The first and third Governor of the Vermont Republic and the first Governor of the state of Vermont. Thomas was a farmer and later, developed his early leadership abilities, by serving in various local offices, including, justice of peace. He held the rank of colonel, in the Connecticut Colonial Militia, from 1756 to 1760, during the French and Indian War. Chittenden served as a member of the Connecticut Colonial General Assembly, from 1765 to 1772. In 1774, he left Connecticut and moved to the New Hampshire Grants, the territory later, to be known as Vermont. Chittenden was the Williston area's first white settler and good friend of the Vermont Patriots, Ethan and Ira Allen. He served as a member of the council that prepared Vermont's first request for statehood in 1777. When it was rejected by the Continental Congress, Vermont declared itself an independent Republic, of which he became Governor, serving from 1778 to 1789 and 1790 to 1791. When Vermont joined the Union as the 14th state in 1791, Thomas Chittenden was elected the first Governor, serving from 1791 to 1797. Chittenden County and the town of Chittenden in Rutland County are named for him. His son, Martin, also served as the second Governor of the state of Vermont, and several other sons were active in Vermont politics and the State Militia.

The first and third Governor of the Vermont Republic and the first Governor of the state of Vermont. Thomas was a farmer and later, developed his early leadership abilities, by serving in various local offices, including, justice of peace. He held the rank of colonel, in the Connecticut Colonial Militia, from 1756 to 1760, during the French and Indian War. Chittenden served as a member of the Connecticut Colonial General Assembly, from 1765 to 1772. In 1774, he left Connecticut and moved to the New Hampshire Grants, the territory later, to be known as Vermont. Chittenden was the Williston area's first white settler and good friend of the Vermont Patriots, Ethan and Ira Allen. He served as a member of the council that prepared Vermont's first request for statehood in 1777. When it was rejected by the Continental Congress, Vermont declared itself an independent Republic, of which he became Governor, serving from 1778 to 1789 and 1790 to 1791. When Vermont joined the Union as the 14th state in 1791, Thomas Chittenden was elected the first Governor, serving from 1791 to 1797. Chittenden County and the town of Chittenden in Rutland County are named for him. His son, Martin, also served as the second Governor of the state of Vermont, and several other sons were active in Vermont politics and the State Militia.

What was Thomas famous for?