Thomas Cooper

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.

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.

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.

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.

Election resultsYearOfficeSubjectPartyvotes%OpponentPartyvotes%1812U.S. Representative Thomas Cooper Federalist 4,183 28% Richard C. Dale Republican 3,210 22%1814U.S. Representative Thomas Cooper Federalist 3,960 30% Willard Hall Republican 2,547 20%