# Presley Spruance

Presley Spruance (September 11, 1785 – February 13, 1863) was an American merchant and politician from Smyrna, in Kent County, Delaware. He was a member of the Federalist and later the Whig Party, who served in the Delaware General Assembly and as U.S. Senator from Delaware.

## Early life and family

Spruance was born in Kent County, Delaware.

## Professional and political career

He was engaged in manufacturing and mercantile pursuits in Smyrna, Delaware, where he was a member of the State House for the 1823 and 1839/40 sessions. In between these he was elected to the State Senate for the sessions from 1826 through 1831, again in 1835/36 and 1837/38, and returned for the 1841/42 and 1843/44 sessions and finally in 1847, several times serving as Speaker. He was elected as a Whig to the United States Senate and served one term from March 4, 1847, to March 3, 1853. Following his term he returned to his business pursuits.

## Death and legacy

Spruance died in Smyrna and is buried there in the Presbyterian Cemetery.
A house he built at Smyrna is a contributing property in the Smyrna Historic District.

## Almanac

Elections were held the first Tuesday of October. U.S. representatives were popularly elected March 4 for a two-year term. The General Assembly chose the U.S. senators, who also took office March 4, but for a six-year term.
Public offices :
| Office | Type | Location | Began office | Ended office | Notes |
| State Representative | Legislature | Dover | January 4, 1823 | January 3, 1824 | |
| State Senator | Legislature | Dover | January 4, 1826 | January 3, 1829 | Speaker |
| State Senator | Legislature | Dover | January 4, 1829 | January 3, 1832 | |
| State Senator | Legislature | Dover | January 4, 1835 | January 3, 1839 | Speaker |
| State Representative | Legislature | Dover | January 4, 1839 | January 3, 1841 | |
| State Senator | Legislature | Dover | January 4, 1841 | January 3, 1845 | Speaker |
| State Senator | Legislature | Dover | January 4, 1847 | March 4, 1847 | |
| U.S. Senator | Legislative | Washington | March 4, 1847 | March 3, 1853 | class 2 |
Delaware General Assembly service :
| Dates | Congress | Chamber | Majority | Governor | Committees | Class/District |
| 1822 | 47th | State House | Republican | Joseph Haslet Charles Thomas | | Kent at-large |
| 1825 | 50th | State Senate | Federalist | Samuel Paynter | | Kent at-large |
| 1826 | 51st | State Senate | Federalist | Charles Polk Jr. | | Kent at-large |
| 1827 | 52nd | State Senate | Federalist | Charles Polk Jr. | Speaker | Kent at-large |
| 1828 | 53rd | State Senate | Federalist | Charles Polk Jr. | | Kent at-large |
| 1829 | 54th | State Senate | Whig | David Hazzard | | Kent at-large |
| 1830 | 55th | State Senate | Whig | David Hazzard | | Kent at-large |
| 1835/36 | 58th | State Senate | Whig | Caleb Bennett Charles Polk Jr. | | Kent at-large |
| 1837/38 | 59th | State Senate | Whig | Cornelius Comegys | Speaker | Kent at-large |
| 1839/40 | 60th | State House | Whig | Cornelius Comegys | | Kent at-large |
| 1841/42 | 61st | State Senate | Whig | William B. Cooper | | Kent at-large |
| 1843/44 | 62nd | State Senate | Whig | William B. Cooper | Speaker | Kent at-large |
| 1847/48 | 64th | State Senate | Whig | William Tharp | | Kent at-large |
United States congressional service :
| Dates | Congress | Chamber | Majority | President | Class/District |
| 1847–1849 | 30th | U.S. Senate | Democratic | James K. Polk | class 2 |
| 1849–1851 | 31st | U.S. Senate | Democratic | Zachary Taylor Millard Fillmore | class 2 |
| 1851–1853 | 32nd | U.S. Senate | Democratic | Millard Fillmore | class 2 |