Mahwenawasigh Chapter NSDAR - Governor Clinton
GEORGE CLINTON (1739-1812)
Governor of the State of New York: 1777- 1795; 1801-1804 (First)
Born: Little Britain (Orange County), July 26, 1739
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Known as the 'Father of New York State,' George Clinton was elected as the States first Governor and reelected for six additional terms, serving a total of twenty-one years, the longest period any person has held the office. So great was his popularity in the first State-wide election, he was elected both Governor and Lieutenant Governor. Accepting the higher position, he took the oath of office on July 30, 1777, in front of the court house at Kingston.
A zealous American patriot and soldier in the Revolutionary War, Clinton voted for the Declaration of Independence while a member of the Provincial Congress but did not sign the document, having been called to active military duty. Appointed Brigadier General, he organized the Ulster County militia to meet the British invasion and served in several battles in the defense of New York.
As governor, his duties at first were mostly military in nature, but later he energetically promoted scientific agriculture and the development of the public school system. He also advocated construction of a great canal system of inland waterways to connect the Hudson River with the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain.
An Anti-Federalist (party of Jefferson), George Clinton was the leader of the "Clintonians," a long dominant faction in State politics. In 1804, Governor Clinton was elected Vice President of the United States and served two terms in that office under Presidents Jefferson and Madison. |
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