John Jones Milligan (December 10, 1795 – April 20, 1875) was an American lawyer and politician from Wilmington, in New Castle County, Delaware. He was a member of the Whig Party, and served as U.S. Representative from Delaware.
Political career Milligan served eight years representing Delaware in the U.S. House of Representatives. Elected as an Anti-Jacksonian in 1830, he became a member of the Whig Party when it was organized, and served from March 4, 1831, until March 3, 1839. Having been defeated for reelection to a fifth term, he was appointed Associate Judge of the Delaware Superior Court on September 19, 1839, and served until September 16, 1864, when he retired.
Death and legacy Milligan died at his retirement home in Philadelphia and is buried in the Wilmington and Brandywine Cemetery at Wilmington.
Milligan is described in the Diaries of Edmund Canby as follows: "...(he)...is a beautiful speaker, his manner is fine, gestures good, matter well arranged, distinct and clear- certainly one of the most delightful speakers I have ever heard...Milligan would be a splendid speaker with practice...he has many happy hits and some beautiful classical illusions...He is, I am told, a fine classical scholar."
Almanac Elections were held the first Tuesday of October and, beginning 1832, the first Tuesday after November 1. U.S. Representatives took office March 4 and have a two-year term.
+ Public offices Office Type Location Began office Ended office Notes U.S. Representative Legislature Washington March 4, 1831 March 3, 1833 U.S. Representative Legislature Washington March 4, 1833 March 3, 1835 U.S. Representative Legislature Washington March 4, 1835 March 3, 1837 U.S. Representative Legislature Washington March 4, 1837 March 3, 1839 State Superior Court Judicial Dover September 19, 1839 September 16, 1864
+ United States Congressional service Dates Congress Chamber Majority President Committees Class/District1831–183322ndU.S. HouseDemocraticAndrew Jacksonat-large1833–183523rdU.S. HouseDemocraticAndrew Jacksonat-large1835–183724thU.S. HouseDemocraticAndrew Jacksonat-large1837–183825thU.S. HouseDemocraticMartin Van Burenat-large
+ Election resultsYearOfficeSubjectPartyvotes%OpponentPartyvotes%1830U.S. Representative John J. Milligan Whig 4,267 53% Henry M. Ridgely Democratic 3,833 47%1832U.S. Representative John J. Milligan Whig 4,257 51% Martin W. Bates Democratic 4,142 49%1834U.S. Representative John J. Milligan Whig 4,779 51% James A. Bayard Jr. Democratic 4,626 49%1836U.S. Representative John J. Milligan Whig 4,705 53% Martin W. Bates Democratic 4,247 47%1838U.S. Representative John J. Milligan Whig 4,379 50% Thomas Robinson Jr. Democratic 4,437 50%
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References
External links Biographical Directory of the United States Congress Delaware's Members of Congress Find a Grave The Political Graveyard Superior Court Judges, past & present
Places with more information Delaware Historical Society; website; 505 North Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801; (302) 655-7161. University of Delaware; Library website; 181 South College Avenue, Newark, Delaware 19717; (302) 831-2965. Newark Free Library; 750 Library Ave., Newark, Delaware; (302) 731-7550.