William H. Wells
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| William H. Wells | |
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| May 21, 1813 – March 3, 1817 | |
| Preceded by | James A. Bayard |
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| Succeeded by | Nicholas Van Dyke |
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| January 17, 1799 – November 6, 1804 | |
| Preceded by | Joshua Clayton |
| Succeeded by | James A. Bayard |
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| Born | January 7, 1769 Burlington New Jersey |
| Died | March 11, 1829 Dagsboro Delaware |
| Residence | Dagsboro Delaware |
| Political party | Federalist |
| Spouse | Rachael Dagworthy |
| Profession | lawyer |
William Hill Wells (January 7, 1769 – March 11, 1829) was a lawyer and politician from Dagsboro, in Sussex County Delaware. He was a member of the Federalist Party, who served in the Delaware General Assembly and as U.S. Senator from Delaware.
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[edit] Early life and family
Wells was born January 7, 1769 in Burlington New Jersey. His family came to Sussex County when he was young, and his father began a successful mercantile business at Dagsboro, which the younger Wells continued. His marriage to Rachael Dagworthy, the daughter of Revolutionary General John Dagworthy, greatly increased his wealth, as she had inherited large tracts of Sussex County timberlands. Meanwhile he studied the law, was admitted to the bar in 1791, and practiced at Georgetown Delaware, eventually expanding to Dover Delaware.
[edit] Political career
Wells represented Sussex County for several years in the Delaware General Assembly, initially serving in the State House from the 1795 session through the 1799 session. He was then elected as a Federalist to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Joshua Clayton and served from January 17, 1799 until November 6, 1804. During this time he joined his Federalist colleagues in opposition to the Louisiana Purchase. He resigned before the completion of his term to seek his fortune in the oil business in northern Pennsylvania. He returned to the State House for the 1811 and 1812 sessions, and spent the 1813 session in the State Senate. He was again elected as a Federalist to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of James A. Bayard, and served from May 28, 1813, to March 3, 1817. Finally, he served once more in the 1819 session of the State House.
All the while he continued the practice of law in Dagsboro and Millsboro, and became heavily involved in the oil business in Pennsylvania, where the town of Wellsboro Pennsylvania was named in his honor.
[edit] Death and legacy
Wells died March 11, 1829 near Dagsboro Delaware, and is buried in Prince George’s Churchyard, near Dagsboro.
[edit] Public offices
Elections were held the first Tuesday of October. Members of the Delaware General Assembly took office on the first Tuesday of January, with the State Senate serving a three year term, and the State House a one year term. The General Assembly chose the U.S Senators, who took office March 4 and served for a six year term.
| Office | Type | Location | Elected | Took Office | Left Office | notes |
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| State Representative | Legislature | Dover | 1794 | January 6, 1795 | January 5, 1796 | |
| State Representative | Legislature | Dover | 1795 | January 5, 1796 | January 3, 1797 | |
| State Representative | Legislature | Dover | 1796 | January 3, 1797 | January 2, 1798 | |
| State Representative | Legislature | Dover | 1797 | January 2, 1798 | January 1, 1799 | |
| State Representative | Legislature | Dover | 1798 | January 1, 1799 | January 7, 1800 | |
| U.S. Senator | Legislature | Philadelphia | January 17, 1799 | March 3, 1799 | class 2 [1] | |
| U.S. Senator | Legislature | Washington [2] | March 4, 1799 | November 6, 1804 | class 2 [3] | |
| State Representative | Legislature | Dover | 1810 | January 1, 1811 | January 7, 1812 | |
| State Representative | Legislature | Dover | 1811 | January 7, 1812 | January 6, 1813 | |
| State Senator | Legislature | Dover | 1812 | January 6, 1813 | January 5, 1814 | |
| U.S. Senator | Legislature | Washington | May 21, 1813 | March 3, 1817 | class 2 [4] | |
| State Representative | Legislature | Dover | 1818 | January 5, 1819 | January 4, 1820 |
[edit] Notes
- ^ elected to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Joshua Clayton, seated February 4, 1799
- ^ The U.S. Senate met at Philadelphia until May 14, 1800
- ^ resigned
- ^ elected to fill vacancy caused by resignation of James A. Bayard in preceding Congress, seated June 10, 1813
[edit] References
- Martin, Roger A. (1995). Memoirs of the Senate. Newark: Roger A. Martin.
- Munroe, John A. (1954). Federalist Delaware 1775-1815. New Brunswick: Rutgers University.
- Wilson, W. Emerson (1969). Forgotten Heroes of Delaware. Cambridge, MA: Deltos Publishing Company.
[edit] External links
- Appletons' Cyclopedia of American Biography [1]
- Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress [2]
- Delaware’s U.S. Senator’s [3]
- Documentary History of the First Federal Congress [4]
- Find A Grave [5]
- History of Delaware 1609-1888 [6]
- Political Graveyard [7]
[edit] Places with more information
- Historical Society of Delaware [8] 505 Market St., Wilmington, Delaware (302) 655-7161
- University of Delaware Library [9] 181 South College Ave., Newark, Delaware (302) 831-2965
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