James Sykes (delegate)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
-
This article is about the Continental Congressman from Delaware, for other persons with the same name, see James Sykes (disambiguation).
| James Sykes | |
 |
|
| Continental Congressman | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1752 New Castle County, Delaware |
| Died | April 4, 1792 Dover, Delaware |
| Residence | Dover, Delaware |
| Religion | Episcopalian |
| Spouse | Agnes |
James Sykes (1725 – April 4, 1792) was an American lawyer and politician from Dover, in Kent County, Delaware. He served in the Delaware General Assembly and was a Continental Congressman from Delaware.
Contents |
[edit] Early life and family
Sykes was born in 1725, probably in New Castle, Delaware. He married Agnes Bell and had eight children: James, Stephen, George, Nathaniel, Ann, Harriet, Lucy Matilda, and Mary. They lived in Dover, Delaware. They were members of Christ Episcopal Church.
[edit] Political career
Sykes served as a lieutenant under Caesar Rodney in the Dover Militia in 1756. In 1776 he was a delegate to the Delaware State Constitutional Convention held at Dover. From November 7, 1776 until January 10, 1777 Sykes served on the Council of Safety, a body which was appointed to act as the state's executive until the Delaware General Assembly was able to choose the state's first President and Privy Council. He served in the Continental Congress most of 1777. Also in 1777, Sykes was appointed Kent County Clerk of the Peace and Kent County Prothonotary. He served in these posts for the remainder of his life. Sykes served on the state's Privy Council in 1780, and in the state's second Constitutional Convention in 1792 until his death. He was appointed Judge of the High Court of Errors and Appeals of Delaware in 1792 and served until his death later that year.
[edit] Death and legacy
Sykes died in Dover, Delaware on April 4, 1792 and is buried at Christ Episcopal Church there. His son, James Sykes, Jr., served as Governor of Delaware, and his great-grandson George served as a Major General in the American Civil War.
[edit] Public offices
From 1776 until 1792 Delaware elections were held on the first day of October of the year noted. Terms for members of the General Assembly began on the twentieth day of October. Members of the Legislative Council had a term of three years. Three State Councilmen were elected, at large, from each county.
| Office | Type | Location | Elected | Took Office | Left Office | notes |
| State Constitution | Convention | Dover | August 27, 1776 | September 20, 1776 | Delaware | |
| Council of Safety | Legislature | New Castle | November 7, 1776 | January 10, 1777 | ||
| State Council | Legislature | New Castle | 1776 | October 28, 1776 | October 20, 1777 | |
| Continental Congress | Legislature | Philadelphia | February 22, 1777 | December 17, 1777 | ||
| State Constitution | Convention | Dover | 1791 | November 1791 | April 4, 1792 | Delaware |
[edit] References
- Hoffecker, Carol E. (2004). Democracy in Delaware. Cedar Tree Books, Wilmington. ISBN 1-892142-23-6.
- Martin, Roger A. (1995). Memoirs of the Senate. Newark.
- Munroe, John A. (1993). History of Delaware. University of Delaware Press. ISBN 0-87413-493-5.
- Martin, Roger A. (1984). A History of Delaware Through its Governors. McClafferty Press, Wilmington.
- Munroe, John A. (1954). Federalist Delaware 1775-1815. Rutgers University, New Brunswick.
- Scharf, John Thomas. (1888). History of Delaware 1609-1888. 2 vols.. L. J. Richards & Co., Philadelphia.
- Pickett, Russell S. Delaware and U.S.History.
[edit] External links
- The Political Graveyard. James Sykes.
- U.S. Congress. James Sykes, Sr.
- Yale Law School. Ratification of the Constitution by the State of Delaware; December 7, 1787.
[edit] Places with more information
- University of Delaware Library 181 South College Ave., Newark, Delaware (302) 831-2965.
- Newark Free Library 750 Library Ave.,Newark Delaware (302) 731-7550.
- Corbit-Calloway Memorial Library 2nd and High St. Odessa Delaware (302)378-8838.
- Historical Society of Delaware 505 Market St., Wilmington, Delaware (302) 655-7161.
|
