Richard H. Bayard

Richard Henry Bayard (September 26, 1796 – March 4, 1868) was an American lawyer and politician from Wilmington, Delaware. He was a member of the Whig Party, who served as the first Mayor of Wilmington, Chief Justice of the Delaware Superior Court, and as U.S. Senator from Delaware.

Early life

Bayard was born in Wilmington, Delaware, on September 26, 1796, the son of James A. Bayard Sr. and Nancy ( Bassett) Bayard. His father was a member of the Federalist Party, who served as U.S. Representative from Delaware and U.S. Senator from Delaware. His mother was the daughter of another U.S. Senator from Delaware, Richard Bassett. His younger brother, James A. Bayard Jr., was also a U.S. Senator from Delaware.

Bayard graduated from Princeton College in 1814, studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 1818. His practice was in Wilmington, where he became the first mayor of the newly incorporated city in 1832.

Career

In 1836, Bayard was elected as an Anti-Jacksonian to the United States Senate, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of U.S. Senator Arnold Naudain. He served from June 17, 1836, to September 19, 1839, when he resigned to become Chief Justice of the Delaware Supreme Court. He served in that capacity for two years, from 1839 to 1841, when he resigned, being once again elected to the United States Senate, this time as a Whig. She was the daughter of Charles Carroll of Homewood, the only surviving son of U.S. Senator Charles Carroll, a signer of the United States Declaration of Independence, and Harriett ( Chew) Carroll, daughter of Judge Benjamin Chew. Together, they were the parents of seven children, including:

Mary Louisa Bayard (1822–1889), who married William Henry Beck. After his death in 1859, she married Col. Manlio Bettarini, adjutant of King Victor Emmanuel II of Italy. Caroline Bayard (1824–1895), who married Henry Baring Powel, a son of John Hare Powel and Julia ( Deveaux) Powel, a daughter of Andrew Deveaux Elizabeth Bayard (1826–1885), who married Col. Frederick Henry Rich of the English Army, in 1848 Richard Bassett Bayard (1831–1878), who married Ellen Howard, a daughter of Gen. Benjamin Chew Howard, a son of Gen. John Eager Howard, and Jane Grant ( Gilmor) Howard, a daughter of merchant William Daniel Gilmor and niece of art collector Robert Gilmor Jr., in 1860. Sarah A. Bayard (1835–1880), who died unmarried

Almanac The General Assembly chose the U.S. Senators, who took office March 4 for a six-year term. In this case, he was initially completing the existing term, the vacancy caused by the resignation of Arnold Naudain. However, he resigned the position before the term ended only to accept appointment over a year later in a new term which he completed. Between his resignation and appointment, the position was vacant.

Public offices Office Type Location Began office Ended office NotesU.S. SenatorLegislatureWashingtonJune 17, 1836September 19, 1839 U.S. SenatorLegislatureWashingtonJanuary 12, 1841March 3, 1845

United States congressional service Dates Congress Chamber Majority President Committees Class/District1836–183724thU.S. SenateDemocraticAndrew Jacksonclass 11837–183925thU.S. SenateDemocraticMartin Van Burenclass 11839–184126thU.S. SenateDemocraticMartin Van Burenclass 11841–184327thU.S. SenateWhigWilliam Henry HarrisonJohn TylerPrivate Land ClaimsDistrict of Columbiaclass 11843–184528thU.S. SenateWhigJohn Tyler Naval Affairs class 1