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Henry M. Ridgely
U. S. Senator from Delaware
January 23, 1827 – March 3, 1829
Preceded by	Daniel Rodney
Succeeded by	John M. Clayton
U. S. Representative from Delaware
March 4, 1811 – March 3, 1815
Preceded by	Nicholas Van Dyke
Succeeded by	Thomas Clayton
Born	August 6, 1779 Dover, Delaware
Died	August 6, 1847 Dover, Delaware
Residence	Dover, Delaware
Political party	Federalist Party
Profession	lawyer
Religion	Episcopalian

Henry Moore Ridgely (August 6, 1779 – August 6, 1847) was an American lawyer and politician from Dover, in Kent County, Delaware. He was a member of the Federalist Party, who served as U.S. Representative from Delaware and as U.S. Senator from Delaware.

Contents 1 Early life and family 2 Political career 3 Death and legacy 4 Public offices 4.1 Election results 5 References 6 External links 6.1 Places with more information

Ridgely was born August 6, 1779 in Dover, Delaware. He attended [{Dickinson College]] and studied law with Charles Smith of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He was admitted to the Bar in 1802 and began a practice in Dover. Instrumental in the organization of the Farmer’s Bank He was a member of Christ Episcopal Church.

Ridgely was a Federalist and was elected to the 12th U.S. Congress and 13th U.S. Congress, serving in the U.S. House from March 4, 1811 until March 3, 1815. He was not a candidate for nomination in 1814 and resumed the practice of law in Dover, serving as the Secretary of State of Delaware from 1817 until 1827. He was elected to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Nicholas Van Dyke and served from January 12, 1827 until March 3, 1829, but did not seek reelection.

Ridgely died August 6, 1847 in Dover Delaware and is buried in Christ Episcopal Church Cemetery there. Ridgely was considered a man of superior judgment with a considerable talent for business.

Elections were held the first Tuesday of October. Members of the State House took office on the first Tuesday of January for a one year term. U.S. Representatives were popularly elected for a two year term, and the General Assembly chose the U.S. Senators, for a six year term. Both took office the following March 4th.

Office	Type	Location	Elected	Took Office	Left Office	notes
U.S. Representative	Legislature	Washington	1810	March 4, 1811	March 3, 1813	at-large
U.S. Representative	Legislature	Washington	1812	March 4, 1813	March 3, 1815	1st at-large
Secretary of State	Executive	Dover		1817	1827	Delaware
U.S. Senator	Legislature	Washington		January 12, 1827	March 3, 1829	class 2

Year	Office		Subject	Party	Votes	%		Opponent	Party	Votes	%
1810	U.S. Representative		Henry M. Ridgely	Federalist	3,634	50%		Richard C. Dale	Democratic-Republican	6,229	51%
1812	U.S. Representative		Henry M. Ridgely Thomas Cooper	Federalist	4,193 4,182	29% 29%		David Hall Richard C. Dale	Democratic-Republican	3,221 3,210	22% 22%

• Scharf, John Thomas. (1888). History of Delaware 1609-1888. 2 vols.. L. J. Richards & Co., Philadelphia. 
• Conrad, Henry C. (1908). History of the State of Delaware, 3 vols.. Lancaster, Pennsylvania: Wickersham Company. 

• Biographical Dictionary of the U.S. Congress. [1].
• Delaware’s Senators [2].
• Find a Grave. Henry M. Ridgely
• History of Delaware 1609-1888 [3]

• Historical Society of Delaware [4] 505 Market St., Wilmington, Delaware (302) 655-7161
• University of Delaware Library [5] 181 South College Ave., Newark, Delaware (302) 831-2965

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