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Dennis Pennington
Dennis Pennington

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Indiana Territorial Legislature
In office
1809 – 1816
Preceded by None
Succeeded by None
Constituency Harrison County
Incumbent
Assumed office 
1816-20, 1825-27, 1830-33, 1842-45
Preceded by None
Constituency Harrison County
Incumbent
Assumed office 
1822-24, 1828-30, 1845-46
Preceded by None
Constituency Harrison County
Born May 18, 1776(1776-05-18)
Cumberland County, Virginia
Died December 2, 1854 (aged 78)
Harrison County, Indiana
Political party Whig Party
Religion Methodist

Dennis Pennington (May 18, 1776 - December 2, 1854) was an early Indiana legislator, speaker of the first Indiana State Senate, head of the territorial legislature, and a member of the Whig Party serving over 37 years in public office. Harrison County is a County located in the south-central part of the U Indiana Senate is the Upper house of the Indiana General Assembly, the state legislature of the U The term speaker is a title often given to the presiding officer of a legislative body Harrison County is a County located in the south-central part of the U Indiana House of Representatives is the Lower house of the Indiana General Assembly, the state legislature of the U The term speaker is a title often given to the presiding officer of a legislative body Harrison County is a County located in the south-central part of the U Events 1152 - Henry II of England marries Eleanor of Aquitaine. Year 1776 ( MDCCLXXVI) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Cumberland County is a county located in the US state &mdash officially " Commonwealth " &mdash of Virginia. The Commonwealth of Virginia ( is an American state Events 1409 - The University of Leipzig opens 1755 - The second Eddystone Lighthouse is destroyed by fire Year 1854 ( MDCCCLIV) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Common year Harrison County is a County located in the south-central part of the U The State of Indiana ( was the 19th US state admitted into the union Methodism is a movement within Protestant Christianity represented by a number of denominations and organizations Events 1152 - Henry II of England marries Eleanor of Aquitaine. Year 1776 ( MDCCLXXVI) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Events 1409 - The University of Leipzig opens 1755 - The second Eddystone Lighthouse is destroyed by fire Year 1854 ( MDCCCLIV) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Common year The State of Indiana ( was the 19th US state admitted into the union The term speaker is a title often given to the presiding officer of a legislative body Indiana Senate is the Upper house of the Indiana General Assembly, the state legislature of the U Indiana Territory was an Organized territory of the United States from 1800 to 1816 created by Act of Congress and signed into law by President He was also a stonemason[1]. The craft of stonemasonry has existed since the dawn of Civilization - creating Buildings structures and Sculpture using stone from the earth His major political contributions where his strong opposition of slavery and his support of squatter's rights. In Common law, adverse possession is the process by which title to another's Real property is acquired without compensation, by as the name

Contents

Biography

Early life

Dennis Pennington was born in Cumberland County, Virginia on May 18, 1776 to Edward Pennington. Cumberland County is a county located in the US state &mdash officially " Commonwealth " &mdash of Virginia. The Commonwealth of Virginia ( is an American state Events 1152 - Henry II of England marries Eleanor of Aquitaine. Year 1776 ( MDCCLXXVI) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a [2] He had four brothers and one sister.

The Pennington family had several slaves while they lived in Virginia. All were freed when they left Virginia including "Aunt Fannie", who declined to be left behind. She stayed with Pennington's household for the rest of her life,[3] she later died as one of the several freed slaves living in Corydon. Corydon is a town in Harrison Township, Harrison County, Indiana, United States and a former capital of the State of Indiana

In the fall of 1773 the Penningtons went to Kentucky with Henry Clay. Henry Clay Sr ( April 12, 1777 &ndash June 29, 1852) was a nineteenth-century American statesman and Orator who In 1799 Pennington supported Clay in his attempt to make Kentucky a "Free State". While Pennington in Kentucky he farmed a piece of land east of Louisville and married his wife Jenine.

In 1784 he crossed the Ohio River at Clarksville, Indiana and entered the Northwest Territory. The Ohio River is the largest Tributary by volume of the Mississippi River. Clarksville is a town in Clark County, Indiana, along the Ohio River as apart of the Louisville Metropolitan area. For the Canadian territory see Northwest Territories. For the northwestern corner of the Lower 48 see Northwestern United States. There Pennington purchased land from George Rogers Clark near present day Lanesville, Indiana which he farmed for several years starting in 1802. George Rogers Clark (November 19 1752 – February 13 1818 was a soldier from Virginia and the highest ranking American military officer on the northwestern frontier during Lanesville is a town in Franklin Township, Harrison County, Indiana, United States. [4] He moved again in 1815 to what is now Central Barren, Indiana, four miles north of Corydon. Central Barren is an unincorporated community in Morgan Township, Harrison County, Indiana. [5]

Political career

In the late 1790s Pennington was able to meet Governor Saint Clair and Thomas Worthington. Arthur St Clair (March 23 1736 August 31 1818 was the ninth President of the Continental Congress under the Articles of Confederation, a general in the Thomas Worthington may refer to Thomas Worthington (governor (1773&ndash1827 Democratic-Republican politician from Ohio 6th Governor of Ohio His contact with these men and their success with the anti-slavery party in Ohio, Pennington decided to enter the anti-slavery debate in Indiana. Ohio ( is a Midwestern state of the United States. As part of the Great Lakes region, Ohio has long been a cultural and geographical crossroads Pennington first met William Henry Harrison on a trip to Vincennes in 1801. This article is about the general and president For his great-great-grandson see William H The city of Vincennes is the County seat of Knox County, Indiana. [6]. Initially Pennington supported Harrison's policies. But over time he was slowly roused to opposition. Three events led to Pennington coming out against Harrison's plans. On December 28, 1802, Harrison attempted to have the anti-slavery clause of the Northwest Territory's charter dropped. Events 1065 - Westminster Abbey is Consecrated. 1308 - The reign of Emperor Hanazono, Emperor of Year 1802 ( MDCCCII) was a Common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar or a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Then in 1803 he introduced measures to allow indenturing within the territory, and finally in 1807 Harrison was nearly able to have slavery outright legalized by the appointed territorial legislature[7]. An indentured servant is a form of Debt bondage worker The Laborer is under Contract of an Employer for some period of time usually three to It was then that Pennington decided it was time to enter politic in open opposition to Harrison and the pro-slavery government.

Pennington's first fray in the political world was his support for "squatter's rights", much to the chagrin of George Rogers Clark, still a major landholder at the time in 1807. In Common law, adverse possession is the process by which title to another's Real property is acquired without compensation, by as the name George Rogers Clark (November 19 1752 – February 13 1818 was a soldier from Virginia and the highest ranking American military officer on the northwestern frontier during Pennington went further in his speech at the Springville meeting and outright condemned slavery and the government that had legalized it. Springville was a small town that existed from 1798-1811 in Clark County, Indiana, United States. At the same meeting in Springfield the attendees arrived at a resolution that condemned slavery in the territory and resolved to to put an end to the "despised institution". [8]

In 1809 Congress authorized the Indiana Territory to elect it's own legislature, rather than having it appointed by Governor Harrison. Indiana Territory was an Organized territory of the United States from 1800 to 1816 created by Act of Congress and signed into law by President [9] Pennington was elected as the representative of Harrison County in the first election. Harrison County is a County located in the south-central part of the U Many of his anti-slavery cohorts were also elected in the first election giving them an overwhelming majority. Pennington quickly took the lead in the legislature and introduced laws to repeal the slavery and indentured servitude laws implemented by Harrison. [10] Pennington ended up serving 29 years as a territorial and state legislator.

Also in 1809 Pennington was awarded the contract from the Territorial Legislature for the construction of what would become Indiana's first State Capitol. Indiana Territory was an Organized territory of the United States from 1800 to 1816 created by Act of Congress and signed into law by President The Corydon Historic District of Corydon Indiana, United States, is on the National Register of Historic Places. [11] Construction cost about $1,500 dollars (USD). The United States dollar ( sign: $; code: USD) is the unit of Currency of the United States; it has also been [12] After the territory was reorganized Pennington wrote the resolution to relocate the capitol. Corydon was eventually selected (Pennington's hometown):

"Resolved: That the capitol be removed from Vincennes, because it is dangerous to continue longer here on account of threatened depredations of the Indians, who may destroy our valuable records. "[13]

By 1810 Pennington was the defacto leader of the territorial legislature. In 1813 Thomas Posey succeeded Harrison as governor, and as the head of the pro-slavery party. Thomas Posey ( July 9 1750 - March 29 1818) was a officer in the American Revolution, a General during peacetime Lt It is said that it was Pennington's unrelenting political assault that drove Posey from the capital of Corydon[14] Posey would claim it was poor health and that he needed to be nearer to his physician. Corydon is a town in Harrison Township, Harrison County, Indiana, United States and a former capital of the State of Indiana

In 1815 Pennington was the territory's census enumerator. The United States Census is a decennial Census mandated by the United States Constitution. He used the position to take his anti-slavery message to every home in the territory. [15] This laid the groundwork for the movement to kill any chance of slavery entering the state's constitution that would be drawn up in the following year. Pennington is quoted as saying, "Let us be on our guard when our convention men are chosen that they be men opposed to slavery. "[16]

Indiana statehood

In 1816 Pennington was elected as a delegate to Indiana's first Constitutional Convention. [17] As a slavery opponent he was naturally in party with Jonathan Jennings. Jonathan Jennings (1784&ndashJuly 26 1834 was a Democratic-Republican governor and senator from Indiana. He and the other slavery opponents had long since wanted to make Indiana permanently a "Free State". Pennington had encouraged Jennings to run for Congress against Harrison's candidate, and once there he further encouraged him to use his position to speed the territory's path to statehood. Then, upon statehood, the constitutional convention could be stacked against slavery, and then the territory could elect it's governor rather than have it appointed by the President. They hoped by this that they could be rid of any more pro-slavery governors. [18] At the constitutional convention they did just that, slavery was clearly banned in the new constitution and the Governor was banned from holding any federal position.

“ Article 8, Section 1: But, as the holding any part of the human Creation in slavery, or involuntary servitude, can only originate in usurpation and tyranny, no alteration of this constitution shall ever take place so as to introduce slavery or involuntary servitude in this State, otherwise than for the punishment of crimes, whereof the party shall have been duly convicted. ”

Dennis Pennington ran for a seat in the senate of the new government. He won the election and ultimately become the first speaker of the Indiana State Senate from 1816-1818. The State of Indiana ( was the 19th US state admitted into the union He was an outspoken critic of slavery and a Whig during his tenure as a state representative. Pennington would service in the Indiana State Senate from 1816-20, 1825-27, 1830-33, and 1842-45. Pennington would also serve in the Indiana House of Representatives 1822-24, 1828-30, and 1845-46.

Ever the anti-slavery activist, in 1818, Pennington had three Kentuckians indicted for violating the state's "Man Stealing Act" when they forcibly took a black woman from a home in Harrison County and removed her to Kentucky. The Commonwealth of Kentucky ( is a state located in the East Central United States of America. Governor Jennings requested the Kentucky Governor send the men to Indiana for trials; after several years of correspondence the Kentucky governor refused on constitutional grounds. [19] It was this incident which caused governor Jennings to change his course and attempt to prevent fugitive slaves from entering the state.

In the early 1820s Pennington was opposed to the construction of the Wabash and Erie Canal. The Wabash and Erie Canal was a shipping Canal that linked the Great Lakes to the Ohio River via a man-made waterway He claimed, rightly so, that it would quickly become obsolete once the railroad reached the state and would turn out to be a huge waste of public money. [20] Subsequently, once the canal was nearly completed the railroad entered the state and the canal did in fact become obsolete having cost the taxpayers millions of dollars while seeing very little use.

In 1825, Pennington campaigned for the position of Lieutenant Governor, but he was defeated. First by appointment and later by an election, he became the Sheriff of Harrison County. Harrison County is a County located in the south-central part of the U During his election campaign his opponent claimed due to his infirmities of age he would be unable to fulfill the duties of the office. Pennington challenged him to a wrestling match for the younger man to prove his superiority; his opponent declined. [21] Pennington went on to win that election and served as sheriff for several years.

In his later years Pennington served ten years on the Indiana University Board of Trustees. Indiana University, founded in 1820, is a nine-campus University system in the state of Indiana. [22]

Pennington died in Harrison County, Indiana on December 2, 1854. Harrison County is a County located in the south-central part of the U The State of Indiana ( was the 19th US state admitted into the union Events 1409 - The University of Leipzig opens 1755 - The second Eddystone Lighthouse is destroyed by fire Year 1854 ( MDCCCLIV) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Common year [1]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b The Political Graveyard - Harrison, County Indiana
  2. ^ Life of Walter Quintin Gresham, 1832-1895 By Matilda Gresham Pg 13
  3. ^ Life of Walter Quintin Gresham, 1832-1895 By Matilda Gresham Pg 23
  4. ^ A History of Indiana By Logan Esarey, Pg 206
  5. ^ Life of Walter Quintin Gresham, 1832-1895 By Matilda Gresham Pg 19
  6. ^ Life of Walter Quintin Gresham, 1832-1895 By Matilda Gresham Pg 19
  7. ^ Life of Walter Quintin Gresham, 1832-1895 By Matilda Gresham Pg 21
  8. ^ Life of Walter Quintin Gresham, 1832-1895 By Matilda Gresham Pg 21-22
  9. ^ Life of Walter Quintin Gresham, 1832-1895 By Matilda Gresham Pg 22
  10. ^ Life of Walter Quintin Gresham, 1832-1895 By Matilda Gresham Pg 23
  11. ^ Life and Public Services of Thomas A. The Corydon Historic District of Corydon Indiana, United States, is on the National Register of Historic Places. Davis Floyd ( 1776 - December 13, 1834) was an Indiana Jeffersonian Republican politician who was convicted of aiding American Slavery in Indiana occurred between the time of French rule during late seventeenth century and 1826 with a few traces of slavery afterward Hendricks By John Walker Pg22
  12. ^ Kinter House - Dennis Pennington Room
  13. ^ Life of Walter Quintin Gresham, 1832-1895 By Matilda Gresham Pg 25
  14. ^ Life of Walter Quintin Gresham, 1832-1895 By Matilda Gresham Pg 22
  15. ^ Life of Walter Quintin Gresham, 1832-1895 By Matilda Gresham Pg 24
  16. ^ Historic Indiana, By Julia Henderson Levering, pg 139
  17. ^ IHB: Members of the Constitutional Convention of 1816
  18. ^ Life of Walter Quintin Gresham, 1832-1895 By Matilda Gresham Pg 22-23
  19. ^ Life of Walter Quintin Gresham, 1832-1895 By Matilda Gresham Pg 42
  20. ^ Life of Walter Quintin Gresham, 1832-1895 By Matilda Gresham Pg 11
  21. ^ Life of Walter Quintin Gresham, 1832-1895 By Matilda Gresham Pg 11
  22. ^ IU Board Members
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