Theodorus Bailey (politician)

Theodorus Bailey
United States Senator from New York
In office March 4, 1803 – January 16, 1804
Preceded by	Gouverneur Morris
Succeeded by	John Armstrong, Jr.
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 5th district
In office December 7, 1801 – March 3, 1803
Preceded by	Thomas Tillotson
Succeeded by	Andrew McCord
In office March 4, 1799 – March 3, 1801
Preceded by	David Brooks
Succeeded by	Thomas Tillotson
In office March 4, 1793 – March 3, 1797
Preceded by	Peter Silvester
Succeeded by	David Brooks
Personal details
Born	(1758-10-12)October 12, 1758 Fishkill, Province of New York, British America
Died	September 6, 1828(1828-09-06) (aged 69) New York City, New York, U.S.
Political party	Anti-Administration, Democratic-Republican
Spouse	Rebecca Tallmadge
Children	Catherine Rebecca Bailey Ann Eliza Bailey
Profession	lawyer, politician
Military service
Branch/service	New York Militia
Battles/wars	American Revolution

Theodorus Bailey (October 12, 1758 – September 6, 1828) was an American lawyer and politician from Poughkeepsie, New York, who represented New York in both the U.S. House and Senate.

Bailey was born near Fishkill in the Province of New York on October 12, 1758 where he attended the rural schools and studied law. He was admitted to the bar in 1778 and commenced practice in Poughkeepsie, New York.

He served with the New York Militia during the Revolutionary War. He also served in the State militia from 1786 until 1805 and attained the rank of brigadier general.^[1]

Bailey ran for Congress in March 1789, but was defeated by Federalist Egbert Benson. Bailey was elected as a Democratic-Republican to the 3rd and the 4th United States Congresses, serving from March 4, 1793, to March 3, 1797. He was elected again to the 6th United States Congress, serving from March 4, 1799, to March 3, 1801. In April 1801, he was elected to the New York State Assembly, but vacated his seat before the State Legislature convened, because he was elected to the 7th United States Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Thomas Tillotson, and served from December 7, 1801, to March 3, 1803.

In 1803, Bailey was elected a U.S. Senator from New York, and served from March 4, 1803, to January 16, 1804,^[2] when he resigned to accept the position of Postmaster of New York City, which he held until his death.

Bailey was married to Rebecca Tallmadge (1779–1807). She was the daughter of Col. James Tallmadge (1744–1821) and the sister of Matthias B. Tallmadge (1774–1819), a federal judge from New York, and James Tallmadge Jr. (1778–1853), who was a U.S. Representative and who served as Lieutenant Governor of New York under De Witt Clinton. Together, they were the parents of:^[3]

• Catherine Rebecca Bailey (1804–1844), who married William Cecil Woolsey (1796–1840) in 1829.^[3]
• Ann Eliza Bailey (d. 1878), who married Arthur Bronson (1801–1844), a son of Isaac Bronson.^[4]

Bailey died in New York, New York County, New York, on September 6, 1828 (age 69 years, 330 days). He was interred at Dutch Burying Ground, Manhattan, New York; and was re-interred on January 8, 1864, at Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery, Poughkeepsie, New York.^[5]

• United States Congress. "Theodorus Bailey (id: B000049)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
• Theodorus Bailey at Find a Grave