Jonathan Trumbull, Speaker of the House of Representatives and confidant to General George Washington, was born in
Watertown,
Connecticut on October 12th, 1710 to
Joseph Trumbull (Trumble) and
née Hannah Higley. With an uneventfull childhood, he went on to graduate from
Harvard 1730 with a
Masters of Arts with a major emphasis in
theology which he used to secure a position as minister in
Colchester, Connecticut.
He quickly got the ministeral bug out of his mind and went to work with his father in 1732 as meat packer. During his time as a merchant, the business was the largest meat packing operation in Connecticut as well as one of the largest general suppliers to the
Colonial Army.
On December 9th, 1735 he was married to
Faith Robinson (daughter of
Rev. John Robinson). Shortly thereafter, while working with is father, he was appointed to be a
Delegate to the
General Assembly of
Congress and was subsequently voted to act as
Speaker of the House in the 1739-40 session of Congress while dualy appointed as
Lieutenant Colonel in Connecticut's armed
militia.
He would later become
Deputy Governor of Connecticut in 1766 and upon the death of the
Governor,
William Pitkin in 1769, he assumed the post of Governor where he served until 1784. Once year later, he would pass away and is currently interred in the Old Cemetery in
Lebanon, Connecticut.
It is important to note that he was a signifigant advisor to
General George Washington during the
Revolutionary War, contributing all of Connecticut's assets to the cause. His unfailing devotion to Washington earned him the respect and admiration of Washington as well as the nickname "
Brother Jonathan." Because of his devotion and respect Washington oftened turned to him during times of need and for advice with difficult situations. His advice is credited towards many of the successes George Washington lead.
After his death, General Washington wrote of him, "A long and well spent life in the service of his country, places Governor Trumbull among the first of patriots." A fitting homage to an ardent supporter and patriot.
Family:
As important as his career history is, it is still important to note that he was a loving and devoted father to six children, several of which left a significant mark on history themselves.
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Joseph Trumbull (1737-1778), 1st Commissary General of the Continental Army
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Jonathan Trumbull, Jr. (1740-1809), Governor of Connecticut 1798-1809
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Faith Trumbull (1743-1775), married
General Jedidiah Huntington
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Mary Trumbull (1745-1831), married
William Williams, signer of the
Declaration of Independence
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David Trumbull (1751-1822), Commissary of the
Colony of Connecticut
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John Trumbull (1756-1843), "
Painter of the American Revolution"
Some information retained from Wikipedia as well as the records of the Continental Congress.