James M. Broom

James Madison Broom
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Delaware's At-large district
In office March 4, 1805 – October 6, 1807
Preceded by	Caesar A. Rodney
Succeeded by	Nicholas Van Dyke
Personal details
Born	1776 Newport, Delaware
Died	January 15, 1850 (aged 74) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Political party	Federalist
Residence	Wilmington, Delaware
Alma mater	Princeton College
Profession	lawyer

James Madison Broom (1776 – January 15, 1850) was an American lawyer and politician from Wilmington, in New Castle County, Delaware. He was a member of the Federalist Party, who served as U. S. Representative from Delaware.

Early life and family

Broom was born in Wilmington, Delaware, the son of Delaware politician Jacob Broom and Rachel Pierce. James was born near Wilmington, Delaware. His first wife's name was Ann who died August 9, 1808 and he may have remarried Mary Lowber. By his first wife he has two children, Elizabeth and Jacob, a U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania. James Broom graduated from Princeton College in 1794. He then studied law, was admitted to the Delaware Bar in 1801 and practiced law in New Castle, Wilmington, and Baltimore, Maryland.

Professional and political career

Broom was elected as a Federalist in the 9th and 10th Congresses, serving from March 4, 1805 until his resignation October 6, 1807, before the assembling of the 10th Congress. He moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1819 and resumed the practice of law. Later he was a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 1824.

Death and legacy

He died in Philadelphia on January 15, 1850 and was buried in St. Mary’s Churchyard in Hamilton Village, now a part of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Almanac

Elections were held the first Tuesday of October. U.S. Representatives took office March 4 and have a two-year term.

Public Offices
Office	Type	Location	Party	Began office	Ended office	notes
U.S. Representative	Legislature	Washington	Federalist	March 4, 1805	October 6, 1807

United States Congressional service
Dates	Congress	Chamber	Majority	President	Committees	Class/District
1805–1807	9th	U.S. House	Republican	Thomas Jefferson		at-large
1807–1809	10th	U.S. House	Republican	Thomas Jefferson		at-large

Election results
Year	Office		Subject	Party	votes	%		Opponent	Party	votes	%	Notes
1804	U.S. Representative		David Hall	Republican	2,682	47%		James M. Broom	Federalist	3,010	53%	[1][2]
1806	U.S. Representative		Thomas Fitzgerald	Republican	830	21%		James M. Broom	Federalist	2,353	61%	[3]

Notes

1. This was a special election to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of James A. Bayard, Sr..
2. An additional candidate was Isaac H. Starr (24).
3. Additional candidates were Joseph Haslet (382), and Thomas Montgomery (323).

References

• Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress
• Delaware's Members of Congress
• Find a Grave
• The Political Graveyard

Places with more information

• Delaware Historical Society; website; 505 North Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801; [phone]
• University of Delaware; Library website; 181 South College Avenue, Newark, Delaware 19717; [phone]