James Brown Mason
James Brown Mason | |
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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 |
Thompson, Connecticut | January 28, 1775
Died |
August 31, 1819 44) Providence, Rhode Island | (aged
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]
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 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.
- 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.
- 1 2 Historical Catalogue of Brown University. Providence: Brown University. 1914. p. 61. Retrieved 14 August 2016.
External links
- United States Congress. "James Brown Mason (id: M000215)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
U.S. House of Representatives | ||
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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 |