Joseph Cilley (senator)

This article is about the U.S. Senator. For his grandfather, the New Hampshire state senator, see Joseph Cilley (state senator).
Joseph Cilley
United States Senator
from New Hampshire
In office
June 13, 1846 March 3, 1847
Preceded by Benning W. Jenness
Succeeded by John P. Hale
Personal details
Born (1791-01-04)January 4, 1791
Nottingham, New Hampshire
Died September 16, 1887(1887-09-16) (aged 96)
Nottingham, New Hampshire
Political party Democrat, Liberty
Profession Politician, Farmer

Joseph Cilley (January 4, 1791  September 16, 1887) was a United States Senator from New Hampshire.

Cilley was born in Nottingham, New Hampshire, the son of Greenleaf Cilley and his wife Jane Nealy. He was also the grandson of Revolutionary War officer Joseph Cilley after whom he was named. He was the nephew of Bradbury Cilley and brother of Jonathan Cilley. Cilley was educated at Atkinson Academy and joined the army to fight in the War of 1812 as an officer in the 21st Infantry Regiment seeing action at the Battle of Sackett's Harbor and Battle of Chrysler's Farm. Joseph Cilley was severely wounded at the Battle of Lundy's Lane, he was shot through the leg by a musket ball causing a compound fracture. He attained the brevetted rank of captain, was the quartermaster of the New Hampshire Militia in 1817, and the division inspector in 1821.

After his military service Joseph Cilley became an aide-de-camp to Governor Benjamin Pierce in 1827. He was then elected as a Democrat to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Levi Woodbury and served from June 13, 1846 to March 3, 1847. He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1846, after which he retired to his farm in Nottingham. He was interred in the general Joseph Cilley Burying Ground in Nottingham Square.

References

United States Senate
Preceded by
Benning W. Jenness
U.S. Senator (Class 2) from New Hampshire
June 13, 1846 March 3, 1847
Served alongside: Charles G. Atherton
Succeeded by
John P. Hale
Honorary titles
Preceded by
Daniel Sturgeon
Oldest living U.S. Senator
July 3, 1878 September 16, 1887
Succeeded by
Simon Cameron
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