John J. Milligan

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.

John J. Milligan
Associate Justice Delaware Superior Court
In office September 19, 1839 – September 2, 1864
Preceded by	James R. Black
Succeeded by	Leonard 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 by	Kensey Johns Jr.
Succeeded by	Thomas Robinson Jr.
Personal details
Born	(1795-12-10)December 10, 1795 Cecil County, Maryland
Died	April 20, 1875(1875-04-20) (aged 79) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Political party	Whig
Spouse	Martha Levy
Residence	Wilmington, Delaware
Alma mater	Princeton University
Profession	Lawyer

Political career

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

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

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

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

References

• 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.

External links

• Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Delaware's Members of Congress
• Find a Grave
• The Political Graveyard
• Superior Court Judges, past & present

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].
• Newark Free Library; 750 Library Ave., Newark, Delaware; [phone].

U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Kensey Johns Jr.	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Delaware's at-large congressional district 1831–1839	Succeeded by Thomas Robinson Jr.