A special election was held in North Carolina's 5th congressional district on August 8, 1805[1] to fill a vacancy left by the death of Representative James Gillespie (DR) on January 5, 1805,[2] before the 9th Congress began, but after the general elections had taken place for the 8th Congress.
The first session of the 9th Congress began on December 2, 1805[5] so that this vacancy was filled prior to the first meeting of Congress.