The 1st Mississippi Legislature met between October 6, 1817 and February 6, 1818, first in Washington and then in Natchez, Mississippi.
Background Elections were held on September 17, 1817. Senators and representatives first convened in Washington, Mississippi, between October 6 and October 9, 1817. They then met in Natchez, Mississippi, on December 8, 1817. The Senate adjourned on February 4, 1818.
Senators were to be elected to staggered three-year terms. Lots were drawn to determine how many years each senator's term would last (including the first session) before re-election.
Senate Two senators, Duncan Stewart and David Dickson, resigned during the recess in between October and December. Joseph Johnson was sworn in to replace Stewart (who had been elected lieutenant governor) on December 9, 1817. Stewart, who was sworn in on December 9, 1817, became the ex officio president of the Senate. Nathaniel Wells was sworn in to replace Dickson on January 2, 1819. The House adjourned on February 6, 1818. CountiesSenator(s)Term Years before Next ElectionAdams Henry Postlethwaite2AmiteDavid Lea2Jefferson Hezekiah J. Balch1WilkinsonDuncan Stewart (Oct-Dec. 8, 1817)3Joseph Johnston (Dec. 1818–1819)Franklin, Pike David Dickson (Oct-Dec 8, 1817)1Nathaniel Wells (January 2, 1819)Lawrence, Marion, Hancock Charles Stovall1Warren, Claiborne Daniel Burnet3Wayne, Greene, Jackson Josiah Skinner2
Mississippi House of Representantatives The House met alongside the Senate on October 6, 1817. On that day, Thomas Barnes of Claiborne County was elected Speaker of the House. Then, non-representatives Peter A. Vandorn and John Lowry were elected to the offices of House clerk and doorkeeper respectively. One representative, Benjamin Bullen, resigned in between the October and December meetings. Cowles Mead was sworn in to replace Bullen on December 8, 1817. CountyRepresentative(s)AdamsPhilander Smith Joseph Sessions Edward TurnerCharles B. GreenAmite David Davis Hardy Coward Angus WilkinsonClaiborne Thomas Barnes Henry G. JohnstonFranklin Joseph WinnGreene George B. DameronHancock Noel JourdanJackson Archibald McManisJeffersonBenjamin M. Bullen (Oct-Dec. 1817)Cowles Mead (Dec. 1817–1818) Edward DugganLawrence Harman RunnelsMarion George M. NixonPikeElbert Burton David ClevelandWarren Jacob HylandWayne William PattonWilkinson Thomas M. Gildart Abram M. Scott John Joor
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