George Sykes (New Jersey politician)

George Sykes (September 20, 1802 – February 25, 1880) was an American Democratic Party politician who represented New Jersey's 2nd congressional district in the United States House of Representatives from 1843 to 1845, and was reelected in 1845 to fill a vacancy, serving until 1847.

George Sykes
George Sykes
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New Jersey's 2nd district
In office March 4, 1843 – March 3, 1845
Preceded by	Six congressmen elected statewide on the Whig Party's general ticket: John Bancker Aycrigg William Halstead John Patterson Bryan Maxwell Joseph Fitz Randolph Charles C. Stratton Thomas J. Yorke
Succeeded by	Samuel G. Wright (W)
In office November 4, 1845 – March 3, 1847
Preceded by	Samuel G. Wright (W)
Succeeded by	William A. Newell (W)
Member of the New Jersey General Assembly
In office 1877–1879
Personal details
Born	September 20, 1802 Sykesville, New Jersey
Died	February 25, 1880(1880-02-25) (aged 77) Mansfield Township, Burlington County, New Jersey
Political party	Democratic
Profession	Politician

Biography

Sykes was born in Sykesville, in North Hanover Township on September 20, 1802. He was educated by private teachers, and became a surveyor and conveyancer.

Congress

He was elected as a Democrat to the Twenty-eighth Congress, serving in office from March 4, 1843, to March 3, 1845. He was elected to the Twenty-ninth Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Samuel G. Wright, and served from November 4, 1845, to March 3, 1847.

USS Princeton incident

He was a passenger aboard the USS Princeton on February 28, 1844, when one of its guns exploded killing six, including two members of President John Tyler's cabinet.^[1]

Later career and death

After leaving Congress, he served as a member of the council of properties of West Jersey and was a member of the New Jersey General Assembly from 1877 to 1879. He died near Mansfield Township, on February 25, 1880, and was interred in Old Upper Springfield Friends Burying Ground near Wrightstown, New Jersey.

References

1. Holland, Jesse J. (2016). The Invisibles: The Untold Story of African American Slaves in the White House. Guilford, Connecticut: Lyons Press. p. 178.

External links

•  Biography portal

• Congressional Biography
• George Sykes at The Political Graveyard
• George Sykes at Find a Grave

U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by District created	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New Jersey's 2nd congressional district March 4, 1843 – March 3, 1845	Succeeded by Samuel G. Wright
Preceded by Samuel G. Wright	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New Jersey's 2nd congressional district November 4, 1845 – March 3, 1847	Succeeded by William A. Newell