The 72nd 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 6, 1863, two weeks before the beginning of the first year of the administration of Governor William Cannon.
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 John R. Tatum, New Castle County
House of Representatives John Sorden, Sussex County
Members
Senate Senators were elected by the public for a four-year term, some elected each two year.
New Castle County John P. Belville John R. Tatum John F. WilliamsonKent County Thomas Cahall John Green Gove SaulsburySussex County Henry Hickman William Hitch Hicks D. Hooper
House of Representatives Representatives were elected by the public for a term, every two years.
New Castle County Solomon M. Curtis John A. Duncan David W. Gemmill John Hayes Levi W. Lattomus Merritt H. Paxson John WhitbyKent County John H. Bewley Benjamin S. Goote Robert Raughley John Slay William B. Stubbs Curtis S. Watson James WilliamsSussex County Major W. Allen Isaac H. Bailey Luther W. Fisher George W. Horsey William A. Scribner John Sorden William D. Waples
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.