Joseph P. Comegys
| Joseph P. Comegys | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Chief Justice of Delaware | |
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In office May 18, 1876 – January 26, 1893 |
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| Preceded by | Edward W. Gilpin |
| Succeeded by | Alfred P. Robinson |
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United States Senator from Delaware |
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In office November 19, 1856 – January 14, 1857 |
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| Preceded by | John M. Clayton |
| Succeeded by | Martin W. Bates |
| Member of the Delaware House of Representatives | |
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In office January 3, 1843 - January 2, 1845 January 2, 1849 - January 1, 1851 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born |
December 29, 1813 Dover, Delaware |
| Died | February 1, 1893 (aged 79) Dover, Delaware |
| Political party |
Whig Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Margaret A. Douglass |
| Residence | Dover, Delaware |
| Profession | lawyer |
Joseph Parsons Comegys (December 29, 1813 – February 1, 1893) was a lawyer and politician from Dover, in Kent County, Delaware. He was a member of the Whig Party and later the Democratic Party, who served in the Delaware General Assembly, as a U.S. Senator from Delaware, and later as the Chief Justice of the Delaware Supreme Court.
Comegys was born at “Cherbourg,” in Kent County, Delaware, near Dover, the son of former Governor Cornelius P. Comegys and Ruhamah Marim. He attended the old academy at Dover, studied law with John M. Clayton, was admitted to the Bar in 1835 and commenced practice in Dover. He married Clayton's niece, Margaret A. Douglass and had three children.
Comegys was elected as a member of the State House twice, and served in the 1843/44 and 1849/50 sessions. He was also a member of the commission to revise the State Constitution in 1852. On November 19, 1856, he was appointed to the U.S. Senate, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of John M. Clayton. He did not run again, and served until January 14, 1857, when his successor was elected. After many years in private practice he was appointed chief justice of the State Supreme Court on May 18, 1876 and served until January 26, 1893, just before his death.
Comegys died at Dover and is buried there in the Old Presbyterian Cemetery, on the grounds of the Delaware State Museum.
Elections are held the first Tuesday after November 1. Members of the Delaware General Assembly took office the first Tuesday of January. State Representatives have a two-year term. The General Assembly chose the U.S. Senators, who took office March 4 for a six-year term. They also chose the delegates to the Constitutional Convention of 1852.
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