William Hill Wells, U.S. Senator

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_H._Wells

William Hill Wells (January 7, 1769 - March 11, 1829) was a lawyer and politician from Dagsboro, in Sussex County, Delaware. He was a member of the Federalist Party, who served in the Delaware General Assembly and as U.S. Senator from Delaware.

Early life and family

Wells was born in Burlington, New Jersey. His family came to Sussex County when he was young, and his father began a successful mercantile business at Dagsboro, which the younger Wells continued. His marriage to Rachael Dagworthy, the daughter of Revolutionary General John Dagworthy, greatly increased his wealth, as she had inherited large tracts of Sussex County timberlands. Meanwhile he studied the law, was admitted to the Delaware Bar in 1791, and practiced at Georgetown, Delaware, eventually expanding to Dover, Delaware.

Professional and political career

Wells represented Sussex County for several years in the Delaware General Assembly, initially serving in the State House from the 1795 session through the 1799 session. He was then elected as a Federalist to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Joshua Clayton and served from January 17, 1799 until November 6, 1804. During this time he joined his Federalist colleagues in opposition to the Louisiana Purchase. He resigned before the completion of his term to seek his fortune in the oil business in northern Pennsylvania. He returned to the State House for the 1811 and 1812 sessions, and spent the 1813 session in the State Senate. He was again elected as a Federalist to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of James A. Bayard, and served from May 28, 1813, to March 3, 1817. Finally, he served once more in the 1819 session of the State House.

All the while he continued the practice of law in Dagsboro and Millsboro, and became heavily involved in the oil business in Pennsylvania, where the town of Wellsboro, Pennsylvania was named in his honor.

Death and legacy

Wells died near Dagsboro, Delaware, and is buried in the Prince George’s Churchyard, near Dagsboro.

Almanac

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_H._Wells#Almanac

William Hill Wells Birth: 7 Jan 1769 Burlington, Burlington County, New Jersey, USA Death: 11 Mar 1829 (aged 60) Dagsboro, Sussex County, Delaware, USA Burial: Prince Georges Cemetery, Dagsboro, Sussex County, Delaware, USA Memorial #: 7561206 Bio: U.S. Senator. Served in the Delaware General Assembly from 1794 to 1798. Elected to represent Delaware to two terms as a United State Senator. He was elected to his first term as a Senator upon the death of Senator Joshua clayton and served from 1799 to 1804. He served for his second term from 1813 to 1817. It is believed that the town of Wellsboro, Pa. was named in his honor. Family Members Spouse Elizabeth D Wells Unknown-1831 Children Rachel Hill Wells Waples 1791-1874 Maintained by: Find A Grave Originally Created by: Russ Pickett (46575736) Added: 10 Jun 2003 URL: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/7561206?search=true Citation: Find A Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 12 August 2018), memorial page for William Hill Wells (7 Jan 1769–11 Mar 1829), Find A Grave Memorial no. 7561206, citing Prince Georges Cemetery, Dagsboro, Sussex County, Delaware, USA ; Maintained by Find A Grave .