A special election was held in October 6âÂÂ8, 1801 to fill a vacancy left by the resignation of John Bird (F) on July 26, 1801, prior to the first meeting of the 7th Congress.
John P. Van Ness took his seat December 7, 1801, but did not complete the term, as he was appointed by President Thomas Jefferson as a major in the militia of the District of Columbia and on January 17, 1803, his seat was declared vacant and left vacant until the start of the Eighth Congress.