Difference between revisions of "James Breckinridge"

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James Breckinridge (March 7, 1763 – May 13, 1833), was a Virginia lawyer and Federalist politician born in Augusta County, Virginia (now [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botetourt_County,_Virginia Botetourt County]) to Robert Breckenridge and Lettice Preston.<ref>Philander D. Chase,[ http://www.anb.org/articles/03/03-00062.html?a=1&n=James%20Breckinridge&d=10&ss=0&q=1 ''Breckinridge, James''], ''American National Biography Online'', accessed November 18, 2014.</ref> James was not the only politically active member of his family, as his older brother [http://lawlibrary.wm.edu/wythepedia/index.php/John_Breckinridge John] was attorney general to [http://lawlibrary.wm.edu/wythepedia/index.php/Thomas_Jefferson Thomas Jefferson].<ref>Mary Newton Stanard, “Breckenridge, James” in “Dictionary of Virginia Biography” ed. Allen Johnson & Dumas Malone (New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1958), 6.</ref> Like his brother, James spelled his family name with an “i” instead of an “e.” <ref>Philander D. Chase,[ http://www.anb.org/articles/03/03-00062.html?a=1&n=James%20Breckinridge&d=10&ss=0&q=1 ''Breckinridge, James'']</ref> James’ early schooling was erratic because of the American Revolution and in 1781, at the age of only eighteen, he joined a corps of western riflemen.<ref>Ibid.</ref> Later the same year, Breckinridge became an officer under [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nathanael_Greene General Nathanael Greene] in North Carolina.<ref> Mary Newton Stanard, “Breckenridge, James.”</ref> Later in life, James resumed his military career for a brief time: at the age of 51 and on account of the War of 1812, Virginia’s governor appointed him brigadier general of the Third Brigade of state militia.<ref> Philander D. Chase,[ http://www.anb.org/articles/03/03-00062.html?a=1&n=James%20Breckinridge&d=10&ss=0&q=1“Breckinridge, James”]</ref> The militia guarded Richmond and reinforced troops in Baltimore, but it did not see combat.<ref>Ibid.</ref><br />
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James Breckinridge (March 7, 1763 – May 13, 1833), was a Virginia lawyer and Federalist politician born in Augusta County, Virginia (now [[wikipedia:Botetourt County, Virginia|Botetourt County]]) to Robert Breckenridge and Lettice Preston.<ref>Philander D. Chase, [http://www.anb.org/articles/03/03-00062.html?a=1&n=James%20Breckinridge&d=10&ss=0&q=1 "Breckinridge, James"], ''American National Biography Online'', accessed November 18, 2014.</ref> James was not the only politically active member of his family; his older brother [[John Breckinridge|John]] was Attorney General to [[Thomas Jefferson]].<ref>Mary Newton Stanard, "Breckenridge, James" in ''Dictionary of Virginia Biography'', ed. Allen Johnson & Dumas Malone (New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1958), 6.</ref> James' early schooling was erratic because of the American Revolution and in 1781, at the age of eighteen, he joined a corps of western riflemen.<ref>Ibid.</ref> Later that year, he became an officer under General [[wikipedia:Nathanael Greene|Nathanael Greene]] in North Carolina.<ref> Mary Newton Stanard, "Breckenridge, James."</ref> Later in life, Breckinridge resumed his military career for a brief time: at the age of 51, on account of the War of 1812, Virginia's governor appointed him brigadier general of the Third Brigade of state militia.<ref> Philander D. Chase, "Breckinridge, James."</ref> The militia guarded Richmond and reinforced troops in Baltimore, but it did not see combat.<ref>Ibid.</ref>
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In 1782, James began his career in public service as the Deputy Clerk of Botetourt County.<ref>Ibid.</ref> By 1784 he had become a land surveyor and, like many of his time, sought to settle in Kentucky.<ref>Ibid.</ref> Instead, he entered the College of William & Mary in November 1786.<ref>Ibid.</ref> Like his brother John, James studied law under [http://lawlibrary.wm.edu/wythepedia/index.php/George_Wythe George Wythe].<ref>Ibid.</ref> In 1788, James attended the Virginia Ratifying Convention, at which time his Federalist leanings were already becoming apparent.<ref>Ibid.</ref> He abandoned his studies in 1788, but was admitted to the bar in 1789.<ref>Ibid.</ref> In 1789, James was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates, the first of his 13 terms.<ref>Ibid.</ref> He interrupted his time in the House of Delegates in the mid 1790’s, when he served as a commonwealth attorney.<ref>Ibid.</ref> James became active in national politics in 1809, when he was elected to the United States House of Representatives.<ref>Ibid.</ref> He served four terms and returned to the Virginia House of Delegates.<ref>Ibid.</ref> Unlike his Republican brother John, James was a Federalist.<ref>Ibid.</ref> Because this was a minority party at the time, James’ political career was stunted and he lost elections for United States Senate, and for Virginia Governor.<ref>Ibid.</ref> As a politician, James supported the creation of roads and plans for the University of Virginia.<ref>Ibid.</ref><br />
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In 1782, Breckinridge began his career in public service as the Deputy Clerk of Botetourt County.<ref>Ibid.</ref> By 1784 he had become a land surveyor. Breckinridge entered the College of William & Mary in November 1786, and like his brother John, studied law under [[George Wythe]].<ref>Ibid.</ref> In 1788, Breckinridge attended the Virginia Ratifying Convention, at which time his Federalist leanings were already becoming apparent.<ref>Ibid.</ref> He abandoned his studies in 1788, but was admitted to the bar in 1789. That same year, Breckinridge was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates, the first of his 13 terms.<ref>Ibid.</ref> He interrupted his time in the House of Delegates in the mid-1790s, when he served as a commonwealth attorney. Breckinridge became active in national politics in 1809, when he was elected to the United States House of Representatives.<ref>Ibid.</ref>
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He married Anne Selden in 1791 and settled in Botetourt County on a plantation he named Grove Hill.<ref>Ibid.</ref> They were married at Old St. John’s Church in Richmond by Reverend James Buchanan on New Year’s Day 1791.<ref> Mary Newton Stanard, “Breckenridge, James.”</ref> James and Anne had 10 children and 49 slaves.<ref> Philander D. Chase,[ http://www.anb.org/articles/03/03-00062.html?a=1&n=James%20Breckinridge&d=10&ss=0&q=1 ''Breckinridge, James'']</ref> In his later life, James served as a member of the Board of Visitors of the University of Virginia.<ref>Ibid.</ref> He served in this position until his death at Grove Hill in 1833.<ref>Ibid.</ref>
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Breckinridge married Anne Selden in 1791 and settled in Botetourt County on a plantation he named Grove Hill.<ref>Ibid.</ref> He and Anne had 10 children and owned 49 slaves.<ref>Ibid.</ref> In his later life, Breckinridge served as a member of the Board of Visitors of the University of Virginia, until his death at Grove Hill in 1833.<ref>Ibid.</ref>
  
 
==See also==
 
==See also==
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*[[John Breckinridge]]
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[[Wythe the Teacher]]
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*[[Wythe the Teacher]]
  
 
==References==
 
==References==

Latest revision as of 07:49, 22 September 2017

James Breckinridge (March 7, 1763 – May 13, 1833), was a Virginia lawyer and Federalist politician born in Augusta County, Virginia (now Botetourt County) to Robert Breckenridge and Lettice Preston.[1] James was not the only politically active member of his family; his older brother John was Attorney General to Thomas Jefferson.[2] James' early schooling was erratic because of the American Revolution and in 1781, at the age of eighteen, he joined a corps of western riflemen.[3] Later that year, he became an officer under General Nathanael Greene in North Carolina.[4] Later in life, Breckinridge resumed his military career for a brief time: at the age of 51, on account of the War of 1812, Virginia's governor appointed him brigadier general of the Third Brigade of state militia.[5] The militia guarded Richmond and reinforced troops in Baltimore, but it did not see combat.[6]

In 1782, Breckinridge began his career in public service as the Deputy Clerk of Botetourt County.[7] By 1784 he had become a land surveyor. Breckinridge entered the College of William & Mary in November 1786, and like his brother John, studied law under George Wythe.[8] In 1788, Breckinridge attended the Virginia Ratifying Convention, at which time his Federalist leanings were already becoming apparent.[9] He abandoned his studies in 1788, but was admitted to the bar in 1789. That same year, Breckinridge was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates, the first of his 13 terms.[10] He interrupted his time in the House of Delegates in the mid-1790s, when he served as a commonwealth attorney. Breckinridge became active in national politics in 1809, when he was elected to the United States House of Representatives.[11]

Breckinridge married Anne Selden in 1791 and settled in Botetourt County on a plantation he named Grove Hill.[12] He and Anne had 10 children and owned 49 slaves.[13] In his later life, Breckinridge served as a member of the Board of Visitors of the University of Virginia, until his death at Grove Hill in 1833.[14]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Philander D. Chase, "Breckinridge, James", American National Biography Online, accessed November 18, 2014.
  2. ↑ Mary Newton Stanard, "Breckenridge, James" in Dictionary of Virginia Biography, ed. Allen Johnson & Dumas Malone (New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1958), 6.
  3. ↑ Ibid.
  4. ↑ Mary Newton Stanard, "Breckenridge, James."
  5. ↑ Philander D. Chase, "Breckinridge, James."
  6. ↑ Ibid.
  7. ↑ Ibid.
  8. ↑ Ibid.
  9. ↑ Ibid.
  10. ↑ Ibid.
  11. ↑ Ibid.
  12. ↑ Ibid.
  13. ↑ Ibid.
  14. ↑ Ibid.
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