James Monroe (New York politician)

James Monroe (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.[1]

James Monroe
Member of the New York State Assembly from the 10th District
In office January 1, 1852 – December 31, 1852
Preceded by	Lebbeus B. Ward
Succeeded by	Henry Shaw
In office January 1, 1850 – December 31, 1850
Preceded by	Garret H. Striker
Succeeded by	Lebbeus B. Ward
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 3rd District
In office March 4, 1839 – March 3, 1841
Preceded by	Churchill C. Cambreleng, Edward Curtis, Ogden Hoffman, Ely Moore
Succeeded by	Charles G. Ferris, Fernando Wood, James I. Roosevelt, John McKeon
Personal details
Born	(1799-09-10)September 10, 1799 Albemarle County, Virginia
Died	September 7, 1870(1870-09-07) (aged 70) Orange, New Jersey
Political party	Whig
Spouse(s)	Elizabeth Mary Douglas
Children	2
Parents	Ann Bell Andrew Augustine Monroe
Relatives	James Monroe (uncle) Elizabeth Kortright (aunt)
Alma mater	United States Military Academy
Military service
Allegiance	United States of America
Branch/service	4th Artillery Regiment
Years of service	1815-1822, 1832-1832
Rank	First lieutenant
Battles/wars	Second Barbary War:  • Battle off Cape Gata Black Hawk War

Early life

James Monroe was born in Albemarle County, Virginia on September 10, 1799. He was born to Ann (née Bell) Monroe and Andrew Augustine Monroe (1755–1826). His father the older brother of his namesake and future president, James Monroe (1758–1831).[2]

His paternal 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.[3] 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.[3]

Career

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,[4] 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.[5]

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.[6] He was a member of the New York State Assembly (New York Co.) in 1850 and 1852.[4]

Personal life

He married Elizabeth "Eliza" Mary Douglas (1799–1852), daughter of George Douglas (1741–1799) and Margaret Corne (1767–1827). Together, they were the parents of::

• George Monroe, who entered the seminary.[1]
• William D. Monroe[1]
• Frances "Fanny" Monroe (1824–1906), who married Douglas Robinson Sr. (1824–1893)

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.[4] He is interred at Trinity Church Cemetery in Manhattan.[4][7]

Descendants

Monroe's grandson, Douglas Robinson Jr. (1855–1918), married Corinne Roosevelt (1861–1933), the younger sister of President Theodore Roosevelt and an aunt of First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt. Their children, and Monroe's great-grandchildren include Connecticut Representative Corinne Douglas Robinson (1886–1971) and New York State Senator Theodore Douglas Robinson (1883–1934), who married his distant cousin Helen Rebecca Roosevelt, daughter of James Roosevelt (1854—1927), the brother of FDR, and Helen Schermerhorn Astor (1855—1893) of the Astor family.[8][9]

References

1. "James Monroe (1799-1870) Family Papers, 1806-1860". scdb.swem.wm.edu. The College of William and Mary. Archived from the original on 10 May 2017. Retrieved 8 December 2016.
2. Ammon, Harry. "James Monroe" in Henry F. Graff ed., The Presidents: A Reference History (1997).
3. Harry Ammon, James Monroe: The Quest for National Identity (1990), p. 577
4. "Death of Col. James Monroe". The New York Times. 10 September 1870. Retrieved 8 December 2016.
5. Career profile
6. "MONROE, James - Biographical Information". bioguide.congress.gov. Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved 8 December 2016.
7. "Funeral Honors to Col. Monroe". The New York Times. 11 September 1870. Retrieved 8 December 2016.
8. Taylor, Robert Lewis. Along The Way: Two Paths From One Ancestry Xlibris Corporation, 2014
9. Brogan, Hugh and Mosley, Charles American Presidential Families October 1993, page 568

External links

• United States Congress. "James Monroe (id: M000856)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
• James Monroe at Find a Grave

• James Monroe

New York State 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
U.S. 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