Biography

08/28/1755 - 04/23/1813

Doctor Benjamin Say, Sr. (Democratic-Republicans1) Delaware, Philadelphia City, Philadelphia Counties, 1799-1801

Early Life:

Doctor Benjamin Say, Sr., born August 28, 1755, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Province of Pennsylvania, British Colonial America; son of Thomas and Rebekah Atkinson Budd Say; Friends schools; University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, medical department, 1780; practicing physician, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; apothecary; served, Continental Army, Revolutionary War; fellow, founder, College of Physicians of Philadelphia, 1787; treasurer, College of Physicians of Philadelphia, 1791-1809; unsuccessful campaigns Pennsylvania State House of Representatives, Philadelphia City, 1795, 1796, 1797; elected, Democratic-Republicans, Pennsylvania State Senate, 1799-1801, declined, second term; member, Pennsylvania Prison Society; president, Pennsylvania Humane Society; unsuccessful campaign, Sheriff, Philadelphia City and County, Pennsylvania 1803; elected, Select Council, Philadelphia City, Pennsylvania, 1809; elected, Jeffersonian Republican, United States House of Representatives, reelected, United States House of Representatives 1808- resigned 1809; married, Ann Bartram Bonsall, 1776, children, Benjamin Say, Miriam M. Say Stones; died, April 23, 1813, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; interment, Say Family Burial Ground, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. 

Pennsylvania Politics:

Unsuccessful campaigns Pennsylvania State House of Representatives, Philadelphia City, 1795, 1796, 1797.

Elected, Democratic-Republicans, Pennsylvania State Senate, 1st district, Delaware, Philadelphia City, Philadelphia Counties, 1799-1801, declined, second term. 

Unsuccessful campaign, Sheriff, Philadelphia City and County, Pennsylvania 1803.

Elected, Select Council, Philadelphia City, Pennsylvania, 1809.

Continued Government Service/National Politics:

Elected, Jeffersonian Republican, United States House of Representatives, vacancy, resignation, Joseph Clay; reelected, United States House of Representatives 1808- resigned 1809.

Legacy: 

College of Physicians of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Papers: 1796-1804, 1 ledger.

A ledger contains accounts with Benjamin Say's patients for attendance and medicines. Also included is a list of Say's memberships and degrees; pasted on following page, a manuscript copy of his letter, July 17, 1801, declining to run for a second term in the Pennsylvania State Senate.

Cited:

Cox, Harold. "Senate Members S". Wilkes University Election Statistics Project. Wilkes University.

A New Nation Votes (tufts.edu)

Dr Benjamin Say Sr. (1755-1813) - Find a Grave Memorial