James Monroe (New York politician)
James Monroe (born in Albemarle County, Virginia, on September 10, 1799 – September 7, 1870) was an American politician who served as the United States Representative from New York (1839–1841). He was the nephew of President James Monroe.
Early life
Monroe was born to Ann and Andrew Augustine Monroe (1755–1826), the older brother of his namesake and future president, James Monroe (1758–1831).
His grandfather, Spence Monroe (1727–1774), was a moderately prosperous planter who also practiced carpentry. His grandmother Elizabeth Jones (1730–1774) Monroe in 1752 and they had several children.[1] His paternal 2x-great grandfather, Patrick Andrew Monroe, emigrated to America from Scotland in the mid-17th century. In 1650, he patented a large tract of land in Washington Parish, Westmoreland County, Virginia. Among James Monroe's ancestors were French Huguenot immigrants, who came to Virginia in 1700.[1]
Career
Military service
Monroe graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1815, and was commissioned in the Artillery Corps. Shortly after graduating, he was sent to fight in the war with Algiers, and was wounded while serving as a gunnery officer on board the USS Guerriere. From 1817 to 1822, he served as aide-de-camp to General Winfield Scott, receiving a promotion to first lieutenant in December 1818. Upon the re-organization of the US Army in 1821, he was assigned to the 4th Artillery Regiment. In June 1832, he was again appointed as General Scott’s aide for the Black Hawk War, but shortly afterward contracted cholera. He resigned his commission on September 30, 1832 and moved to New York City.[2]
Political career
Monroe served as assistant alderman of New York City in 1832, alderman 1833-1835, and president of the board of aldermen in 1834. He was elected as a Whig to the 26th United States Congress, holding office from March 4, 1839, to March 3, 1841. He was a member of the New York State Assembly (New York Co.) in 1850 and 1852.
Personal life
He married Eliza Douglas Monroe (1799–1852), with whom he had:
- William D. Monroe
- Fanny Monroe (1826–1906).
Following his wife's death he retired from public life to Orange, New Jersey, where he died on September 7, 1870 at age of 70, days before his 71st birthday. He is interred at Trinity Church Cemetery in Manhattan.
References
- Notes
- 1 2 Harry Ammon, James Monroe: The Quest for National Identity (1990), p. 577
- ↑ Career profile
- Sources
- Ammon, Harry. "James Monroe" in Henry F. Graff ed., The Presidents: A Reference History (1997)
- United States Congress. "James Monroe (id: M000856)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
External links
| New York Assembly | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Garret H. Striker |
New York State Assembly New York County, 10th District 1850 |
Succeeded by Lebbeus B. Ward |
| Preceded by Lebbeus B. Ward |
New York State Assembly New York County, 10th District 1852 |
Succeeded by Henry Shaw |
| United States House of Representatives | ||
| Preceded by Churchill C. Cambreleng, Edward Curtis, Ogden Hoffman, Ely Moore |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 3rd congressional district 1839 – 1841 with Edward Curtis, Moses H. Grinnell and Ogden Hoffman |
Succeeded by Charles G. Ferris, John McKeon, James I. Roosevelt, Fernando Wood |