PITKIN, William, Governor [~1693-1769] -- American politician

PITKIN, William, governor of Connecticut, was born in Hartford, Conn., April 30, 1694; son of William (1664-1723) and Elizabeth (Stanley) Pitkin, grandson of William (1635-1694) and Hannah (Goodwin) Pitkin, and of Capt. Caleb and Hannah (Cowles) Stanley. His father, a noted jurist, prepared him for the law, and in 1715 he became town collector. He was married to Mary, daughter of the Rev. Timothy and Mabel (Wyllys) Woodbridge of Hartford, Conn. He represented Hartford in the colonial assembly, 1729-34, serving as speaker in 1732; was captain in the colonial militia in 1730 and colonel in 1739; was a member of the colonial council, 1734; judge of the county court, 1735-41; judge of the superior court, 1741-54; and chief justice, 1754-66; lieutenant-governor of Connecticut, 1754-66; and a delegate to the Albany convention of June 19, 1754, where he was chosen a member of the committee to prepare a plan of colonial union. He was the first to resist the "stamp act," 1765, refusing with Governor Fitch and the members of his council to take the oath to support it. He was governor of Connecticut, 1766-69, defeating Governer Fitch by a majority so great that the votes were not counted. Jonathan Trumbull was at the same time elected lieutenant-governor, and succeeded to the governorship. Governor Pitkin died in East Hartford, Conn., Oct. 1, 1769. [Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans]