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Henry M. Ridgely
United States Senator fromDelaware
In office January 12, 1827 – March 3, 1829
Preceded by	Daniel Rodney
Succeeded by	John M. Clayton
Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromDelaware's1st at-large district
In office March 4, 1811 – March 3, 1815
Preceded by	Nicholas Van Dyke
Succeeded by	Thomas Clayton
Member of theDelaware House of Representatives
In office 1808–1811 1816–1828
Personal details
Born	(1779-08-06)August 6, 1779 Dover, Delaware
Died	August 6, 1847(1847-08-06) (aged 68) Dover, Delaware
Political party	Federalist Party,Jacksonian
Spouse(s)	Sally Banning Sarah Ann Comegys
Residence(s)	Dover, Delaware
Alma mater	Dickinson College
Profession	Lawyer

Henry Moore Ridgely (August 6, 1779 – August 6, 1847) was an American lawyer and politician fromDover, inKent County, Delaware. He was a member of theFederalist Party, and later the Democratic Party, who served as U.S. Representative from Delaware and as U.S. Senator from Delaware.

Ridgely was born in Dover, Delaware, the son of Dr. Charles and Ann Moore Ridgely. He attendedDickinson College and studied law with Charles Smith ofLancaster, Pennsylvania. Admitted to the Delaware Bar in 1802, he began a practice in Dover. Sally Banning of Dover was his first wife, and they had 15 children, including eight who lived to adulthood: Charles George, Elizabeth, Ann (who marriedCharles I. du Pont), Henry, Nicholas, Eugene, Williamina and Edward. In 1842, Ridgely married Sarah Ann Comegys, the daughter ofCornelius P. Comegys, the former Governor of Delaware. They had no children. They were all members ofChrist Episcopal Church. Ridgely was instrumental in the organization of the Farmer's Bank and served as its president in Dover for 40 years.

Ridgely was a Federalist and began his political career in the State House, serving in three sessions from 1808 through 1810. He was a Kent County Levy Court Commissioner as well. Subsequently, he was elected to the 12th and 13th United States House from until March 4, 1811, until March 3, 1815. There he joined the general Federalist opposition to theWar of 1812. Much of his correspondence from these days is published inA Calendar of Ridgely Family Letters, 1742–1899.

Not seeking reelection in 1814, he returned to Dover and resumed the practice of law. He served as the Secretary of State of Delaware from 1817 until 1827 and also was elected to the State House for the 1816, 1822, and 1827 sessions. In 1827, he was elected to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Nicholas Van Dyke and served out his term from January 12, 1827, until March 3, 1829. He was not reelected to the next Congress because, in the great political realignment then underway, Ridgely had become a supporter of President Andrew Jackson, in opposition to the majority in the Delaware General Assembly. He was an opponent of slavery and is said to have bought slaves, only to release them.

Ridgely died at Dover on August 6, 1847, his 68th birthday, and is buried there in the Christ Episcopal Church Cemetery. He 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 took office March 4 and have a two-year term. The General Assembly chose the U.S. Senators, who also took office March 4, but for a six-year term.

• Conrad, Henry C. (1908).History of the State of Delaware, 3 vols. Lancaster, Pennsylvania: Wickersham Company.
• Martin, Roger A. (2003).Delawareans in Congress 1789–1900.ISBN 0-924117-26-5.
• Scharf, John Thomas. (1888).History of Delaware 1609-1888. 2 vols. L. J. Richards & Co Philadelphia.

• Biographical Dictionary of the United States Congress
• Delaware’s Members of Congress
• Henry M. Ridgely atFind a Grave
• The Political Graveyard

• 1779 births
• 1847 deaths
• People from Dover, Delaware
• American people of English descent
• American Episcopalians
• Delaware Jacksonians
• Federalist Party members of the United States House of Representatives from Delaware
• Jacksonian United States senators from Delaware
• Secretaries of state of Delaware
• Delaware lawyers
• Dickinson College alumni
• Ridgely family
• 19th-century United States representatives
• 19th-century United States senators
• 19th-century members of the Delaware General Assembly

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