James Breckinridge was an American soldier, lawyer, and congressman. He is noted for his service as a member of the House of Delegates (1789–1791, 1796–1802, 1806–1808, 1819–1821, 1823–1824), the United States House of Representatives (1809–1817), and the board of visitors of the University of Virginia (1819–1833).
Background
James Breckinridge was born on March 7, 1763 in Virginia. He was a brother of John Breckinridge, 1760-1806, and was the grandson of Alexander Breckenridge who emigrated from the north of Ireland to Virginia about 1738. His son Robert Breckenridge, a captain in the French and Indian War, married Letitia Preston and through her their children had influential political connections
Education
Breckinridge had taken the academic and law courses in the College of William and Mary, graduating in 1785.
Career
During the Revolution, James, the eighteen-year-old son of Robert and Letitia (Preston) Breckenridge, enlisted as a private in a corps of Botetourt riflemen commanded by his relative Colonel Preston and in 1781 he was an officer under General Greene in North Carolina. Later he was a major-general of Virginia militia and served in the War of 1812.
The young patriot commenced to practise law in 1787 and soon entered public life. He was a member of the House of Delegates from Botetourt County for thirteen sessions between 1780 and 1824. He was a candidate for governor of Virginia against James Monroe, but was defeated. He represented his district in Congress, March 22, 1809 to March 3, 1817. Breckenridge was a leader of the Federalist party in Virginia. Later, he supported, in the legislature, Jefferson's plans for the University of Virginia, was one of the commission to select a site for that institution and a member of its first Board of Visitors.
He died at the home he had created, leaving many descendants. An editorial in the Richmond Times-Despatch declared that "The destruction of 'Grove Hill' by fire, on October 24, (1909) was a genuine sentimental calamity. It was a splendid specimen of late colonial architecture--rich in memories of bygone Virginia. "
Achievements
Politics
James Breckinridge was a leader of the Federalist party in Virginia. He served several terms in the House of Delegates before being elected to Congress as a Federalist in 1809.
Views
On his ancestral estate near Fincastle, in Botetourt County, Breckenridge built a beautiful home, "Grove Hill, " noted for its atmosphere of cordiality, patriotism, and culture, which made a fitting background for its master and was the joy of his descendants for more than a hundred years. There he kept in close touch with ruling spirits in state and national affairs through correspondence with such men as Jefferson, Monroe, Madison, and many other notables whose letters made "Grove Hill" a treasure house of historical data.
Personality
Portraits represent Breckenridge as a stately, reserved, soldierly-looking man, of thoughtful countenance and rather blond coloring.
Connections
James Breckinridge was married the mistress of "Grove Hill" whose name was Anne at Old St. John's Church, Richmond, on New Year's Day 1791, by Rev. James Buchanan. She was a daughter of Cary Selden, of Elizabeth City County.