The President of the Vermont Republic - Thomas Chittenden
Thomas Chittenden was the Chief Executive of Vermont for the first 20 years of the United States’ existence.
Thomas Chittenden
By 1774 Thomas Chittenden was an up and coming leader in Connecticut.
Chittenden was a county judge who spent the better part of a decade serving in the local militia.
This is when he decided to relocate his family (including 10 children) to Vermont.
Vermont Republic
Vermont at this time was fiercely independent.
The land was claimed by both New York and New Hampshire, but the people living there largely considered themselves separate from both.
In fact, Vermont declared independence from both Great Britain AND the United States in January of 1777.
President
When Vermont announced to the world that it now be an independent nation, its citizens called together a convention and wrote a constitution.
Furthermore, they elected a President.
Their choice?
None other than the rapidly ascending politician...Thomas Chittenden.
Just three years after moving to Vermont, he was now running the show.
Haldimand
Chittenden was the top man in Vermont for the next twenty years.
During this time he worked closely with brothers Ethan and Ira Allen to create the new republic.
They also participated in the Haldimand Affair, a secret discussion with the Governor of Quebec that would have made Vermont its own province in Great Britain should the Americans not recognize it as a State.
Fortunately, Chittenden and company turned down these offers to continue their pursuit of Statehood.
Governor
When Vermont was recognized as the 14th State in 1791, Thomas Chittenden became its first Governor.
He has the unique distinction of being the only President of a nation before becoming its Governor (except maybe Hawaiian Royalty).
He served his adopted home until his death during the Presidency of John Adams.
Here are some other FIRST GOVERNORS of their respective States:
Meshech Weare Assumes Power in New Hampshire
Archibald Bulloch Can’t Return For the Signing
George Clinton Governs New York
Want to read more about Thomas Chittenden?
Well, he’s only got one biography, which makes today’s recommendation super easy for me.
Pick up a copy through the Amazon affiliate link below (you’ll support this site, but don’t worry, Amazon pays me while your price stays the same).
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