The 70th 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 after November 1 and terms began on the first Tuesday in January. It met in Dover, convening January 4, 1859, two weeks before the beginning of the first and second year of the administration of Governor William Burton.
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 Democratic majority.
Leadership
Senate Manlove Carlisle, Sussex County
House of Representatives John W. F. Jackson, Kent County
Members
Senate Senators were elected by the public for a four-year term, some elected each two year.
New Castle County Abraham Boyce David W. Gemmell Charles T. PolkKent County Wilson L. Cannon Alexander Johnson Thomas J. MooreSussex County Manlove R. Carlisle John Martin Joseph A. McFerran
House of Representatives Representatives were elected by the public for a term, every two years.
New Castle County Thomas W. Belville George W. Churchman Jonathan L. Ellison Franklin Q. Flinn John M. Naudain Charles H. Oldham Lewis ThompsonKent County Jonathan Brown John Harrington John W. F. Jackson Caleb S. Pennewill Isaac Short William Slaughter Curtis S. WatsonSussex County Loxley R. Jacobs Thomas A. Jones Bushrod L. May Alfred McIlvaine William H. Moore John W. Walker Benjamin White
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.