. Muhlenberg. He did not seek re-election for a fourth term and instead ran for the United States Senate.

Mrs. Jonathan Trumbull Jr. (Eunice Backus) (1749–1826)

When Trumbull was elected to the United States Senate, he served from March 4, 1795 to June 10, 1796.^[6] He resigned to become Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut. When the Governor died in December 1797, he became governor and was re-elected to eleven consecutive terms until his death in Lebanon, Connecticut.^[7] He was elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1804.^[8]

Death

Trumbull died August 7, 1809 (age 69 years, 134 days). He is interred at Trumbull Cemetery, Lebanon, Connecticut.^[9] He was one the original members of the board of trustees of Bacon Academy.^[10] His brother John Trumbull was a noted painter of the Revolution. His daughter, Harriet, married scientist, Benjamin Silliman.

See also

• Trumbull, Connecticut
• Trumbull County, Ohio

References

1. "Jonathan Trumbull Jr.". National Governors Association. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
2. "Jonathan Trumbull, Jr.". Notable Names Data Base. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
3. "Jonathan Trumbull, Jr.". Connecticut (CT) Sons of the American Revolution. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
4. Lefkowitz, Arthur S.(2003). George Washington's Indispensable Men: The 32 Aides-de-Camp Who Helped Win the Revolution, Stackpole Books. Page 233.
5. "Jonathan Trumbull Jr.". Govtrack US Congress. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
6. "Jonathan Trumbull Jr.". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
7. "Jonathan Trumbull Jr.". Govtrack US Congress. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
8. "Book of Members, 1780–2010: Chapter B" (PDF). American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
9. "Jonathan Trumbull, Jr.". The Political Graveyard. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
10. The Connecticut quarterly. Connecticut Quarterly Co. 1896. pp. 125–.

External links

Jonathan Trumbull Jr. at Find a Grave

• National Governors Association
• Notable Names Data Base