Silas H. Jennison

Silas Hemenway Jennison
Silas Hemenway Jenison (or Jennison), circa 1837
14thGovernor of Vermont
In office November 2, 1835 – October 15, 1841
Lieutenant	David M. Camp(1836 on)
Preceded by	William A. Palmer
Succeeded by	Charles Paine
11thLieutenant Governor of Vermont
In office 1835–1836
Governor	Himself
Preceded by	Lebbeus Egerton
Succeeded by	David M. Camp
Member of theVermont House of Representatives
In office 1829–1835
Personal details
Born	Silas Hemenway Jensen (1791-05-17)May 17, 1791 Shoreham, Vermont,U.S.
Died	September 30, 1849(1849-09-30)(aged 58) Shoreham, Vermont, U.S.
Resting place	Jenison Cemetery Shoreham, Vermont, U.S.
Political party	Whig
Spouse	Marilla Hanks Bush
Signature

Silas Hemenway Jennison(May 17, 1791 – September 30, 1849) was an AmericanAnti-MasonicandWhigpolitician who served as Vermont's 11thlieutenant governorand 14thgovernor of Vermont– the first born in the state.

Biography

Jennison (Sometimes spelled Jenison) was born inShoreham, Vermontto Levi Jennison and Ruth Hemenway. He helped his mother run the farm which his father had cleared and attended the local schools sporadically and had some private tutoring. He learned surveying which he pursued throughout his political career.He married Marilla Hanks Bush on May 3, 1814 and they had five children; Lurana Sandford, Levi, Ruth, Sara Cary and Laura Louisa.

Career

Jennison was a member of theVermont House of Representativesfrom 1829 to 1835. He was an Addison County Court Judge from and a member of the State Executive Council from 1829 to 1835. He was elected theLieutenant Governor of Vermontin 1835. In the 1835 governor's race, no candidate received the majority required by the Vermont Constitution, so the choice fell to theVermont General Assembly.After 63 ballots, the legislators were unable to decide upon a winner, and opted to allow Lieutenant Governor Jennison to act as governor until the next election.He was elected to a one-year term as governor in his own right in 1836, and was reelected annually until 1840, so he served as governor from 1835 to 1841. Jennison was Vermont's first native-born Governor.

In 1837, the incumbentVermont State Treasurer,Augustine Clarke,failed to receive the majority of votes required by theVermont Constitution.In such cases, theVermont General Assemblyis empowered to elect a candidate. The legislature, split betweenAnti-Masons,WhigsandDemocrats,failed to choose a winner. Jennison, an Anti-Mason who had run with Whig support, then appointedAllen Wardner,an Anti-Mason. Wardner served until 1838.

Jennison declined reelection in 1841. He was appointed Addison County probate Judge, and he served until 1847.

Jennison was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in 1843. The Addison County Agricultural Society was organized on January 22, 1844, and Jennison was the first president.

Death

Following a long illness, Jennison died in Shoreham on September 30, 1849. He is interred at Jenison Cemetery, located within the town.

Further reading

• Vermont Historical Magazine, No. XI, October 1867, p 101

External links

• http://politicalgraveyard.com/bio/jennison-jewell.html
• http://www.leg.state.vt.us/HouseClerk/History%20of%20Elected%20Officials%20Site/Lieutenant%20Governors%20List.htm
• http://www.heywoods.info/j/SJennison08.html
• National Governors Association
• Silas H. JennisonatFind a Grave