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| Elections in Vermont |
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The 1778 Vermont Republic gubernatorial election took place on March 12, 1778, and resulted in the selection of Thomas Chittenden as the republic's first governor.[1] This was Vermont's first gubernatorial election after declaring independence in 1777.[2]
After declaring themselves independent, the former New Hampshire Grants were first known as New Connecticut, but soon changed their name to Vermont.[3] In early 1778, the council of safety that temporarily governed the new republic invited each Vermont town to elect two delegates to meet at a convention in Windsor.[4]
The delegates assembled on March 12 and organized themselves into the first Vermont House of Representatives.[4] They then proceeded to the election of a governor, lieutenant governor, treasurer, and members of a governor's council, who would serve until elections could be held in October.[4] Thomas Chittenden, who had served as president of the council of safety,[5] was chosen for governor.[4][6] Joseph Marsh was elected lieutenant governor, and Ira Allen was the convention's choice for treasurer.[4][7] The names of candidates and balloting totals were not recorded, but the convention's secretary noted that Chittenden was elected "by a great majority of votes."[4]
On October 8, 1778, the Vermont General Assembly met in Windsor.[8] Members of the House of Representatives voted for governor, lieutenant governor, treasurer, and members of the governor's council.[9] Chittenden, Marsh, and Allen were elected to one-year terms, though the recorder did not report the vote totals.[9]
- ^ Slade, William (1823). Vermont State Papers: Journal of the General Assembly of the State of Vermont, March 1778. Middlebury, VT: J. W. Copeland. p. 257 – via Google Books.
- ^ White, Mrs. W. R. (November 1, 1916). "Vermont From the Election of Thomas Chittenden Through the War of 1812". Daughters of the American Revolution Magazine. New York, NY: National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. p. 311 – via Google Books.
- ^ Aldrich, Lewis Cass (1891). History of Franklin and Grand Isle Counties, Vermont. Syracuse, NY: D. Mason & Co. pp. 76–77 – via Google Books.
- ^ a b c d e f Slade, p. 257.
- ^ Slade, p. 227.
- ^ Deming, Leonard (1851). Catalogue of the Principal Officers of Vermont. Middlebury, VT: Leonard Deming. p. 9 – via Google Books.
- ^ Deming, p. 9.
- ^ Slade, p. 275.
- ^ a b Slade, pp. 276–277.