William Henry Harrison Ross (1814 - 1887)

Born 2 Jun 1814 in Laurel, Sussex, Delaware, United States

Died 30 Jun 1887 at age 73 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

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William Ross is a part of Delaware history. Join: Delaware Project Discuss: Delaware

Preceded by 36th Governor William Tharp

37th Governor of Delaware 1851—1855

Succeeded by 38th Governor Peter F. Causey

Biography

William Ross is Notable.

William Henry Harrison Ross (June 2, 1814 – June 29, 1887) was an American farmer and politician from Seaford, in Sussex County, Delaware, United States.

He was a member of the Democratic Party who served as Governor of Delaware. ^[1]

Early Life

Ross was born in Laurel, Delaware, son of Caleb and Letitia Lofland Ross. He grew up in Laurel, attending the Laurel Academy, and later went to Claremount Academy in Pennsylvania. The Ross family had many business interests, and William added to them by beginning to grow peaches on their property. Like his father, he one day would become a director of the Farmers' Bank of Delaware.

He married Emeline Hall in 1840, and they had ten children, Letitia Lofland, Caleb, George Hall, James Jefferson, William Madison, Edgar Calhoun, Sarah A., Mary G., Laura F., and John Wood. They lived at the Ross Mansion, just north of Seaford, and were members of the Methodist Church. ^[1]

Ross Mansion [2]

Professional and Political Career

Ross was a regular delegate to the Democratic National Convention, attending in 1844, 1848, 1856, and 1860. In his only attempt at public office, Ross ran for Governor in 1850, against Thomas Lockwood of Frederica. Lockwood, the Temperance Party candidate, was the main contender, there being no effective Whig candidate. Ross ran with U.S. Representative George R. Riddle and a slogan of "Ross, Riddle and Reform. ^[3] They were both successful, and Ross served as Governor of Delaware from January 21, 1851, until January 14, 1855. At age 36, he was the youngest person ever elected Governor of Delaware.

In 1852, the long-contemplated building of the north-south Delaware Railroad finally got underway. In the works since the company was chartered in 1836, funds were finally raised and a route laid out. Constitutional reform was also seriously considered at this time. By 1850, New Castle County had nearly half the population of the state, but only one third of the representation in the Delaware General Assembly. This and other populist measures led the Democrats to call for a Constitutional Convention to address them. Using methods that were probably unconstitutional, the Democrats managed to get the Convention convened in December 1852, but the majority of the delegates were Whigs. After several months of negotiation, compromises were reached that satisfied no one and the whole effort was resoundingly rejected at the polls. The Constitution of 1831would remain in effect. ^[1]

" Delaware Statewide Election Results"

^[4]

Slavery and the Civil War

Ross was a slaveholder and obviously sympathetic with the various arguments intended to preserve it. "'Slavery might be dying in Delaware,' he said, but he was convinced a majority of the citizens in the state supported the rights of the slave’s states." ^[5] As if to agree with his point, the General Assembly again refused proposals to allow African Americans to testify in courts of law, or to travel freely.

Ross knew what his reputation was, and with the outbreak of the Civil War in early 1861, and especially after one of his sons joined the Confederate States Army, Ross left for England for a few months. He tried returning a year later, but by 1863 had left for the duration of the war. While he was in exile he wrote, "Not that I am guilty of any act against the government of the U.S., but I am considered to entertain opinions which are pronounced by some people as disloyal. For that reason, I remain out of the country, hoping that the American people may someday return to their reason, [when] I may return in safety to spend the remainder of my days in a country ruined by the madness and fanaticism of its own people." ^[6] Ross returned, and lost many of his investments, but by his act of avoidance, probably prevented further personal ruin.

Ross was but the wealthiest and most visible of many persons in Delaware equally sympathetic with the cause of the Confederacy. Most of his peers and neighbors felt the same way, and the strength of their pro-slavery feelings was matched only by awareness that the very existence of Delaware required its membership in a strong Union. Refusing to give up either opinion, the important decisions were simply made elsewhere. ^[1]

Family

Father:

Caleb Ross

Birth Mar 1784

Death Nov 1841 (aged 57)

Burial Laurel Hill Cemetery, Laurel, Sussex County, Delaware, USA

From Find A Grave: Memorial #95683967

• 'Caleb Ross; Find A Grave: Memorial #95683967; Created by: Gen❤Sher (contributor 46991088); Record added: 20 August 2012; date accessed: 21 July 2018
  • Headstone photo: [1]; Added by Corey & Douglas Marshall-Steele, 9 October 2014

Mother:

Letitia Lofland Ross

Birth: 5 Mar 1787

Burial: Laurel Hill Cemetery, Laurel, Sussex County, Delaware, USA

From Find A Grave: Memorial #95683920

• 'Letitia (Lofland) Ross; Find A Grave: Memorial #95683920; Created by: TBD; Record added: DATE ; date accessed: DATE
  • Headstone photo: [2]; Added by NAME, DATE

Siblings:

James Jefferson Ross

Birth: 1809

Death: 8 Oct 1833 (aged 23–24)

Burial: Ross Cemetery, Jasper County, Georgia, USA

From Find A Grave: Memorial #131120968

• 'James Jefferson Ross; Find A Grave: Memorial #131120968; Created by: TBD; Record added: DATE ; date accessed: DATE
  • Headstone photo: [3]; Added by NAME, DATE

Sallie A Ross Paynter

Birth:20 Mar 1812

Death: 5 Jan 1866 (aged 53)

Burial: Saint Peters Episcopal Churchyard, Lewes, Sussex County, Delaware, USA

From Find A Grave: Memorial #131120968

• 'Sallie A (Ross) Paynter; Find A Grave: Memorial #131120968; Created by: TBD; Record added: DATE ; date accessed: DATE
  • Headstone photo: [4]; Added by NAME, DATE

Maria M. Ross

Birth: 17 Feb 1816

Death: 7 Oct 1817 (aged 1)

Burial: Laurel Hill Cemetery, Laurel, Sussex County, Delaware, USA

From Find A Grave: Memorial #95684110

• Maria M. Ross; Find A Grave: Memorial #95684110; Created by: TBD; Record added: DATE ; date accessed: DATE
  • Headstone photo: [5]; Added by NAME, DATE

Spouse of William H. H. Ross

Elizabeth Emeline Hall Ross

Birth: 22 Dec 1822 Sussex County, Delaware, USA

Death: 15 Jun 1909 (aged 86) Seaford, Sussex County, Delaware, USA

Burial: Saint Lukes Cemetery, Seaford, Sussex County, Delaware, USA Add to Map

FromFind A Grave: Memorial #64196878

• Elizabeth Emeline (Hall) Ross; Find A Grave: Memorial #64196878; Created by: TBD; Record added: DATE ; date accessed: DATE
  • Headstone photo: [6]; Added by NAME, DATE

Children of William and Elizabeth Ross

John Wool Ross

Birth: unknown

Death: 10 May 1857

Burial: Saint Lukes Cemetery, Seaford, Sussex County, Delaware, USA

From Find A Grave: Memorial #72932335

• Laura F. (Ross) Gray; Find A Grave: Memorial #72932335; Created by: TBD; Record added: DATE ; date accessed: DATE
  • Headstone photo: [7]; Added by NAME, DATE

Laura F Ross Gray

Birth: unknown

Death: 27 Sep 1916

Burial: Saint Lukes Cemetery, Seaford, Sussex County, Delaware, USA

From Find A Grave: Memorial #72932110

• Laura F. (Ross) Gray; Find A Grave: Memorial #72932110; Created by: TBD; Record added: DATE ; date accessed: DATE
  • Headstone photo: [8]; Added by NAME, DATE

Caleb W Ross

Birth: 31 Aug 1841

Death: 17 Sep 1861 (aged 20)

Burial: Saint Lukes Cemetery, Seaford, Sussex County, Delaware, USA

From Find A Grave: Memorial #72932324

• Caleb W. Ross; Find A Grave: Memorial #72932324; Created by: TBD; Record added: DATE ; date accessed: DATE
  • Headstone photo: [9]; Added by NAME, DATE

Letitia Ross Green

Birth: 22 Dec 1843

Death: 22 Oct 1928 (aged 84)

Burial: Old Saint Anne's Church Cemetery, Middletown, New Castle County, Delaware, USA

From Find A Grave: Memorial #66373872

• Letitia (Ross) Green; Find A Grave: Memorial #66373872; Created by: TBD; Record added: DATE ; date accessed: DATE
  • Headstone photo: [10]; Added by NAME, DATE

George Hall Ross

Birth: 20 Jul 1844

Death: 7 Feb 1861 (aged 16)

Burial: Saint Lukes Cemetery, Seaford, Sussex County, Delaware, USA

From Find A Grave: Memorial #72932330

• George Hall Ross; Find A Grave: Memorial #72932330; Created by: TBD; Record added: DATE ; date accessed: DATE
  • Headstone photo: [11]; Added by NAME, DATE

James Jefferson Ross

Birth: 1846

Death: 1934 (aged 87–88)

Burial: Saint Lukes Cemetery, Seaford, Sussex County, Delaware, USA

From Find A Grave: Memorial #72932334

• James Jefferson Ross; Find A Grave: Memorial #72932334; Created by: TBD; Record added: DATE ; date accessed: DATE
  • Headstone photo: [12]; Added by NAME, DATE

Willie Madison Ross

Birth: 1848

Death: 1910 (aged 61–62)

Burial: Saint Lukes Cemetery, Seaford, Sussex County, Delaware, USA

From Find A Grave: Memorial #72932342

• Willie Madison Ross ; Find A Grave: Memorial #72932342; Created by: TBD; Record added: DATE ; date accessed: DATE
  • Headstone photo: [13]; Added by NAME, DATE

Edgar Calhoun Ross

Birth: 25 Mar 1850

Delaware, USA

Death: 19 Jul 1926 (aged 76)

Seaford, Sussex County, Delaware, USA

Burial : Odd Fellows Cemetery, Seaford, Sussex County, Delaware, USA

From Find A Grave: Memorial #121452686

• Edgar Calhoun Ross ; Find A Grave: Memorial #121452686; Created by: TBD; Record added: DATE ; date accessed: DATE
  • Headstone photo: [14]; Added by NAME, DATE

Sarah A. Hall “Sallie” Ross Skillern

Birth: 20 Jan 1852 Seaford, Sussex County, Delaware, USA

Death: 23 Jul 1911 (aged 59)

Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, USA

Burial: Westminster Cemetery, Bala Cynwyd, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, USA

From Find A Grave: Memorial #81620181

• Sarah A. Hall “Sallie” Ross Skillern; Find A Grave: Memorial #81620181; Created by: TBD; Record added: DATE ; date accessed: DATE
  • Headstone photo: [15]; Added by NAME, DATE

Mary Green Ross Fisher

Birth: 1857

Delaware, USA

Death: unknown

Mount Olivet Cemetery, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, Utah, USA

Plot: M-183-8

From Find A Grave: Memorial #179716672

• Mary Green Ross Fisher; Find A Grave: Memorial #179716672; Created by: TBD; Record added: DATE ; date accessed: DATE
  • Headstone photo: [16]; Added by NAME, DATE

Occupation

Farmer^[4]

Governor 1 term ^[4]

Hobbies

Interesting facts

Educated at Laurel Delaware Academy and Claremount Academy in Pa.

Military Service: Head of a local Cavalry Company in 1849

His brother James was murdered in Monticello, Ga. in 1833

Was a "Southern Sympathizer" who aided the Confederate army and fled to England during the height of the Civil War.

Also served: No other Political Office

Youngest Individual ever elected to office (Age 36)

Elected as Delaware's 38th Governor served from January 21,1851 to January 16, 1855

27th Governor to be elected to office

Years of Elected Service to Delaware: " 4 " ^[4]

Religion

Methodist

Death & Legacy

Ross died at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on June 29, 1887, ^[7] and is buried in the St. Luke's Episcopal Churchyard in Seaford Delaware.

The Gov. William H. Ross House was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. ^[8]

See also: Governor Ross Mansion and Plantation ^[4]

Obituary

Grave Marker Identification

Grave Stone [9]

William Henry Harrison Ross

Birth: 2 Jun 1814

Laurel, Sussex County, Delaware, USA

Death: 30 Jun 1887 (aged 73)

Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, USA

Burial: Saint Lukes Cemetery, Seaford, Sussex County, Delaware, USA

• William Henry Harrison Ross; ^[9]
  • Headstone photo: [17]; Added by Laura, 4 November 207 ^[9]

Places with more information

Delaware Historical Society; website; 505 North Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801; (302) 655-7161

University of Delaware; Library website; 181 South College Avenue, Newark, Delaware 19717; (302) 831-2965

Governor Ross Mansion and Plantation; 203 High Street, Seaford, Delaware 19973; (302) 628-9829

Research Notes

1. Governor Ross Mansion and Plantation Facebook Page

2. The Ross Mansion Historical Museum

3. Seaford Historical Society

4. William H. H. Ross on Wikipedia ^[1]

Following his term as governor, Ross began construction of this Italian Villa style house. This was a popular 19th century architectural style.

This structure evolved from the original brick two story Federal style house built by the John Tennent family. Tennent purchased this land about 1776 and sold it to the Governor's father in 1836. A wooden section of the original structure is located in the back-right corner.

To celebrate completion of their home, Governor and Mrs. Ross hosted a house warming party October, 1860.

Governor Ross was instrumental in extending the railroad from Dover to Seaford. He took advantage of this economic opportunity to ship goods to the city since the rails passed through the middle of his 1398 acres. A small "whistle stop" railroad station was constructed across from his house.

Can you identify three characteristics of Italian Villa style structures?

· A three-story tower: the Victorian answer to air conditioning by promoting air circulation throughout the house · Arched windows and doors · Decorative brackets under the eaves

The Interior of this thirteen room house features:

· Many Ross family furnishings and memorabilia · Other Victorian Period furniture, artwork, wall coverings, lighting, and interior wooden shutters · Original, detailed engraved ceiling moldings and medallions · Personal objects interpreting everyday 19th century life

The Seaford Historical Society owns and maintains 20 acres of the original plantation.

[18] ^[10]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4} William H. H. Ross on Wikipedia
2. ↑ Seaford Historical Society
3. ↑ https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_H._H._Ross#cite_note-1
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4} Deleware Governors page on William Henry Harrison Ross
5. ↑ https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_H._H._Ross#cite_note-2
6. ↑ https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_H._H._Ross#cite_note-3
7. ↑ https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_H._H._Ross#cite_note-4
8. ↑ https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_H._H._Ross#cite_note-nris-5
9. ↑ ^{9.0 9.1 9.2} Find A Grave, database and images (accessed 19 July 2018), memorial page for William Henry Harrison Ross (2 Jun 1814–30 Jun 1887), Find A Grave: Memorial #7498948, citing Saint Lukes Cemetery, Seaford, Sussex County, Delaware, USA ; Maintained by Find A Grave .
10. ↑ https://www.historicalmarkerproject.com/markers/view.php?marker_id=HM1CYB, © 2014-2015 Historical Marker Project.

• William H. H. Ross on Wikipedia
• Conrad, Henry C. (1908). History of the State of Delaware. Lancaster, Pennsylvania: Wickersham Company.Hancock, Harold B. (1961). Delaware During the Civil War.
• Wilmington, Delaware: Historical Society of Delaware.Hoffecker, Carol E. (2004).
• Democracy in Delaware. Wilmington, Delaware: Cedar Tree Books. ISBN 1-892142-23-6. Martin, Roger A. (1984).
• A History of Delaware Through its Governors. Wilmington, Delaware: McClafferty Press. Scharf, John Thomas (1888).
• History of Delaware 1609-1888. 2 vols. Philadelphia: L. J. Richards & Co. ISBN 0-87413-493-5. Wilson, Emerson. (1969). Forgotten Heroes of Delaware. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Deltos Publishing Company.

Acknowledgements

• This profile would not be possible without the assistance of the Seaford Historical Society, and the Ross Museum and Plantation.