Joseph Parsons Comegys (December 29, 1813 – February 1, 1893) was an American judge, lawyer and politician from Dover, in Kent County, Delaware. He was a member of the Whig Party and later the Democratic Party, who served in the Delaware General Assembly, as a U.S. senator from Delaware, and later as the chief justice of the Delaware Supreme Court.
Early life and family Comegys was born at "Cherbourg," in Kent County, Delaware, near Dover, the son of former Governor Cornelius P. Comegys and Ruhamah Marim. He attended the old academy at Dover, studied law with John M. Clayton, was admitted to the bar in 1835 and commenced practice in Dover. He married Clayton's niece, Margaret A. Douglass and had three children.
Professional and political career Comegys was elected as a member of the State House twice, and served in the 1843/44 and 1849/50 sessions. He was also a member of the commission to revise the State Constitution in 1852. On November 19, 1856, he was appointed to the U.S. Senate, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of John M. Clayton. He did not run again, and served until January 14, 1857, when his successor was elected. After many years in private practice he was appointed chief justice of the State Supreme Court on May 18, 1876, and served until January 26, 1893, just before his death.
Death and legacy Comegys died at Dover and is buried there in the Old Presbyterian Cemetery, on the grounds of the Delaware State Museum.
References
Images Biographical Directory of the United States Congress; portrait courtesy of the Library of Congress.
Almanac Elections are held the first Tuesday after November 1. Members of the Delaware General Assembly took office the first Tuesday of January. State Representatives have a two-year term. The General Assembly chose the U.S. senators, who took office March 4 for a six-year term. They also chose the delegates to the Constitutional Convention of 1852.
Public offices Office Type Location Began office Ended office NotesState RepresentativeLegislature DoverJanuary 3, 1843January 2, 1845State RepresentativeLegislature DoverJanuary 2, 1849January 1, 1851DelegateConvention Dover18521852State ConstitutionU.S. SenatorLegislature WashingtonNovember 19, 1856 January 14, 1857Supreme CourtJudiciary DoverMay 18, 1876January 26, 1893Chief Justice
Delaware General Assembly service Dates Congress Chamber Majority Governor Committees Class/District1843/4462ndState HouseWhigWilliam B. CooperKent at-large1849/5065thState SenateWhigWilliam TharpKent at-large
United States congressional service Dates Congress Chamber Majority President Committees Class/District1856–185734thU.S. SenateDemocraticFranklin Pierceclass 2
External links Biographical Directory of the United States Congress Delaware’s Members of Congress
The Political Graveyard