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]

Quick Facts Member of the New York State Assembly from the 10th District, Preceded by ...

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	Elizabeth Mary Douglas
Children	2
Parent(s)	Ann Bell Andrew Augustine Monroe
Relatives	James Monroe (uncle) Elizabeth Kortright (aunt-in-law)
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

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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 was 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]

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]

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)
• Elizabeth Mary Monroe (c.1833–1857), who married Solomon Betts Davies (1827–1860)

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]