James Brice
Encyclopedia
James Brice was an American
planter, lawyer, and politician from Annapolis, Maryland
. He was Governor of Maryland
in 1792, and one of the largest land owners on the east coast.
James was born in Anne Arundel County, Maryland
and was the son of John Brice, Jr.
and Sarah Frisby Brice. He practiced law in Annapolis and married Juliana Jennings in 1781. The couple would have five children: Julia, Anne, Elizabeth, James, Thomas, John.
Brice began his political career as tax commissioner for the county and as an alderman in Annapolis. In 1777 he became a member of the Maryland Governor's Council, a post he held until 1799. As the senior member of the council, Brice became acting Governor when governor George Plater
died on February 10, 1792. He stepped down after Thomas Sim Lee
was elected and sworn in on April 2.
Brice also served as Mayor of Annapolis in 1782-1783 and again in 1787-1788. He represented Maryland as a Presidential Elector twice, both times voting for George Washington
. He served as treasurer for the city of Annapolis from 1784 until his death.
James died in Annapolis, and was survived by his wife Juliana and all five children; who left and settled in Topping Virginia. The last known family members are Judge James brice and Jimmy Brice of Roanoke, Va. Jimmy Brice's son James Brice III is the last male in the Brice family residing in Virginia beach, Va.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
planter, lawyer, and politician from Annapolis, Maryland
Annapolis, Maryland
Annapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Maryland, as well as the county seat of Anne Arundel County. It had a population of 38,394 at the 2010 census and is situated on the Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of the Severn River, south of Baltimore and about east of Washington, D.C. Annapolis is...
. He was Governor of Maryland
Governor of Maryland
The Governor of Maryland heads the executive branch of the government of Maryland, and he is the commander-in-chief of the state's National Guard units. The Governor is the highest-ranking official in the state, and he has a broad range of appointive powers in both the State and local governments,...
in 1792, and one of the largest land owners on the east coast.
James was born in Anne Arundel County, Maryland
Anne Arundel County, Maryland
Anne Arundel County is a county located in the U.S. state of Maryland. It is named for Anne Arundell , a member of the ancient family of Arundells in Cornwall, England and the wife of Cæcilius Calvert, 2nd Baron Baltimore. Its county seat is Annapolis, which is also the capital of the state...
and was the son of John Brice, Jr.
John Brice, Jr.
John Brice, Jr. was an early American settler and Loyalist politician in colonial Maryland. He was a member of the Governor's Council, twice Mayor of Annapolis, and a chief justice in the colony's court. Two of his sons would in their turn become Mayors of Annapolis.-Early life:John was born in...
and Sarah Frisby Brice. He practiced law in Annapolis and married Juliana Jennings in 1781. The couple would have five children: Julia, Anne, Elizabeth, James, Thomas, John.
Brice began his political career as tax commissioner for the county and as an alderman in Annapolis. In 1777 he became a member of the Maryland Governor's Council, a post he held until 1799. As the senior member of the council, Brice became acting Governor when governor George Plater
George Plater
George Plater was an American planter, lawyer, and statesman from Saint Mary's County, Maryland. He represented Maryland in the Continental Congress from 1778 to 1780, and briefly served as the sixth Governor of Maryland in 1791 and 1792.-Early life and education:Plater was born on the family...
died on February 10, 1792. He stepped down after Thomas Sim Lee
Thomas Sim Lee
Thomas Sim Lee was an American planter and statesman of Frederick County, Maryland. Although not a signatory to the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation or the US Constitution, he was an important participant in the process of their creation...
was elected and sworn in on April 2.
Brice also served as Mayor of Annapolis in 1782-1783 and again in 1787-1788. He represented Maryland as a Presidential Elector twice, both times voting for George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
. He served as treasurer for the city of Annapolis from 1784 until his death.
James died in Annapolis, and was survived by his wife Juliana and all five children; who left and settled in Topping Virginia. The last known family members are Judge James brice and Jimmy Brice of Roanoke, Va. Jimmy Brice's son James Brice III is the last male in the Brice family residing in Virginia beach, Va.