James Sykes (politician, 1761)

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James Sykes (born March 27, 1761 in Dover , Delaware Colony ; † October 18, 1822 ibid) was an American politician and governor of the state of Delaware from 1801 to 1802 .

Early years

James Sykes was the son of James Sykes Sr (1725-1792), who had represented the State of Delaware in the Continental Congress . He attended public schools in Wilmington and Newark . He then studied medicine with the later governor of Delaware, Joshua Clayton . After his medical license, he practiced in Cambridge , Massachusetts for four years . He then returned to Dover, where he soon became a well-known doctor and surgeon.

Political rise

Sykes was a member of the Delaware Senate between 1793 and 1795 . In 1796 he was secretary in the State House of Representatives . Then he was again a member of the State Senate from 1797 to 1801 and became its President. After the resignation of Governor Richard Bassett , who had been appointed federal judge, on March 3, 1801 , Sykes fell to the office of governor as President of the Senate.

Governor of Delaware and further résumé

Syke's role as governor was to end the remainder of his predecessor's term of office, which ran until January 1802. During these ten months he continued the policy of his predecessor. After the end of his tenure, he worked again as a doctor in Dover. At the same time he was again a member and President of the State Senate of Delaware between 1802 and 1812. Between 1814 and 1820 he moved his medical practice to New York City before returning to Dover in 1820. He died there in October 1822. James Sykes had two children with his wife, Elizabeth Goldsborough. James Sykes was the grandfather of George Sykes , who served as a general in the Union Army during the American Civil War .

literature

  • Robert Sobel and John Raimo (Eds.): Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789–1978. Volume 1, Meckler Books, Westport, 1978. 4 volumes.

Web links

personal data
SURNAME Sykes, James
BRIEF DESCRIPTION American politician
DATE OF BIRTH March 27, 1761
PLACE OF BIRTH Dover , Delaware
DATE OF DEATH October 18, 1822
Place of death Dover , Delaware