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.
Political career Cooper was a member of the Federalist Party and began his political career as a member of the State House of Representatives, where he served from 1803 to 1807. He then served a term in the State Senate from 1808 to 1810, until he was elected to the House of Representatives in 1813. Cooper served in the House from March 4, 1813, to March 3, 1817.
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.
Public offices Office Type Location Began office Ended office NotesState HouseLegislatureDoverJanuary 6, 1803January 6, 1808 State SenatorLegislatureDoverJanuary 6, 1808January 5, 1811 U.S. Representative Legislature Washington March 4, 1813 March 3, 1817
Delaware General Assembly service Dates Assembly Chamber Majority Governor Committees District180328thState HouseFederalistDavid HallSussex at-large180429thState HouseFederalistNathaniel MitchellSussex at-large180530thState HouseFederalistNathaniel MitchellSussex at-large180631stState HouseFederalistNathaniel MitchellSussex at-large180732ndState HouseFederalistGeorge TruittSussex at-large180833rdState SenateFederalistGeorge TruittSussex at-large180934thState SenateFederalistGeorge TruittSussex at-large181035thState SenateFederalistJoseph HasletSussex at-large
United States congressional service Dates Congress Chamber Majority President Committees Class/District1813–181513thU.S. HouseRepublicanJames Madison2nd at-large1815–181714thU.S. HouseRepublicanJames Madison2nd at-large
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%
References
Further reading
External links Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress Delaware's Members of Congress Delaware Historical Society University of Delaware