James Sykes (March 27, 1761 – October 18, 1822) was an American medical doctor and politician from Dover, in Kent County, Delaware. He was a member of the Federalist Party, who served in the Delaware General Assembly and as Governor of Delaware.
Early life and family James Sykes was born near Dover, Delaware, the son of James and Agnes Sykes. His father was a member of the Delaware General Assembly and a delegate to the Continental Congress. James Jr. studied medicine under Dr. Joshua Clayton and first practiced in Cambridge, Maryland. While there he married Elizabeth Goldsborough, daughter of Judge Robert Goldsborough. After four years they returned to Dover living on The Green. They had three children; James, Anna Matilda, and William, and were members of Christ Episcopal Church. Their house is now an office building.
Professional and political career In 1791 the Delaware General Assembly appointed Sykes to help manage a lottery to raise one thousand pounds to defray expenses incurred in constructing a new state house. After serving as clerk for the State House in 1796, he was elected to the State Senate in 1793. He served one term for the 1794, 1795, and 1796 sessions. Returning a year later, he served six more terms from the 1798 session through the 1812 session. He was Speaker in 1801, and then in every session from 1804 through 1812. He was also the Democratic-Republican nominee in all three of Delaware's U.S. Senate elections in 1798 and 1799., citing Journal of the Delaware House of Representatives, 1798. 36., citing Journal of the Delaware House of Representatives, 1799., citing Journal of the Delaware House of Representatives, 1799.
On February 20, 1801, Governor Richard Bassett resigned following his appointment as U.S. Circuit Court Judge by U.S. President John Adams. As the Speaker of the State Senate, Sykes was next in line of succession and took office as governor. He chose not to run for election in his right, and returned to the State Senate on January 19, 1802.
In the meantime, Sykes had become one of the state's most renowned surgeons. From his office at 45 The Green in Dover, he specialized in treating gallstones and yellow fever. In 1814 he moved his practice to New York City for six years, but then returned to the Dover practice with his son, James. In 1822 he became President of the Delaware Medical Society.
Death and legacy Sykes died at Dover and is buried there in the Christ Episcopal Church Cemetery. His son, James, was a physician in Dover and his son, William, was the father of Major General George Sykes, a commander at Gettysburg in the American Civil War.
Almanac Elections were held the first Tuesday of October, and members of the General Assembly took office the first Tuesday of January. State senators had a three-year term. The governor took office the third Tuesday of January and had a three-year term. However, Sykes served as State President, only filling the vacancy caused by the resignation of Richard Bassett.
Delaware General Assembly (sessions while governor)YearAssemblySenate majoritySpeakerHouse majoritySpeaker180125thFederalistvacantFederalistStephen Lewis
Public offices Office Type Location Began office Ended office notesState SenatorLegislatureDoverJanuary 6, 1794January 6, 1797State SenatorLegislatureDoverJanuary 6, 1798January 6, 1801State SenatorLegislatureDoverJanuary 6, 1801February 20, 1801GovernorExecutiveDoverFebruary 20, 1801January 19, 1802actingState SenatorLegislatureDoverJanuary 6, 1802January 6, 1804State SenatorLegislatureDoverJanuary 6, 1804January 6, 1807State SenatorLegislatureDoverJanuary 6, 1807January 6, 1810State SenatorLegislatureDoverJanuary 6, 1810January 6, 1813
Delaware General Assembly service Dates Assembly Chamber Majority Governor Committees District179418thState SenateFederalistJoshua ClaytonKent at-large179519thState SenateFederalistJoshua ClaytonKent at-large179620thState SenateFederalistGunning Bedford Sr.Kent at-large179822ndState SenateFederalistDaniel RogersKent at-large179923rdState SenateFederalistRichard BassettKent at-large180024thState SenateFederalistRichard BassettSpeakerKent at-large180125thState SenateFederalistRichard BassettSpeakerKent at-large180226thState SenateFederalistDavid HallKent at-large180327thState SenateFederalistDavid HallSpeakerKent at-large180428thState SenateFederalistDavid HallSpeakerKent at-large180529thState SenateFederalistNathaniel MitchellSpeakerKent at-large180630thState SenateFederalistNathaniel MitchellSpeakerKent at-large180731stState SenateFederalistNathaniel MitchellSpeakerKent at-large180832ndState SenateFederalistGeorge TruittSpeakerKent at-large180933rdState SenateFederalistGeorge TruittSpeakerKent at-large181034thState SenateFederalistGeorge TruittSpeakerKent at-large181135thState SenateFederalistJoseph HasletSpeakerKent at-large181236thState SenateFederalistJoseph HasletSpeakerKent at-large
Places with more information Delaware Historical Society; website; 505 North Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801; (302) 655-7161 University of Delaware; Library website; 181 South College Avenue, Newark, Delaware 19717; (302) 831–2965
References
External links Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States Delaware's Governors
The Political Graveyard