Presley Spruance (September 11, 1785 – February 13, 1863) was an American merchant and politician from Smyrna, in Kent County, Delaware. He was a member of the Federalist and later the Whig Party, who served in the Delaware General Assembly and as U.S. Senator from Delaware.
Early life and family Spruance was born in Kent County, Delaware.
Professional and political career He was engaged in manufacturing and mercantile pursuits in Smyrna, Delaware, where he was a member of the State House for the 1823 and 1839/40 sessions. In between these he was elected to the State Senate for the sessions from 1826 through 1831, again in 1835/36 and 1837/38, and returned for the 1841/42 and 1843/44 sessions and finally in 1847, several times serving as Speaker. He was elected as a Whig to the United States Senate and served one term from March 4, 1847, to March 3, 1853. Following his term he returned to his business pursuits.
Death and legacy Spruance died in Smyrna and is buried there in the Presbyterian Cemetery.
A house he built at Smyrna is a contributing property in the Smyrna Historic District.
Almanac Elections were held the first Tuesday of October. U.S. representatives were popularly elected March 4 for a two-year term. The General Assembly chose the U.S. senators, who also took office March 4, but for a six-year term.
Public offices Office Type Location Began office Ended office NotesState RepresentativeLegislature DoverJanuary 4, 1823January 3, 1824State SenatorLegislature DoverJanuary 4, 1826January 3, 1829SpeakerState SenatorLegislature DoverJanuary 4, 1829January 3, 1832State SenatorLegislature DoverJanuary 4, 1835January 3, 1839SpeakerState RepresentativeLegislature DoverJanuary 4, 1839January 3, 1841State SenatorLegislature DoverJanuary 4, 1841January 3, 1845SpeakerState SenatorLegislature DoverJanuary 4, 1847March 4, 1847U.S. SenatorLegislative WashingtonMarch 4, 1847March 3, 1853class 2
Delaware General Assembly service Dates Congress Chamber Majority Governor Committees Class/District182247thState HouseRepublicanJoseph HasletCharles ThomasKent at-large182550thState SenateFederalistSamuel PaynterKent at-large182651stState SenateFederalistCharles Polk Jr.Kent at-large182752ndState SenateFederalistCharles Polk Jr.SpeakerKent at-large182853rdState SenateFederalistCharles Polk Jr.Kent at-large182954thState SenateWhigDavid HazzardKent at-large183055thState SenateWhigDavid HazzardKent at-large1835/3658thState SenateWhigCaleb BennettCharles Polk Jr.Kent at-large1837/3859thState SenateWhigCornelius ComegysSpeakerKent at-large1839/4060thState HouseWhigCornelius ComegysKent at-large1841/4261stState SenateWhigWilliam B. CooperKent at-large1843/4462ndState SenateWhigWilliam B. CooperSpeakerKent at-large1847/4864thState SenateWhigWilliam TharpKent at-large
United States congressional service Dates Congress Chamber Majority President Committees Class/District1847–184930thU.S. SenateDemocraticJames K. Polkclass 2 1849–185131stU.S. SenateDemocraticZachary TaylorMillard Fillmoreclass 2 1851–185332ndU.S. SenateDemocraticMillard Fillmoreclass 2
Notes
References
External links Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress.
Delaware’s Members of Congress
The Political Graveyard