Thomas Cooper (American politician, born 1764) explained

Thomas Cooper
State1:Delaware
District1:second at-large
Term Start1:March 4, 1813
Term End1:March 3, 1817
Predecessor1:Seat gained in reapportionment
Successor1:Willard Hall
Office2:Member of the Delaware Senate
Term2:January 6, 1808 – January 6, 1811
Office3:Member of the Delaware House of Representatives
Term3:January 6, 1803 – January 6, 1808
Birth Place:Little Creek Hundred, Delaware Colony, British America
Death Place:Georgetown, Delaware, U.S.
Parents:Isaac Cooper and Comfort Townsend Barkley Cooper
Relations:Governor William B. Cooper
Party:Federalist
Residence:Georgetown, Delaware
Profession:Lawyer, politician

Thomas Cooper (1764–1829) was a Delaware lawyer and politician who was a Federalist member of the United States House of Representatives. He served in the 13th and 14th congresses.

Early life and career

Cooper was born in Little Creek Hundred in the Delaware Colony, the son of Isaac and Comfort Townsend Barkley Cooper. Cooper's grandfather, Barkley Townsend, came to Laurel in 1768 from Dorchester County, Maryland, and at one time owned nearly the whole area. His father Isaac served in the Delaware General Assembly, and was a member of the Delaware convention that ratified the U.S. Constitution in 1787. Isaac was also a member of the 1792 Delaware Constitutional Convention. Cooper's brother was Governor William B. Cooper.[1]

Cooper completed his preparatory studies at his home in Little Creek Hundred. After studying the law with James P. Wilson, he was admitted to the Delaware Bar in 1805 and began a lifelong practice at Georgetown.[1]

Political career

Cooper was a member of the Federalist Party and began his political career as a member of the State House of Representatives, where he served from 1803 to 1807. He then served a term in the State Senate from 1808 to 1810, until he was elected to the House of Representatives in 1813. Cooper served in the House from March 4, 1813, to March 3, 1817.[2]

After leaving Congress

In 1817 Cooper retired from the U.S. House, but continued the practice of law in Georgetown until his death. Among Cooper's students were Edward Wooten and Caleb S. Layton. Cooper was regarded as a professional and knowledgeable lawyer to his peers.[2]

Cooper died at Georgetown in 1829 and was buried in the Cooper family cemetery near Laurel.

Almanac

Elections were held the first Tuesday of October and members of the General Assembly took office the first Tuesday of January. State Senators had a three-year term and State Representatives terms of one year. U.S. Representatives took office March 4 and have a two-year term.


Public offices
OfficeTypeLocationBegan officeEnded officeNotes
State HouseLegislatureDoverJanuary 6, 1803January 6, 1808
State SenatorLegislatureDoverJanuary 6, 1808January 5, 1811
U.S. RepresentativeLegislatureWashingtonMarch 4, 1813March 3, 1817
Delaware General Assembly service
DatesAssemblyChamberMajorityGovernorCommitteesDistrict
180328thState HouseFederalistDavid HallSussex at-large
180429thState HouseFederalistNathaniel MitchellSussex at-large
180530thState HouseFederalistNathaniel MitchellSussex at-large
180631stState HouseFederalistNathaniel MitchellSussex at-large
180732ndState HouseFederalistGeorge TruittSussex at-large
180833rdState SenateFederalistGeorge TruittSussex at-large
180934thState SenateFederalistGeorge TruittSussex at-large
181035thState SenateFederalistJoseph HasletSussex at-large
United States congressional service
DatesCongressChamberMajorityPresidentCommitteesClass/District
1813–181513thU.S. HouseRepublicanJames Madison2nd at-large
1815–181714thU.S. HouseRepublicanJames Madison2nd at-large
Election results
YearOfficeSubjectPartyvotes%OpponentPartyvotes%
1812U.S. RepresentativeThomas CooperFederalist4,18328%Richard C. DaleRepublican3,21022%
1814U.S. RepresentativeThomas CooperFederalist3,96030%Willard HallRepublican2,54720%

Further reading

External links


Notes and References

  1. Book: Scharf, John Thomas . General History . 1888 . L. J. Richards . 573 .
  2. Book: Conrad, Henry Clay . History of the State of Delaware, Volume 3 . 1908 . Henry Clay Conrad . 1027 .