| STANLY, John, (father of Edward Stanly), a Representative from North Carolina. Stanly was described by Archibald D. Murphey as "Small in stature, neat in dress, graceful in manner, with a voice well modulated, and a mind intrepid, disciplined and rich in knowledge, he became the most accomplished orator of the State."
Born in New Bern, N.C., April 9, 1774; received his early education from private tutors; attended Princeton University; studied law; was admitted to the bar in 1799 and practiced; clerk and master in equity
NC House of Commons (F-New Bern Town) 1798-1799
U.S. Representative (F-NC) 1801-1803, 1809-1811
Killed Gov. Richard D. Spaight in a duel on 9/5/1802. When the Spaight family initiated legal proceedings against Stanly, Gov. Benjamin Williams pardoned him. The NC Legislature immediately passed an anti-duelling law.
Resumed the practice of his profession
Candidate for Presidential Elector (F-NC) 1812, 1816. Supported Charles C. Pinckney for President in 1812 instead of DeWitt Clinton, but assented to being a candidate for Elector on the Clinton ticket.
NC House of Commons (F-New Bern Town) 1812-1815, 1818-1819, 1823-1827; served as Speaker 1825-1826 and earned a reputation as an impartial chairman. Suffered a paralytic stroke on 1/16/1827 while presiding over the House.
NC House of Commons (F-Craven) 1821
President, Bank of New Bern 1817-1827
Died in New Bern, N.C., August 2, 1833; interment in Episcopal Cemetery. Note that local newspapers carried the obituary for Stanly in 1833, not in 1834 as the Biographical Directory states.
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Norman D. Brown, Edward Stanly: Whiggery's Tarheel 'Conqueror', p. 7-17, 21-23. | 
