James Brown Mason

James Brown Mason
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Rhode Island's at-large district
In office
March 4, 1815 – March 3, 1819
Preceded by Elisha Reynolds Potter
Succeeded by Nathaniel Hazard
Personal details
Born (1775-01-28)January 28, 1775
Thompson, Connecticut
Died August 31, 1819(1819-08-31) (aged 44)
Providence, Rhode Island
Resting place North Burial Ground
Political party Federalist
Spouse(s) Alice Brown
Parents John Mason, Rosanna Mason
Residence Charleston, South Carolina and Providence, Rhode Island
Alma mater Brown University
Occupation Physician

James Brown Mason (January 28, 1775 – August 31, 1819) was an American physician and legislator who served in the Rhode Island House of Representatives from 1804 to 1814, where he was speaker from 1812 to 1814. Elected to Congress in November 1814, he represented one of Rhode Island's two at-large congressional districts from 1815 until 1819.

Biography

Born in the small rural Connecticut town of Thompson[1] to John and Rose Anna (Brown) Mason,[2] young James pursued classical studies and graduated from Providence's Brown University in 1791.[1][2][3] He studied medicine and was admitted to practice.[1] He moved to Charleston, South Carolina, and practiced 1795–1798.[1][2]

In South Carolina, James met and married his first wife. Upon her death in 1798, he returned to Rhode Island.[2]

In Providence, Rhode Island, James engaged in mercantile pursuits 1798–1819.[1] He served as member of the State house of representatives 1804–1814 and served as speaker from February 1812 to May 1814.[1]

The Grosvenor Boys (James Brown Mason's nephews) by James Sullivan Lincoln
Dr. William Grosvenor (James Brown Mason's son in law) by George Peter Alexander Healy

James married Alice Brown (1777-1823), the youngest daughter of John Brown and Sarah (Smith) Brown, on July 16, 1800.[2] Her father was a wealthy merchant, slave trader, and statesman from Providence, Rhode Island, and a founder of Brown University. James and Alice's children were: Abby Mason, who married Nicholas Brown III (1792–1859); Sarah Brown Mason, who married first George B. Ruggles, and second Levi C. Eaton; and Rosa Anna Mason, who married William Grosvenor.[2]

Mason was elected as a Federalist to the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Congresses (March 4, 1815 – March 3, 1819).[1] He was not a candidate for renomination in 1818 to the Sixteenth Congress.[1] He served as a trustee of Brown University 1804-1819.[1][3]

Death and burial

Six months after leaving Congress, Mason died in Providence at the age of 44 and was interred in North Burial Ground.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Mason, James Brown (1775-1819)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. US Congress. Retrieved 14 August 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 The Biographical Cyclopedia of Representative Men of Rhode Island. National biographical publishing Company. 1881. p. 189. Retrieved 14 August 2016.
  3. 1 2 Historical Catalogue of Brown University. Providence: Brown University. 1914. p. 61. Retrieved 14 August 2016.
  • United States Congress. "James Brown Mason (id: M000215)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress website http://bioguide.congress.gov.

U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by
Elisha R. Potter		 Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Rhode Island's at-large congressional district
1815-1819		 Succeeded by
Nathaniel Hazard
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