1796 and 1797 United States House of Representatives elections


Elections to the United States House of Representatives for the 5th Congress took place in the various states took place between August 12, 1796, and October 15, 1797. The first session was convened on May 15, 1797, at the proclamation of the new President of the United States, John Adams. Since Kentucky and Tennessee had not yet voted, they were unrepresented until the second session.
Gains for the Federalist Party provided the president with a reliable majority in support of his policies. Many of the Federalist pick-ups in Congress came from the former Middle Colonies. New England remained heavily Federalist, whereas the South and West favored Democratic-Republican candidates. Federalist trade and infrastructure policies found widespread approval in the Mid-Atlantic states during this era. With the growth of cities in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New York, government intervention in the interest of industrialization and mercantilism became more attractive to voting citizens in these areas.
During this period, each state fixed its own date for a congressional general election. Elections to a Congress took place both in the even-numbered year before and in the odd-numbered year when the Congress convened. In some states the congressional delegation was not elected until after the legal start of the Congress.

Election summaries

During this period, each state fixed its own date for a congressional general election. Elections took place both in the even-numbered year before and in the odd-numbered year when a Congress convened. In some states, the congressional delegation was not elected until after the legal start of the Congress. The 1st session of the 5th Congress ran May 15 – July 10, 1797, before the states of Kentucky and Tennessee had their elections, causing those states to be unrepresented in the 1st session.

Special elections

Elections are sorted by election date, then by district.

Fourth Congress

There were special and late elections to the 4th Congress in 1796.

Fifth Congress

There were special and late elections to the 5th Congress in 1797.
DistrictIncumbentPartyFirst
elected
ResultCandidates
Daniel BuckFederalist1795Incumbent re-elected, but declined to serve.
New member elected May 23, 1797.
Federalist hold.
11.2%
Amasa Paine 6.6%
Scattering 11.8%
Theophilus BradburyFederalist1794–1795Incumbent resigned July 24, 1797.
New member elected August 4, 1797.
Federalist hold.
New member was seated November 27, 1797.
Bailey Bartlett 81.4%
Scattering 18.6%
Jeremiah SmithFederalist1794Incumbent resigned July 26, 1797.
New member elected August 28, 1797.
Federalist hold.
New member was seated December 15, 1797.
First ballot :
Peleg Sprague 43.3%
Woodbury Langdon 22.5%
Edward Livermore 21.3%
Others 12.8%

Second ballot :
√ Peleg Sprague 66.6%
Woodbury Langdon 33.4%
Elisha PotterFederalist1796 Incumbent resigned sometime in 1797.
New member elected August 29, 1797.
Federalist hold.
New member was seated November 13, 1797.
Thomas Tillinghast 78.3%
James Burrill, Jr. 18.1%
Scattering 3.6%
William L. SmithFederalist1788Incumbent resigned July 10, 1797.
New member elected September 4–5, 1797.
Federalist hold.
New member was seated November 23, 1797.
Thomas Pinckney
Unopposed
James DavenportFederalist1796 Died August 3, 1797.
New member elected September 18, 1797.
Federalist hold.
New member was seated November 13, 1797.
William Edmond 56.3%
John Treadwell 24.8%
Gideon Granger Jr. 16.1%
David Daggett 2.8%
Andrew JacksonDemocratic-Republican1797 Incumbent resigned sometime in September 1797 when elected U.S. Senator.
New member elected September 26, 1797.
Democratic-Republican hold.
New member seated in November 23, 1797 despite being under the minimum age for service.
√ William C. C. Claiborne
John Rhea
John Carter
George EgeFederalist1796 Incumbent resigned sometime in October 1797.
New member elected October 10, 1797.
Democratic-Republican gain.
New member was seated December 1, 1797.
Joseph Hiester
Unopposed

Connecticut

Connecticut elected its seven representatives at-large on a general ticket.
DistrictIncumbentPartyFirst
elected
ResultCandidates

Uriah TracyFederalist1792Incumbent re-elected.
Winner declined to serve.
√ Uriah Tracy 13.8%
Roger Griswold 13.3%
Joshua Coit 12.1%
Zephaniah Swift 12.0%
Nathaniel Smith 11.9%
Chauncey Goodrich 9.7%
√ Samuel W. Dana 7.5%
James Davenport 6.2%
David Daggett 4.7%
John Allen 3.3%
William Edmond 3.3%
Jonathan Treadwell 2.6%
Gideon Granger 2.2%

Roger GriswoldFederalist1794Incumbent re-elected.√ Uriah Tracy 13.8%
√ Roger Griswold 13.3%
√ Joshua Coit 12.1%
√ Zephaniah Swift 12.0%
√ Nathaniel Smith 11.9%
√ Chauncey Goodrich 9.7%
√ Samuel W. Dana 7.5%
James Davenport 6.2%
David Daggett 4.7%
John Allen 3.3%
William Edmond 3.3%
Jonathan Treadwell 2.6%
Gideon Granger 2.2%

Joshua CoitFederalist1792Incumbent re-elected.√ Uriah Tracy 13.8%
√ Roger Griswold 13.3%
√ Joshua Coit 12.1%
√ Zephaniah Swift 12.0%
√ Nathaniel Smith 11.9%
√ Chauncey Goodrich 9.7%
√ Samuel W. Dana 7.5%
James Davenport 6.2%
David Daggett 4.7%
John Allen 3.3%
William Edmond 3.3%
Jonathan Treadwell 2.6%
Gideon Granger 2.2%

Zephariah SwiftFederalist1792Incumbent re-elected.
Winner declined to serve.
√ Uriah Tracy 13.8%
√ Roger Griswold 13.3%
√ Joshua Coit 12.1%
√ Zephaniah Swift 12.0%
√ Nathaniel Smith 11.9%
√ Chauncey Goodrich 9.7%
√ Samuel W. Dana 7.5%
James Davenport 6.2%
David Daggett 4.7%
John Allen 3.3%
William Edmond 3.3%
Jonathan Treadwell 2.6%
Gideon Granger 2.2%

Nathaniel SmithFederalist1795 Incumbent re-elected.√ Uriah Tracy 13.8%
√ Roger Griswold 13.3%
√ Joshua Coit 12.1%
√ Zephaniah Swift 12.0%
√ Nathaniel Smith 11.9%
√ Chauncey Goodrich 9.7%
√ Samuel W. Dana 7.5%
James Davenport 6.2%
David Daggett 4.7%
John Allen 3.3%
William Edmond 3.3%
Jonathan Treadwell 2.6%
Gideon Granger 2.2%

Chauncey GoodrichFederalist1794Incumbent re-elected.√ Uriah Tracy 13.8%
√ Roger Griswold 13.3%
√ Joshua Coit 12.1%
√ Zephaniah Swift 12.0%
√ Nathaniel Smith 11.9%
√ Chauncey Goodrich 9.7%
√ Samuel W. Dana 7.5%
James Davenport 6.2%
David Daggett 4.7%
John Allen 3.3%
William Edmond 3.3%
Jonathan Treadwell 2.6%
Gideon Granger 2.2%

James HillhouseFederalist1790Incumbent resigned July 1, 1796.
New member elected.
Federalist hold.
√ Uriah Tracy 13.8%
√ Roger Griswold 13.3%
√ Joshua Coit 12.1%
√ Zephaniah Swift 12.0%
√ Nathaniel Smith 11.9%
√ Chauncey Goodrich 9.7%
√ Samuel W. Dana 7.5%
James Davenport 6.2%
David Daggett 4.7%
John Allen 3.3%
William Edmond 3.3%
Jonathan Treadwell 2.6%
Gideon Granger 2.2%

Delaware

DistrictIncumbentPartyFirst
elected
ResultCandidates
John PattenDemocratic-Republican1794Incumbent retired.
New member elected.
Federalist gain.
√ James A. Bayard 56.3%
William Perry 43.7%

Georgia

DistrictIncumbentPartyFirst
elected
ResultCandidates

Abraham BaldwinDemocratic-Republican1789Incumbent re-elected.√ Abraham Baldwin 35.8%
John Milledge 33.1%
Thomas P. Carnes 18.7%
Francis Willis 10.5%
George Nailor 1.8%

John MilledgeDemocratic-Republican1794Incumbent re-elected.√ Abraham Baldwin 35.8%
√ John Milledge 33.1%
Thomas P. Carnes 18.7%
Francis Willis 10.5%
George Nailor 1.8%

Kentucky

DistrictIncumbentPartyFirst
elected
ResultCandidates

Christopher GreenupDemocratic-Republican1792Incumbent retired.
New member elected.
Democratic-Republican hold.
Thomas Terry Davis

Alexander D. OrrDemocratic-Republican1792Incumbent retired.
New member elected.
Democratic-Republican hold.
John Fowler
Notley Conn
Edmund Bollock

Maryland

Two of the four Democratic-Republicans were replaced by Federalists, bringing the Federalists from a 4-4 split to a 6-2 majority.
DistrictIncumbentPartyFirst
elected
ResultCandidates
George DentFederalist1792Incumbent re-elected.√ George Dent 99.7%
Philip Key 0.3%
Richard Sprigg, Jr.Democratic-Republican1796 Incumbent re-elected.√ Richard Sprigg, Jr. 100%
William CraikFederalist1796 Incumbent re-elected.√ William Craik 51.0%
Benjamin Edwards 49.0%
Thomas SpriggDemocratic-Republican1792Incumbent retired.
New member elected.
Federalist gain.
√ George Baer, Jr. 72.1%
Samuel Ringgold 27.9%
Samuel SmithDemocratic-Republican1792Incumbent re-elected.√ Samuel Smith 100%
Gabriel ChristieDemocratic-Republican1792Incumbent lost re-election.
New member elected.
Federalist gain.
William Matthews 51.5%
Gabriel Christie 48.5%
William HindmanFederalist1792Incumbent re-elected.√ William Hindman 62.6%
Robert Wright 37.4%
William V. MurrayFederalist1790Incumbent retired.
New member elected.
Federalist hold.
John Dennis 100%

Massachusetts

Massachusetts's electoral law required a majority for election, necessitating additional trials in three districts.

New Hampshire

In 1796, New Hampshire had a single at-large district with 4 seats. Each voter cast 4 votes and a majority of voters was required to be elected. Since only three candidates received a majority, a run-off was held between the candidates in fourth and fifth place to fill the remaining seat.
DistrictIncumbentPartyFirst
elected
ResultCandidates

Jeremiah SmithFederalist1790Incumbent re-elected.First ballot :
√ Jeremiah Smith 25.0%
Abiel Foster 24.3%
William Gordon 14.9%
Jonathan Freeman 9.5%
Peleg Sprague 4.4%
Woodbury Langdon 4.2%
John Prentice 4.1%
Thomas Cogwell 3.4%
Nathaniel Peabody 2.3%
John Bellows 2.1%
Joseph Cilley 1.9%
Nathaniel Rogers 1.9%

Second ballot :
√ Jonathan Freeman 72.5%
Peleg Sprague 27.5%

Nicholas GilmanFederalist1788/89Incumbent retired.
New member elected.
Federalist hold.
First ballot :
√ Jeremiah Smith 25.0%
√ Abiel Foster 24.3%
√ William Gordon 14.9%
Jonathan Freeman 9.5%
Peleg Sprague 4.4%
Woodbury Langdon 4.2%
John Prentice 4.1%
Thomas Cogwell 3.4%
Nathaniel Peabody 2.3%
John Bellows 2.1%
Joseph Cilley 1.9%
Nathaniel Rogers 1.9%

Second ballot :
√ Jonathan Freeman 72.5%
Peleg Sprague 27.5%

John Samuel SherburneDemocratic-Republican1792Incumbent retired.
New member elected.
Federalist gain.
First ballot :
√ Jeremiah Smith 25.0%
√ Abiel Foster 24.3%
√ William Gordon 14.9%
Jonathan Freeman 9.5%
Peleg Sprague 4.4%
Woodbury Langdon 4.2%
John Prentice 4.1%
Thomas Cogwell 3.4%
Nathaniel Peabody 2.3%
John Bellows 2.1%
Joseph Cilley 1.9%
Nathaniel Rogers 1.9%

Second ballot :
√ Jonathan Freeman 72.5%
Peleg Sprague 27.5%

Abiel FosterFederalist1794Incumbent re-elected.First ballot :
√ Jeremiah Smith 25.0%
√ Abiel Foster 24.3%
√ William Gordon 14.9%
Jonathan Freeman 9.5%
Peleg Sprague 4.4%
Woodbury Langdon 4.2%
John Prentice 4.1%
Thomas Cogwell 3.4%
Nathaniel Peabody 2.3%
John Bellows 2.1%
Joseph Cilley 1.9%
Nathaniel Rogers 1.9%

Second ballot :
√ Jonathan Freeman 72.5%
Peleg Sprague 27.5%

New Jersey

DistrictIncumbentPartyFirst
elected
ResultCandidates

Jonathan DaytonFederalist1791Incumbent re-elected.√ Jonathan Dayton 15.8%
Mark Thomson 10.4%
√ James H. Imlay 9.6%
James Schureman 9.3%
Thomas Sinnickson 9.1%
Aaron Kitchell 8.6%
Joseph Bloomfield 5.5%
James Linn 5.3%
Ebenezer Elmer 4.8%
John Condit 4.6%
William Crane 3.5%
Joseph Cooper 3.5%
William Helms 2.8%
Thomas Lowrey 1.5%
Jonathan Elmer 1.3%

Mark ThomsonFederalist1794Incumbent re-elected.√ Jonathan Dayton 15.8%
√ Mark Thomson 10.4%
√ James H. Imlay 9.6%
√ James Schureman 9.3%
√ Thomas Sinnickson 9.1%
Aaron Kitchell 8.6%
Joseph Bloomfield 5.5%
James Linn 5.3%
Ebenezer Elmer 4.8%
John Condit 4.6%
William Crane 3.5%
Joseph Cooper 3.5%
William Helms 2.8%
Thomas Lowrey 1.5%
Jonathan Elmer 1.3%

Aaron KitchellFederalist1794 Incumbent lost re-election.
New member elected.
Federalist hold.
√ Jonathan Dayton 15.8%
√ Mark Thomson 10.4%
√ James H. Imlay 9.6%
√ James Schureman 9.3%
√ Thomas Sinnickson 9.1%
Aaron Kitchell 8.6%
Joseph Bloomfield 5.5%
James Linn 5.3%
Ebenezer Elmer 4.8%
John Condit 4.6%
William Crane 3.5%
Joseph Cooper 3.5%
William Helms 2.8%
Thomas Lowrey 1.5%
Jonathan Elmer 1.3%

Thomas HendersonFederalist1794Incumbent lost re-election.
New member elected.
Federalist hold.
√ Jonathan Dayton 15.8%
√ Mark Thomson 10.4%
√ James H. Imlay 9.6%
√ James Schureman 9.3%
√ Thomas Sinnickson 9.1%
Aaron Kitchell 8.6%
Joseph Bloomfield 5.5%
James Linn 5.3%
Ebenezer Elmer 4.8%
John Condit 4.6%
William Crane 3.5%
Joseph Cooper 3.5%
William Helms 2.8%
Thomas Lowrey 1.5%
Jonathan Elmer 1.3%

Isaac SmithFederalist1794Incumbent retired.
New member elected.
Federalist hold.
√ Jonathan Dayton 15.8%
√ Mark Thomson 10.4%
√ James H. Imlay 9.6%
√ James Schureman 9.3%
√ Thomas Sinnickson 9.1%
Aaron Kitchell 8.6%
Joseph Bloomfield 5.5%
James Linn 5.3%
Ebenezer Elmer 4.8%
John Condit 4.6%
William Crane 3.5%
Joseph Cooper 3.5%
William Helms 2.8%
Thomas Lowrey 1.5%
Jonathan Elmer 1.3%

New York

DistrictIncumbentPartyFirst
elected
ResultCandidates
Jonathan Nicoll HavensDemocratic-Republican1794Incumbent re-elected.√ Jonathan Nicoll Havens 66.0%
Selah Strong 34.0%
Edward LivingstonDemocratic-Republican1794Incumbent re-elected.√ Edward Livingston 56.6%
James Watson 43.3%
Philip Van CourtlandtDemocratic-Republican1793Incumbent re-elected.√ Philip Van Courtlandt 50.3%
Samuel Haight 49.7%
John HathornDemocratic-Republican1794Incumbent retired.
New member elected.
Democratic-Republican hold.
Lucas Elmendorf 56.1%
Conrad E. Elmendorf 43.9%
Theodorus BaileyDemocratic-Republican1793Incumbent lost re-election.
New member elected.
Federalist gain.
David Brooks 54.5%
Theodorus Bailey 45.5%
Ezekiel GilbertFederalist1793Incumbent retired.
New member elected.
Federalist hold.
√ Hezekiah L. Hosmer 57.7%
John P. Van Ness 42.3%
John E. Van AlenFederalist1793Incumbent re-elected.√ John E. Van Alen 57.9%
John Woodworth 42.1%
Henry GlenFederalist1793Incumbent re-elected.√ Henry Glen 77.7%
Peter Swart 22.3%
John WilliamsDemocratic-Republican1794Incumbent re-elected as a Federalist.
Federalist gain.
√ John Williams 62.8%
James Gordon 27.3%
Douw I. Fonda 10.0%
William CooperFederalist1794Incumbent lost re-election.
New member elected.
Federalist hold.
James Cochran 50.6%
William Cooper 48.7%
Charles Williamson 0.7%

North Carolina

DistrictIncumbentPartyFirst
elected
ResultCandidates
James HollandDemocratic-Republican1795Incumbent lost re-election.
New member elected.
Democratic-Republican hold.
Joseph McDowell
James Holland
Matthew LockeDemocratic-Republican1793Incumbent re-elected.√ Matthew Locke 56.9%
Nathaniel Alexander 27.1%
Robert Irwin 15.8%
Others 0.2%
Jesse FranklinDemocratic-Republican1795Incumbent lost re-election.
New member elected.
Democratic-Republican hold.
Robert Williams
Jesse Franklin
William F. StrudwickFederalist1796 Incumbent retired.
New member elected.
Democratic-Republican gain.
Richard Stanford
Absalom Tatom
William Sheppard
Stephen Moore
Nathaniel MaconDemocratic-Republican1791Incumbent re-elected.√ Nathaniel Macon
James GillespieDemocratic-Republican1793Incumbent re-elected.√ James Gillespie
William H. Hill
James Keenan
Gabriel Holmes
William B. GroveFederalist1791Incumbent re-elected.√ William B. Grove 73.4%
Duncan MacFarland 26.6%
Dempsey BurgesDemocratic-Republican1795Incumbent re-elected.√ Dempsey Burges
Joseph Riddick
James Gregory
James Brown
Thomas BlountDemocratic-Republican1793Incumbent re-elected.√ Thomas Blount
Willis Alston
Nathan BryanDemocratic-Republican1795Incumbent re-elected.√ Nathan Bryan 54.1%
Richard D. Spaight 45.9%

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

Rhode Island had an at-large district with two seats, each of which were elected separately.
DistrictIncumbentPartyFirst
elected
ResultCandidates

Benjamin BourneFederalist1790Incumbent re-elected.
Winner later declined the seat.
√ Benjamin Bourne 99.9%
Others 0.1%

Francis MalboneFederalist1792Incumbent retired.
New member elected.
Federalist hold.
√ Christopher G. Champlin 51.4%
William Greene 48.4%
Others 0.2%

South Carolina

DistrictIncumbentPartyFirst
elected
ResultCandidates

William L. SmithFederalist1788Incumbent re-elected.√ William L. Smith 84.8%
Robert Simons 13.6%
John Rutledge 1.6%

Wade HamptonDemocratic-Republican1794Incumbent retired.
New member elected.
Federalist gain.
John Rutledge, Jr. 87.3%
Elnathan Haskell 16.7%

Lemuel BentonDemocratic-Republican1793Incumbent re-elected.√ Lemuel Benton 63.3%
Tristam Thomas 24.4%
Joseph Blyth 12.3%

Richard WinnDemocratic-Republican1793Incumbent lost re-election.
New member elected.
Democratic-Republican hold.
Thomas Sumter 50.7%
Richard Winn 49.3%

Robert Goodloe HarperFederalist1794Incumbent re-elected.√ Robert Goodloe Harper 67.6%
William Butler 32.4%

Samuel EarleDemocratic-Republican1794Incumbent retired.
New member elected.
Democratic-Republican hold.
William Smith 37.0%
Abraham Nott 32.5%
William Will 25.4%
Samuel Lowrie 2.6%
Robert Anderson 2.5%

Tennessee

DistrictIncumbentPartyFirst
elected
ResultCandidates
Andrew JacksonDemocratic-Republican1796Incumbent re-elected.
Winner later resigned in September 1797 when elected U.S. Senator.
√ Andrew Jackson

Vermont

Due to Vermont's law requiring a majority to secure a congressional seat, the 1st district required three ballots to choose a winner.
DistrictIncumbentPartyFirst
elected
ResultCandidates

Israel SmithDemocratic-Republican1791Incumbent lost re-election.
New member elected.
Democratic-Republican hold.
First ballot
Matthew Lyon 40.7%
Israel Smith 22.1%
Samuel Williams 7.3%
Nathaniel Chipman 7.1%
Isaac Tichenor 6.5%
Gideon Olin 4.5%
Enoch Woodbridge 4.3%
Jonas Galusha 3.4%
Daniel Chipman 2.0%
Samuel Hitchcock 1.2%
Others 1.0%

Second ballot
Matthew Lyon 46.7%
Samuel Hitchcock 25.7%
Israel Smith 21.4%
Samuel Williams 2.9%
Gideon Olin 1.1%
Others 2.3%

Third ballot
√ Matthew Lyon 55.1%
Samuel Hitchcock 29.4%
Israel Smith 8.9%
Jonas Galusha 3.9%
Samuel Williams 0.7%
Scattering 2.1%

Daniel BuckFederalist1795Incumbent re-elected.
Winner declined the seat.
√ Daniel Buck 97.1%
Scattering 2.9%

Virginia

DistrictIncumbentPartyFirst
elected
ResultCandidates
Robert RutherfordDemocratic-Republican1793Incumbent lost re-election.
New member elected.
Federalist gain.
The election was unsuccessfully challenged by Rutherford.
Daniel Morgan
Robert Rutherford
Andrew MooreDemocratic-Republican1789Incumbent retired.
New member elected.
Democratic-Republican hold.
David Holmes 60.4%
John Steele 27.5%
John Bowyer 12.1%
George JacksonDemocratic-Republican1795Incumbent lost re-election.
New member elected.
Federalist gain.
James Machir 45.4%
George Jackson 28.7%
John Mitchell 20.1%
Thomas Wilson 5.7%
Francis PrestonDemocratic-Republican1793Incumbent retired.
New member elected.
Democratic-Republican hold.
Abram Trigg
George HancockFederalist1793Incumbent retired.
New member elected.
Democratic-Republican gain.
√ John J. Trigg
Isaac ColesDemocratic-Republican1793Incumbent retired.
New member elected.
Democratic-Republican hold.
Matthew Clay
Abraham B. VenableDemocratic-Republican1790Incumbent re-elected.√ Abraham B. Venable
Thomas ClaiborneDemocratic-Republican1793Incumbent re-elected.√ Thomas Claiborne 62.3%
Jesse Browne 37.7%
William B. GilesDemocratic-Republican1790Incumbent re-elected.√ William B. Giles
Carter B. HarrisonDemocratic-Republican1793Incumbent re-elected.√ Carter B. Harrison 55.4%
Edwin Gray 44.6%
Josiah ParkerFederalist1789Incumbent re-elected.√ Josiah Parker
John PageDemocratic-Republican1789Incumbent lost re-election.
New member elected.
Federalist gain.
Thomas Evans
John Page
John CloptonDemocratic-Republican1795Incumbent re-elected.√ John Clopton
Burwell Bassett
Samuel J. CabellDemocratic-Republican1795Incumbent re-elected.√ Samuel J. Cabell
James Madison Jr.Democratic-Republican1789Incumbent retired.
New member elected.
Democratic-Republican hold.
John Dawson
Thomas Posey
Anthony NewDemocratic-Republican1793Incumbent re-elected.√ Anthony New 70.6%
Carter Braxton Jr. 29.3%
Robert P. Waring 0.1%
Richard BrentDemocratic-Republican1795Incumbent re-elected.√ Richard Brent 100%
Leven Powell
John NicholasDemocratic-Republican1793Incumbent re-elected.√ John Nicholas
John Blackwell
William Fitzhugh
John HeathDemocratic-Republican1793Incumbent retired.
New member elected.
Democratic-Republican hold.
Walter Jones
Burgess Ball