The 23rd Delaware General Assembly was a meeting of the legislative branch of the state government, consisting of the Delaware Senate and the Delaware House of Representatives. Elections were held the first Tuesday of October and terms began on the first Tuesday in January. The Assembly met in the state capital, Dover, convening January 1, 1799, two weeks before the beginning of the first year of the administration of Governor Richard Bassett.
The apportionment of seats was permanently assigned to three senators and seven representatives for each of the three counties. Population of the county did not effect the number of delegates. Both chambers had a Federalist majority.
Leadership
Senate Isaac Davis, Kent County
House of Representatives Stephen Lewis, Kent County
Members
Senate Senators were elected by the public for a three-year term, one third posted each year.
New Castle County Archibald Alexander Isaac Grantham John JamesKent County George Cummins Isaac Davis James SykesSussex County unknown Nathaniel Hayes David Owens
House of Representatives Representatives were elected by the public for a one-year term.
New Castle County John Clark Richard C. Dale George Gillespie Thomas Kean Caesar Augustus Rodney Joseph Tatnall Nicholas Van Dyke Jr.Kent County Joseph Barker William Collins Jr. Manlove Emerson Stephen Lewis William Sorden John Vining William WarnerSussex County Isaac Beauchamp Joshua Burton Samuel Paynter Thomas Robertson Thomas Sorden Stephen Styer William H. Wells
References
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.