Martin W. Bates
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Martin W. Bates | |
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United States Senator from Delaware | |
In office January 14, 1857 – March 3, 1859 | |
Preceded by | Joseph P. Comegys |
Succeeded by | Willard Saulsbury, Sr. |
Member of the Delaware House of Representatives | |
In office January 5, 1819 - January 4, 1820 January 3, 1826 - January 1, 1828 | |
Personal details | |
Born | Salisbury, Connecticut | February 24, 1786
Died | January 1, 1869 Dover, Delaware | (aged 82)
Political party | Federalist Democratic |
Spouse | Mary Hillyard |
Residence(s) | Dover, Delaware |
Profession | Lawyer |
Martin Waltham Bates (February 24, 1786 – January 1, 1869) was a lawyer and politician from Dover, in Kent County, Delaware. He was a member of the Federalist Party, and then the Democratic Party, who served in the Delaware General Assembly and as U.S. Senator from Delaware.
Early life and family[edit]
Bates was born in Salisbury, Connecticut. He married Mary Hillyard, the daughter of Charles Hillyard. They lived in Dover, at "Woodburn," presently the Delaware Governor's mansion, and were members of the Presbyterian Church. After moving to Delaware, Bates taught school, studied medicine and the law. He was admitted to the Bar in 1822, and practiced in Dover the remainder of his life.
Political career[edit]
Bates served in the State House in the 1826 session and was a member of the Delaware Constitutional Convention of 1852. He became U.S. Senator in 1857 when he was elected by the General Assembly to fill the vacancy caused by the death of U.S. Senator John M. Clayton, which had been briefly filled by the appointment of Joseph P. Comegys. He served only the remainder of the term, from January 14, 1857, to March 3, 1859, as he was defeated for reelection in 1858 by Willard Saulsbury, Sr.
Death and legacy[edit]
Bates died at Dover and is buried there in the Old Presbyterian Cemetery, on the grounds of the Delaware State Museum.
Almanac[edit]
Elections were held the first Tuesday of October. Members of the General Assembly took office on the first Tuesday of January. State Representatives had a term of one year. The General Assembly chose the U.S. Senators, who took office March 4 for a six-year term. They also chose the delegates to the Constitutional Convention of 1852.
Public Offices | ||||||
Office | Type | Location | Began office | Ended office | notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
State Representative | Legislature | Dover | January 5, 1819 | January 4, 1820 | ||
State Representative | Legislature | Dover | January 3, 1826 | January 2, 1827 | ||
State Representative | Legislature | Dover | January 2, 1827 | January 1, 1828 | ||
Delegate | Convention | Dover | 1852 | 1852 | State Constitution | |
U.S. Senator | Legislature | Washington | January 14, 1857 | March 3, 1859 |
Delaware General Assembly service | ||||||
Dates | Congress | Chamber | Majority | Governor | Committees | Class/District |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1819 | 62nd | State House | Federalist | Jacob Stout | Kent at-large | |
1826 | 65th | State House | Federalist | Charles Polk | Kent at-large | |
1827 | 65th | State House | Federalist | Charles Polk | Kent at-large |
United States Congressional service | ||||||
Dates | Congress | Chamber | Majority | President | Committees | Class/District |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1856–1857 | 34th | U.S. Senate | Democratic | Franklin Pierce | class 2 | |
1857–1859 | 35th | U.S. Senate | Democratic | James Buchanan | class 2 |
References[edit]
- Hoffecker, Carol E. (2004). Democracy in Delaware. Wilmington, DE: Cedar Tree Books. ISBN 1-892142-23-6.
- Munroe, John A. (1993). History of Delaware. Newark, DE: University of Delaware Press. ISBN 0-87413-493-5.
- Scharf, John Thomas (1888). History of Delaware 1609-1888. 2 vols. Philadelphia: L. J. Richards & Co.
- Martin, Roger A. (1995). Memoirs of the Senate. Newark, DE: Roger A. Martin.
External links[edit]
- Biographical Dictionary of the United States Congress
- Delaware’s Members of Congress
- Martin W. Bates at Find a Grave
- The Political Graveyard
- Biographical Dictionary of the United States Congress; portrait courtesy of the Library of Congress.
- 1786 births
- 1869 deaths
- People from Dover, Delaware
- American Presbyterians
- Delaware lawyers
- Delaware Federalists
- Democratic Party members of the Delaware House of Representatives
- Democratic Party United States senators from Delaware
- Burials in Dover, Delaware
- 19th-century American legislators
- 19th-century American lawyers