Gunning Bedford Jr. represented the State of Delaware in the Continental Congress and later served as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention. He went on to become a federal district judge for the United States District Court for the District of Delaware.
Early Life
Gunning Bedford Jr. was born in 1747, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He came from a prominent family that could trace its roots to Jamestown. Bedford attended the College of New Jersey, which would become Princeton University. His roommate was another founding father — James Madison. Upon graduating, Bedford studied law in New York and later opened a law practice in Dover, Delaware. Around 1772, Bedford married Jane Ballareau Parker. They went on to have five children.
During the Revolutionary War, Bedford served as Deputy-Muster-General for New York in the Continental Army. He was promoted to Muster-master-general and possibly served as an aide to General Washington. In 1784, Bedford became the Attorney General of Delaware.
Constitutional Convention
Representing Delaware, Bedford was an active member of the Constitutional Convention. He fought for the protection of the smaller states. However, Bedford’s threat that “the small ones would find some foreign ally of more honor and good faith, who will take them by the hand and do them justice” was deemed treasonous by his fellow delegates.
Bedford eventually backed down and went on to serve on the member of the committee that drafted the Great Compromise. Georgia delegate William Pierce described Bedford as a “bold” speaker, with “a very commanding and striking manner.” At the same time, Pierce said Bedford was a “warm and impetuous in his temper and precipitate in his judgement.”
Later Public Service
Bedford attended Delaware’s ratifying convention and helped Delaware become the first state to ratify the new Constitution. In 1789, he resigned as Delaware Attorney General. He went on to serve as a presidential elector, voting for George Washington in 1789 and 1793. In 1789, Washington appointed Bedford to be a federal district judge of the United States District Court for the District of Delaware. He died on March 30, 1812.
