Background
James was born on May 15, 1788 in Charleston, South Carolina, United States. The son of Philip and Catherine (Edwards) Gadsden.
James was born on May 15, 1788 in Charleston, South Carolina, United States. The son of Philip and Catherine (Edwards) Gadsden.
James Gadsden graduated from Yale in 1806.
James Gadsden served as Lieutenant of engrs. United States Army during War of 1812. Promoted captain, charged with construction of defense on Gulf frontier, 1818. He was an Inspector general Southern division United States Army, 1820. Commissioned colonel, 1820. Adjutant general, 1821.
James Gadsden was appointed commissioner to effect removal of Seminole Indians to reservations in S. Florida, 1823 (accomplished by Treaty of Fort Moultrie). Member 1st Florida Legislative Council, 1824. President Louisville, Cincinnati & Charleston R.R., 1840-1850, (reincorporated as South Carolina. He served at Railroad Company 1842), unsuccessfully urged construction of a railway to Pacific at various Southern convs., Augusta, Georgia, 1837-1838, Charleston, 1839, Memphis, Tennessee, 1845. United States minister to Mexico, purchased a small strip of territory known as the Gadsden Purchase now part of New Mexico and Arizona through which the major roads to the West traveled, added 45,535 square miles to United States.
James Gadsden was a leading advocate of Southern nationalism was the minister to Mexico responsible for the "Gadsden Treaty" in 1853. It resulted in the Gadsden Purchase from Mexico of about 30, 000 square miles (78, 000 km2) of land in northmost Mexico for $10, 000, 000 (southern portions of Arizona and New Mexico). He also helped to establish Fort Brooke at the site of the present-day city of Tampa, Florida.
Gadsden County, Florida, was named in his honor, and also the city of Gadsden, Alabama, and the town of Gadsden, Arizona.
James Gadsden was married to Susanna Gibbes Horticultural.
