Joseph P. Comegys

Infobox Officeholder
honorific-prefix =
name = Joseph P. Comegys
honorific-suffix =


imagesize =
small

office = Chief Justice of Delaware
term_start = May 18 1876
term_end = January 26, 1893
predecessor = Edward W. Gilpin
successor = Alfred P. Robinson
office2 = U. S. Senator from Delaware
term_start2 = November 19, 1856
term_end2 = January 14 1857
predecessor2 = John M. Clayton
successor2 = Martin W. Bates
birth_date = birth date|1813|12|23|mf=y
birth_place = Dover, Delaware
death_date = death date and age|1893|2|1|1813|12|23
death_place = Dover, Delaware
spouse = Margaret A. Douglass
party = Whig
Democratic
residence = Dover, Delaware
alma_mater =
occupation =
profession = lawyer
religion =

Joseph Parsons Comegys (December 23, 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.

Early life and family

Comegys was born December 23, 1813 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.

Public career

He was elected as a member of the State House twice, and served in the 1843/44 and 1849/50 sessions. He was also 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.

Death and legacy

Comegys died February 1, 1893 in Dover, Delaware and is buried in the Presbyterian Cemetery there.

Public offices

Elections are held the first Tuesday after November 1st. 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.