Joseph Haslet Joseph Haslet ( 1769 – June 20 , 1823 ) was an American planter and politician from Cedar Creek Village in Cedar Creek Hundred , Sussex County , Delaware . He was a member of the Democratic - Republican Party , who served twice as Governor of Delaware . Early life and family . Haslet was born in Milford , Delaware , son of Colonel John Haslet and Jemima Molleston Brinkle Haslet . Colonel John Haslet was the commander of the Delaware Regiment in the Continental Army and was killed at the Battle of Princeton in January 1777 . Jemima Haslet died a month later " of an inflammation in the throat and lungs . " Chief Justice William Killen became guardian for the children and eventually Joseph was apprenticed to a watchmaker in Wilmington . After he came of age he bought a farm in Cedar Creek Hundred in Sussex County . He first married Mary Draper , with whom he one child , Nathaniel . He later married Rachel Hickman and they had at least three children . Professional and political career . Haslet ran for Governor in 1804 , losing to the Federalist candidate , Nathaniel Mitchell , and again in 1807 , again losing to the Federalist candidate , George Truitt . Finally , in 1810 he squeaked out a victory against Federalist candidate Daniel Rodney and began his first term as Governor of Delaware , serving from January 15 , 1811 until January 18 , 1814 . The War of 1812 was the central event of Haslet ' s tenure as Governor . Entry into the War of 1812 was not met with much approval from Federalist Delaware , but Haslet was a Democrat and called the General Assembly into special session to raise militia . Carol Hoffecker in " Democracy in Delaware " describes him saying : " ' Without your aid , ' the governor told the predominantly Federalist legislators , ' compliance is impossible . ' The militia was in shambles , he said , without arms or organization . But he was certain that Delaware would rise to the challenge . ' In this state it is not a question of whether the authority of the United States is to be respected . The State of Delaware will never hesitate to cooperate with her sister states in defending the common rights of the nation . ' " The General Assembly then voted to create a 1 , 000 man militia and appropriated $ 25 , 000 to equip them . At first , there were several exciting naval victories , including the capture of the British ship " Frolic " by Captain Jacob Jones of Smyrna , Delaware . He was brother - in - law of former Governor James Sykes . By February 1813 , however , the British sent fleets into both the Delaware and Chesapeake Bays . For protection an encampment was built at " the Rocks " in Wilmington , Captain Caleb P . Bennett fortified New Castle , and Pea Patch Island was deeded to the U . S . Government so that there might be a fort built there . Lewes was completely exposed and , as expected , received repeated demands for supplies by the British fleet . Haslet and the militia rushed to Lewes ' defense . Having refused the demands , on April 6 , 1813 Lewes was subjected to a furious all day bombardment , followed by a half - hearted landing the next day . The bombardment actually did little damage . Scharf ' s account reports " one chicken was killed and one pig wounded , " but over 300 cannon balls were picked up , including 40 or 50 that were 32 pounders . The landing the next day was beaten off as well . By June the British simply landed at Milford and took what they needed . Meanwhile the other British fleet was sailing the Chesapeake , raiding Havre de Grace , Georgetown , and Frenchtown , keeping everyone in New Castle County very nervous . Eight years after leaving office Haslet ran for Governor again and was elected by an even narrower margin than the first time , beating the Federalist candidate James Booth . It was a bitter campaign . Haslet was accused of being a former slave owner , and neglecting the Lewes defenses in 1813 . Booth , on the other hand , was accused of being a Loyalist during the American Revolution . Haslet became the only man in the 19th century to win two terms as Governor , but his combined victory margins were less than 100 votes . He served from January 21 , 1823 for only five months until his death on June 20 , 1823 . Death and legacy . Haslet died at Cedar Creek Village in Cedar Creek Hundred , Sussex County . He was first buried on his farm at Cedar Creek Village , but was moved in 1917 to the Odd Fellows Cemetery at Milford . He appears to have died without any heirs , his only son , Nathaniel , having died in 1812 and his second wife , Rachael , in 1820 . He was the fourth Governor of Delaware to die in office . There is no known portrait of Joseph Haslet . Almanac . Elections were held the first Tuesday of October . The Governor takes office the third Tuesday of January and had a three - year term .