Willard Saulsbury, Sr.

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Willard Saulsbury, Sr.
Willard Saulsbury, Sr. - Brady-Handy.jpg
Chancellor of Delaware
In office
November 14, 1873 – April 6, 1892
Preceded by Daniel M. Bates
Succeeded by James L. Wolcott
United States Senator
from Delaware
In office
March 4, 1859 – March 3, 1871
Preceded by Martin W. Bates
Succeeded by Eli M. Saulsbury
Personal details
Born (1820-06-02)June 2, 1820
Kent County, Delaware
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Dover, Delaware
Political party Democratic
Spouse(s) Annie Ponder
Residence Georgetown, Delaware
Alma mater Delaware College
Profession lawyer
Religion Episcopalian

Willard Saulsbury, Sr. (June 2, 1820 – April 6, 1892) was a lawyer and politician from Georgetown, in Sussex County, Delaware. He was a member of the Democratic Party, who served as Attorney General of Delaware, U.S. Senator from Delaware and Chancellor of Delaware.

Early life and family

Saulsbury was born in Mispillion Hundred, Kent County, Delaware, son of William & Margaret Ann Smith Saulsbury. He was a younger brother of Governor Gove Saulsbury and U.S. Senator Eli M. Saulsbury. He married Annie Ponder, sister of Governor James Ponder, and they had three children, John Ponder, Margaret, and Willard Jr.. They were members of the Episcopal Church. Saulsbury was educated at Dickinson College and Delaware College, which is now the University of Delaware, studied law, was admitted to the Delaware Bar, and began his practice in Georgetown, Delaware.

Political career

Saulsbury was the Delaware Attorney General from 1850 until 1855, and was elected to the United States Senate in 1858, defeating incumbent U.S. Senator Martin W. Bates. Saulsbury was reelected in 1864, but was defeated for a third term in 1870 by his older brother, Eli M. Saulsbury. He served two full terms from March 4, 1859, to March 4, 1871. He then continued his law practice and served as Chancellor of Delaware from 1873 until his death in 1892.

In 1863, Saulsbury was a vehement critic of President Abraham Lincoln's administration. Opposing the war in general and the suspension of habeas corpus specifically, Saulsbury attempted to prevent a vote sustaining that controversial executive order. Apparently intoxicated, Saulsbury verbally attacked the President on the Senate floor in what John Hay described as "language fit only for a drunken fishwife". Senator Saulsbury called Lincoln "an imbecile" and stated that the President was "the weakest man ever placed in a high office". When Vice President Hannibal Hamlin called Saulsbury to order, the Senator refused to take his seat. Finally, the Senate's sergeant-at-arms approached to remove Saulsbury from the Senate floor when the Senator suddenly brandished a revolver, placed it against the sergeant's head and said, "Damn you, if you touch me I'll shoot you dead!" Eventually, Saulsbury was calmed and removed from the Senate floor.[1]

Death and legacy

Saulsbury died at Dover and is buried there in the Christ Episcopal Church Cemetery. His son, Willard Saulsbury, Jr. was also a U.S. Senator.

Almanac

The General Assembly chose the U.S. Senators, who took office March 4 for a six-year term.


Public Offices
Office Type Location Began office Ended office notes
Attorney General Executive Dover 1850 1855 Delaware
U.S. Senator Legislature Washington March 4, 1859 March 3, 1865
U.S. Senator Legislature Washington March 4, 1865 March 3, 1871
Chancellor Judiciary Dover November 14, 1873 April 6, 1892 State Chancery Court
United States Congressional service
Dates Congress Chamber Majority President Committees Class/District
1859–1861 36th U.S. Senate Democratic James Buchanan class 2
1861–1863 37th U.S. Senate Republican Abraham Lincoln class 2
1863–1865 38th U.S. Senate Republican Abraham Lincoln class 2
1865–1867 39th U.S. Senate Republican Abraham Lincoln
Andrew Johnson
class 2
1867–1869 40th U.S. Senate Republican Andrew Johnson class 2
1869–1871 41st U.S. Senate Republican Ulysses S. Grant class 2

References

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Images

External links

Places with more information

United States Senate
Preceded by U.S. Senator (Class 2) from Delaware
March 4, 1859 – March 3, 1871
Served alongside: James A. Bayard, Jr., George R. Riddle, James A. Bayard, Jr., Thomas F. Bayard
Succeeded by
Eli M. Saulsbury