James A. Bayard (elder)

James Asheton Bayard II ( born July 28, 1767 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, † August 6, 1815 in Wilmington, Delaware ) was an American politician of the Federalist Party. From 1797 to 1803 and from 1804 to 1813 he sat for the U.S. state of Delaware in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate.

Early life and family

Bayard was born the son of James Asheton Bayard I and Ann Hodge in Pennsylvania. His ancestors came from the Netherlands. After his parents died early, he moved in with his uncle John, with whom he lived in the future. In 1784 he completed his law studies at Princeton University. In 1787 he was admitted as a lawyer in Delaware. He opened his own law firm in Wilmington. He married in 1795 Ann Bassett, daughter of Richard Bassett. Together both had six children, including James A. Bayard Jr. and Richard H. Bayard.

Political career

1796 Bayard was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, where he served until 1803. During his tenure, he played a major role in both the exclusion of Senator William Blount as well as in the election of Thomas Jefferson as U.S. president. Bayard said that a peaceful change of power was possible only with the Federalists led by him. In the 36th ballot, Jefferson was finally chosen. Because of his attitude in the presidential election as well as his criticism of the official leadership of Jefferson Bayard 1802 was not elected to the House. In 1804 he was re-elected, but not appeared at his office, as he was in 1804 appointed to the Federal Senate. 1810 here, he managed to re-election. He remained until his resignation in 1813 senator.

Death

In the summer of 1815 Bayard took a trip to Europe. Only five days after his return died Bayard in Wilmington. He was, besides his father, buried in the Wilmington and Brandywine Cemetery, Wilmington.