David Stewart (September 13, 1800January 5, 1858) was an attorney and politician from Baltimore, Maryland. A Democrat, he was most notable for his service in the Maryland Senate and his brief service as an interim U.S. Senator from 1849 to 1850.
Stewart was born and raised in Baltimore, graduated from Union College in 1819, and studied law. He was admitted to the bar in 1821 and practiced in Baltimore. Stewart was active in politics, first as a Democratic-Republican, then as a National Republican and a Whig, and finally as a Democrat. As a Whig, he represented Baltimore in the Maryland Senate from 1838 to 1840. As a Democrat, in late 1849 he was appointed to temporarily fill a vacancy in the U.S. Senate, and he served until early 1850.
Stewart died in Baltimore on January 5, 1858. He was buried at "Old Westminster" Burying Ground in Baltimore.
Early life
Stewart was born in Baltimore, Maryland on September 13, 1800, the only child of John Stewart and Helen West. His mother was from a prominent Philadelphia family; her father, William West, was known for supporting the Patriot cause during the American Revolution. He then studied law, attained admission to the bar in 1821, and commenced practice in Baltimore. In addition, Stewart served in the 27th Regiment of the Maryland Militia, first as a first lieutenant in the company commanded by Captain John M. Kane, and later as commander of the regiment's 5th Company with the rank of captain.
Start of career
In 1822, Stewart was an unsuccessful Democratic-Republican candidate for the Maryland House of Delegates. In 1826, Stewart was selected to serve as secretary of a meeting of supporters of Democratic-Republican John Montgomery, who was running for reelection as mayor of Baltimore. In the early 1830s, Stewart was an opponent of President Andrew Jackson's policies, and was identified with the National Republican Party. He was a candidate for member of the electoral college in 1832, and National Republican Henry Clay won Maryland's electoral votes, but Stewart was not chosen as an elector.
In 1838, the Maryland Senate was reformed to allow for districts and direct election. Stewart, now identified with the Whig Party, was elected to represent the city of Baltimore in 1838 and 1839. Stewart sometimes represented slaves who sought manumission by self-purchase; this representation usually required him to negotiate terms of sale with the owners.