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Dromo's Den
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[Up] [Dromo's Den] Jonathan Trumbull Biography TRUMBULL,
Jonathan (1710-85). An American patriot and political leader, born at
Lebanon, Conn. He graduated at Harvard in 1727, studied for the ministry, and
held a pastorate at Colchester, Conn., but in 1731 joined his father in
mercantile pursuits. Meanwhile he began to study law, and in 1733 was sent to
the General Assembly, becoming Speaker in 1739. In 1740 he was appointed
Governor's assistant, holding this position many years; from 1766 to 1769 he was
Deputy Governor, and as such ex officio Chief Justice of the Superior Court of
Connecticut. From 1769 to 1783 he was Governor, and at the outbreak of the
Revolutionary War was the only one of the Colonial Governors who gave
unqualified support to the Patriot party. At the close of the war he was
prominent as an advocate of a strong federal government. According to a
long-accepted tradition he was called by Washington "Brother
Jonathan," a phrase which later came into general use to personify the
United States. The story, however, seems to be without foundation.
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