Martin Chittenden
Encyclopedia
Martin Chittenden was the seventh Governor
of Vermont
during a crucial portion of the War of 1812
.
Chittenden was born in Salisbury, Connecticut
, and moved to Vermont in 1776 in the wake of the founding of the town of Williston
by his father, Thomas Chittenden
. In 1789, Martin Chittenden graduated from Dartmouth College
. Shortly thereafter, he served as a delegate to the state convention that ratified the United States Constitution
. After serving in several judicial positions, he became Chief Justice of the Chittenden County
Court in 1796. In 1803, he was elected to Congress, where he served until 1813. That same year, he was elected Governor of Vermont
, replacing his brother-in-law, Jonas Galusha
, who was also his successor in the post. Fighting between American and British forces was fierce on the current United States–Canada border. In November 1813, conscious of the British encroachment on Plattsburgh, New York, members of the Vermont militia
asked Chittenden to let them intervene. Chittenden declined, though the militia leaders claimed that this was the result of pressure from his advisors.
After his retirement from elected office, Chittenden served as a probate judge and died in Williston in 1840. He is buried in Old Williston Cemetery.
Governor of Vermont
The Governor of Vermont is the governor of the U.S. state of Vermont. The governor is elected in even numbered years by direct voting for a term of two years; Vermont and bordering New Hampshire are the only states to hold gubernatorial elections every two years, instead of every four...
of Vermont
Vermont
Vermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd in land area, , and 45th in total area. Its population according to the 2010 census, 630,337, is the second smallest in the country, larger only than Wyoming. It is the only New England...
during a crucial portion of the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
.
Chittenden was born in Salisbury, Connecticut
Salisbury, Connecticut
Salisbury is a town in Litchfield County, Connecticut, United States. The town is the northwest-most in the State of Connecticut. The MA-NY-CT Tri-State Marker is located just on the border of Salisbury...
, and moved to Vermont in 1776 in the wake of the founding of the town of Williston
Williston, Vermont
Williston is a town in Chittenden County, Vermont, United States. The population was 8,698 at the 2010 census, an increase of over 1,000 people since the 2000 census...
by his father, Thomas Chittenden
Thomas Chittenden
Thomas Chittenden was an important figure in the founding of Vermont.Chittenden was born in East Guilford, Connecticut and moved to Vermont in 1774, where he founded the town of Williston. During the American Revolution, Chittenden was a member of a committee empowered to negotiate with the...
. In 1789, Martin Chittenden graduated from Dartmouth College
Dartmouth College
Dartmouth College is a private, Ivy League university in Hanover, New Hampshire, United States. The institution comprises a liberal arts college, Dartmouth Medical School, Thayer School of Engineering, and the Tuck School of Business, as well as 19 graduate programs in the arts and sciences...
. Shortly thereafter, he served as a delegate to the state convention that ratified the United States Constitution
United States Constitution
The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the United States of America. It is the framework for the organization of the United States government and for the relationship of the federal government with the states, citizens, and all people within the United States.The first three...
. After serving in several judicial positions, he became Chief Justice of the Chittenden County
Chittenden County, Vermont
Chittenden County is a county located in the U.S. state of Vermont. As of 2010, the population was 156,545. Its shire town is Burlington. Chittenden is the most populous county in the state, with more than twice as many residents as Vermont's second-most populous county, Rutland.Chittenden County...
Court in 1796. In 1803, he was elected to Congress, where he served until 1813. That same year, he was elected Governor of Vermont
Governor of Vermont
The Governor of Vermont is the governor of the U.S. state of Vermont. The governor is elected in even numbered years by direct voting for a term of two years; Vermont and bordering New Hampshire are the only states to hold gubernatorial elections every two years, instead of every four...
, replacing his brother-in-law, Jonas Galusha
Jonas Galusha
Jonas Galusha was the sixth and eighth Governor of Vermont for two terms in the early 19th century.Galusha was born in Norwich, Connecticut, and migrated to Shaftsbury, Vermont, in 1775. He had a distinguished record in the American Revolution, fighting in the Battle of Bennington in 1777...
, who was also his successor in the post. Fighting between American and British forces was fierce on the current United States–Canada border. In November 1813, conscious of the British encroachment on Plattsburgh, New York, members of the Vermont militia
Militia
The term militia is commonly used today to refer to a military force composed of ordinary citizens to provide defense, emergency law enforcement, or paramilitary service, in times of emergency without being paid a regular salary or committed to a fixed term of service. It is a polyseme with...
asked Chittenden to let them intervene. Chittenden declined, though the militia leaders claimed that this was the result of pressure from his advisors.
After his retirement from elected office, Chittenden served as a probate judge and died in Williston in 1840. He is buried in Old Williston Cemetery.