77th Delaware General Assembly

The 77th Delaware General Assembly was a meeting of the legislative branch of the state government, consisting of the Delaware Senate and the Delaware House of Representatives. Elections were held the first Tuesday after November 1 and terms began in Dover on the first Tuesday in January. This date was January 2, 1873, which was two weeks before the beginning of the third administrative year of Governor James Ponder.

Governor James Ponder
77th General Assembly
In office January 2, 1873 – January 1, 1875
Preceded by	76th Assembly
Succeeded by	78th Assembly

Currently the distribution of the Senate Assembly seats was made to three senators for each of the three counties. Likewise the current distribution of the House Assembly seats was made to seven representatives for each of the three counties. The actual population changes of the county did not directly affect the number of senators or representatives at this time.

In the 77th Delaware General Assembly session both chambers had a Democratic majority.

Leadership

Senate

• Allen V. Lesley, New Castle County, Democratic

House of Representatives

• Joseph Burchenal, Kent County, Democratic

Members

Senate

Senators were normally elected by the public for a four-year term; although many were selected to fill the remainder of a vacant position.

New Castle County Allen V. Lesley Leander F. Riddle Leonard G. Vandegrift

Kent County John Mustard William M. Shakespeare Curtis S. Watson

Sussex County Martin M. Ellis Thomas E. Records Charles C. Stockley

House of Representative

Representatives were elected by the public for a two-year term.

New Castle County Theodore F. Clark D. Brainard Ferris Joseph C. Hutchinson Joshua Maris William Silver Joel Thompson, Jr. Lewis Thompson

Kent County Joseph Burchenal William B. Clough William Sheldrake John Van Gaskin John C. Wilson Robert B. Wright John C. Wilson

Sussex County George M. Davis John Hickman David H. Holland Edward Jones Hugh Martin Jesse B. Stevenson James T. Thompson

References

• Hoffecker, Carol E. (2004). Democracy in Delaware. Wilmington, Delaware: Cedar Tree Books. ISBN 1-892142-23-6.
• Martin, Roger A. (1995). Memoirs of the Senate. Newark, Delaware: Roger A. Martin.

Places with more information

• Delaware Historical Society; website; 505 North Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801; [phone]
• University of Delaware; Library website; 181 South College Avenue, Newark, Delaware 19717; [phone]