William Hill WELLS, Congress, DE (1769-1829)

WELLS, William Hill, a Senator from Delaware; born in Burlington, N.J., January 7, 1769; received a liberal education; engaged in mercantile pursuits at Dagsboro and Millsboro, Del.; studied law; admitted to the bar and practiced at Georgetown, Del.; moved to Dover, Del.; member, Delaware general assembly 1794-1798; elected as a Federalist to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Joshua Clayton and served from January 17, 1799, to November 6, 1804, when he resigned; again elected as a Federalist to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of James A. Bayard and served from May 28, 1813, to March 3, 1817; was not a candidate for reelection in 1816; resumed the practice of law and was interested in the oil business in Pennsylvania, where the town of Wellsboro was named in his honor; died near Dagsboro, Sussex County, Del., on March 11, 1829; interment in Prince George’s Churchyard, near Dagsboro.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present