John J. Milligan

John J. Milligan
Associate Justice
Delaware Superior Court
In office
September 19, 1839 – September 2, 1864
Preceded byJames R. Black
Succeeded byLeonard E. Wales
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Delaware's at-large district
In office
March 4, 1831 – March 3, 1839
Preceded byKensey Johns Jr.
Succeeded byThomas Robinson Jr.
Personal details
Born(1795-12-10)December 10, 1795
Cecil County, Maryland
DiedApril 20, 1875(1875-04-20) (aged 79)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Political partyWhig
SpouseMartha Levy
ResidenceWilmington, Delaware
Alma materPrinceton University
ProfessionLawyer

John Jones Milligan (December 10, 1795 – April 20, 1875) was an American lawyer and politician from Wilmington, in New Castle County, Delaware. He was a member of the Whig Party, and served as U.S. Representative from Delaware.

Political career

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Milligan served eight years representing Delaware in the U.S. House of Representatives. Elected as an Anti-Jacksonian in 1830, he became a member of the Whig Party when it was organized, and served from March 4, 1831, until March 3, 1839. Having been defeated for reelection to a fifth term, he was appointed Associate Judge of the Delaware Superior Court on September 19, 1839, and served until September 16, 1864, when he retired.

Death and legacy

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Milligan died at his retirement home in Philadelphia and is buried in the Wilmington and Brandywine Cemetery at Wilmington.

Milligan is described in the Diaries of Edmund Canby as follows: "...(he)...is a beautiful speaker, his manner is fine, gestures good, matter well arranged, distinct and clear- certainly one of the most delightful speakers I have ever heard...Milligan would be a splendid speaker with practice...he has many happy hits and some beautiful classical illusions...He is, I am told, a fine classical scholar."[1]

Almanac

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Elections were held the first Tuesday of October and, beginning 1832, the first Tuesday after November 1. U.S. Representatives took office March 4 and have a two-year term.

Public offices
Office Type Location Began office Ended office Notes
U.S. Representative Legislature Washington March 4, 1831 March 3, 1833
U.S. Representative Legislature Washington March 4, 1833 March 3, 1835
U.S. Representative Legislature Washington March 4, 1835 March 3, 1837
U.S. Representative Legislature Washington March 4, 1837 March 3, 1839
State Superior Court Judicial Dover September 19, 1839 September 16, 1864
United States congressional service
Dates Congress Chamber Majority President Committees Class/District
1831–1833 22nd U.S. House Democratic Andrew Jackson at-large
1833–1835 23rd U.S. House Democratic Andrew Jackson at-large
1835–1837 24th U.S. House Democratic Andrew Jackson at-large
1837–1838 25th U.S. House Democratic Martin Van Buren at-large
Election results
Year Office Subject Party votes % Opponent Party votes %
1830 U.S. Representative John J. Milligan Whig 4,267 53% Henry M. Ridgely Democratic 3,833 47%
1832 U.S. Representative John J. Milligan Whig 4,257 51% Martin W. Bates Democratic 4,142 49%
1834 U.S. Representative John J. Milligan Whig 4,779 51% James A. Bayard Jr. Democratic 4,626 49%
1836 U.S. Representative John J. Milligan Whig 4,705 53% Martin W. Bates Democratic 4,247 47%
1838 U.S. Representative John J. Milligan Whig 4,379 50% Thomas Robinson Jr. Democratic 4,437 50%

Notes

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  1. ^ "Diaries of Edmund Canby". Delaware History. October 1974.

References

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  • Martin, Roger A. (2003). Delawareans in Congress. Middletown, DE: Roger A. Martin. ISBN 0-924117-26-5.
  • Monroe, John A. (1973). Louis McLane. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press. ISBN 0-8135-0757-X.
  • "Diaries of Edmund Canby". Delaware History. October 1974.
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Places with more information

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U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Delaware's at-large congressional district

1831–1839
Succeeded by