Martin W. Bates

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

Bates was born February 24, 1786 in Salisbury, Connecticut. He married Mary Hillyard, the daughter of Charles Hillyard. They lived in Dover, at "Woodburn," presently the 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 Delaware Bar in 1822, and practiced in Dover the remainder of his life.

Political career

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

Bates died January 1, 1869 in Dover, Delaware, and is buried in the old Presbyterian Cemetery, now at the Delaware State Museum, in Dover.

Vorlage:S-start Vorlage:S-off Vorlage:S-bef Vorlage:S-ttl Vorlage:S-aft Vorlage:End

Public offices

At this time Delaware elections were held the first Tuesday of October and members of the General Assembly took office on the first Tuesday of January. The State House had a term of one year. Seven State Assemblymen were elected, at large, from each county. The General Assembly chose the U.S. Senators, who took office March 4, and normally served for a six year term.

Office	Type	Location	Party	Elected	Took Office	Left Office	notes
State House	Legislature	Dover	Federalist	October 6, 1818	January 5, 1819	January 4, 1820
State House	Legislature	Dover	Federalist	October 4, 1825	January 3, 1826	January 2, 1827
State House	Legislature	Dover	Federalist	October 3, 1826	January 2, 1827	January 1, 1828
State Constitution	Convention	Dover	Democratic	1852	January 6, 1852	January 6, 1852	Delaware
U.S. Senator	Legislature	Washington	Democratic	January 14, 1857	March 4, 1857	March 3, 1859	References Carol E. Hoffecker: Democracy in Delaware. Cedar Tree Books, Wilmington, DE 2004, ISBN 1-892142-23-6.  Roger A. Martin: Memoirs of the Senate. Roger A. Martin, Newark, DE 1995.  John A. Munroe: History of Delaware. University of Delaware Press, Newark, DE 1993, ISBN 0-87413-493-5.  Images U.S. Congress: Biographical Dictionary of the U.S. Congress. 2005, abgerufen am 1. Juni 2006.  External links Appletons' Cyclopedia of American Biography: Martin Bates. Virtual American Biographies, Evisum Inc, 1888, abgerufen am 1. Juni 2006.  Russ Pickett: Martin Waltham Bates. Find A Grave, 2003, abgerufen am 1. Juni 2006.  Lawrence Kestenbaum: The Political Graveyard. 2005, abgerufen am 1. Juni 2006.  Russell S Pickett: Delaware and U.S. History. 2005, abgerufen am 1. Juni 2006.  John Thomas Scharf: History of Delaware 1609-1888. Accessible Archives, Inc, 1888, abgerufen am 1. Juni 2006.  U.S. Congress: Biographical Dictionary of the U.S. Congress. 2005, abgerufen am 1. Juni 2006.  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. Seal of the US Senate United States Congress Senate • Senators • Senate Leadership • Senate Committees • Senate elections House • Representatives • House Leadership • House Committees • House elections • Districts 34th Congress • 35th Congress Seal of the US House Seal of the US House