Quick Facts
VirgoBiography
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 be 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 | notes | |
| State Representative | Legislature | Dover | January 4, 1823 | January 3, 1824 | ||
| State Senator | Legislature | Dover | January 4, 1826 | January 3, 1829 | Speaker | |
| State Senator | Legislature | Dover | January 4, 1829 | January 3, 1832 | ||
| State Senator | Legislature | Dover | January 4, 1835 | January 3, 1839 | Speaker | |
| State Representative | Legislature | Dover | January 4, 1839 | January 3, 1841 | ||
| State Senator | Legislature | Dover | January 4, 1841 | January 3, 1845 | Speaker | |
| State Senator | Legislature | Dover | January 4, 1847 | March 4, 1847 | ||
| U.S. Senator | Legislative | Washington | March 4, 1847 | March 3, 1853 | class 2 | |
| Delaware General Assembly service | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dates | Congress | Chamber | Majority | Governor | Committees | Class/District |
| 1822 | 47th | State House | Republican | Joseph Haslet Charles Thomas | Kent at-large | |
| 1825 | 50th | State Senate | Federalist | Samuel Paynter | Kent at-large | |
| 1826 | 51st | State Senate | Federalist | Charles Polk, Jr. | Kent at-large | |
| 1827 | 52nd | State Senate | Federalist | Charles Polk, Jr. | Speaker | Kent at-large |
| 1828 | 53rd | State Senate | Federalist | Charles Polk, Jr. | Kent at-large | |
| 1829 | 54th | State Senate | Whig | David Hazzard | Kent at-large | |
| 1830 | 55th | State Senate | Whig | David Hazzard | Kent at-large | |
| 1835/36 | 58th | State Senate | Whig | Caleb Bennett Charles Polk, Jr. | Kent at-large | |
| 1837/38 | 59th | State Senate | Whig | Cornelius Comegys | Speaker | Kent at-large |
| 1839/40 | 60th | State House | Whig | Cornelius Comegys | Kent at-large | |
| 1841/42 | 61st | State Senate | Whig | William B. Cooper | Kent at-large | |
| 1843/44 | 62nd | State Senate | Whig | William B. Cooper | Speaker | Kent at-large |
| 1847/48 | 64th | State Senate | Whig | William Tharp | Kent at-large | |
| United States Congressional service | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dates | Congress | Chamber | Majority | President | Committees | Class/District |
| 1847–1849 | 30th | U.S. Senate | Democratic | James K. Polk | class 2 | |
| 1849–1851 | 31st | U.S. Senate | Democratic | Zachary Taylor Millard Fillmore | class 2 | |
| 1851–1853 | 32nd | U.S. Senate | Democratic | Millard Fillmore | class 2 | |
