81st Delaware General Assembly

The 81st 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 1st and terms began in Dover on the first Tuesday in January. This date was January 4, 1881, which was two weeks before the beginning of the third administrative year of Governor John W. Hall.

Governor John W. Hall
81st General Assembly
In office January 4, 1881 – January 3, 1883
Preceded by	80th Assembly
Succeeded by	82nd 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 81st Delaware General Assembly session, both chambers had a Democratic majority.

Leadership

Senate

• Catesby F. Rust, Sussex County, Democratic

House of Representatives

• Reynear Williams, 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 Howard Betts Joseph W. Cooch Charles H. McWhorter

Kent County Samuel B. Cooper Charles J. Harrington Caleb S. Pennewill

Sussex County Isaac Conaway Andrew J. Horsey Catesby F. Rust

House of Representative

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

New Castle County Edward G. Bradford, Jr. David Eastburn Andrew Eliason John Pilling Henry Swayne George L. Townsend Henry H. Woodkeeper

Kent County Alfred H. Cahall John W. Graham Abraham Moor Charles H. Register Moses S. Van Burkalow Amos C. Williams Reynear Williams

Sussex County William P. Jones Philip C. Mathews Joseph G. McNeal Peter Robinson Amos J. Stayton Peter W. Tomlinson Thomas N. Williams

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]