James Spence Monroe

Notes:

James Spence was the only son of President James Monroe. James Spence died in infancy, extinguishing the President's male line.

James Spence was born when his father was serving as Governor of Virginia. His death came at a difficult time for his father because just prior to this, Gabriel Prosser, leader of a slave revolt, had been captured along with 35 others and all of Richmond gathered at the Governor's Mansion when Prosser was brought before Monroe. Prosser was tried 30 Apr 1804, found guilty and hanged.

James was unable to attend the erection of a headstone over his son's grave. He asked John Clarke to attend to this, directing that it bear only the initials "J.S.M."

Ref: Clan Munro files - Monroe, James Harrison
- Johnson, Monroe
- J.S. Monroe notes

Compiled and edited by Allen Alger, Genealogist, Clan Munro Association, USA

Notes:

After a preliminary course in the local schools, and some tutoring by William Douglas, James entered William and Mary College in 1776. When the Revolutionary War broke out, he joined Washington near New York City where he began serving as a Lieutenant. He was among the soldiers who rowed across the Delaware with Washington. He was wounded at Harlem Heights and was promoted to Captain upon his recovery. Later, as a Major, he served as volunteer aide on the staff of Samuel Sterling. He finished the war as a Lieutenant Colonel in a Virginia unit.

Although he was eager to follow a military career, he was unable to obtain a permanent command when the war ended. He studied law under the supervision of Thomas Jefferson and was admitted to the bar and practiced in Fredericksburg, Virginia, where he served as town councilman, his first public office. He served in official positions for nearly 50 years.

In 1782, at the age of 24, he was elected a member of the Virginia State Assembly. He served as a member of the Continental Congress 1783-1786. He was elected to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the death of William Grayson. He was reelected in 1791 and resigned in 1794.

He was appointed United States Minister Plenipotentiary to France by President Washington and served until 1796. He was elected Governor of Virginia 1799-1802, and was again appointed Minister Plenipotentiary to France by President Jefferson and served from 12 Jan to 12 Jul 1803. He was appointed to the same post in England and served from 1803 to 1807. He also served as Minister to Spain. He was again elected as Governor of Virginia in 1811 but President Madison appointed him to his Cabinet as Secretary of State and Secretary of War (at the same time) and he served from 1811 to 1817. He was then elected President of the United States for two terms from 1817 to 1825.

While Minister to France under President Washington, he was ridiculed and recalled by Washington. Under President Jefferson, he returned to France with the treaty for the purchase of Louisiana. He was also discredited as Minister to England.

He gained prestige when, as Secretary of War under President Madison, he ordered the forces assembled at New Orleans in the War of 1812.

He was keenly interested in military matters. He enjoyed horseback riding and travel. While a member of Congress, he made a trip on the Great Lakes and down the Ohio River, inspecting posts occupied by British troops and studying the natural resources of the country and the attitude of Indians toward Americans. A connoisseur of art, he purchased for the White House the best Paris afforded.

He was inaugurated as fifth President of the United States on 4 Mar 1817 and served eight years. His administration was known as the "Era of Good Feeling", but in reality it was full of plots and disagreements, one example being the Missouri Compromise. However, during his presidency, legislation of great constructive value was enacted, and Florida was purchased from Spain.

During his second term as President, in 1823, a discussion arose over the possibility of Spain's regaining possession of Florida and in a message to Congress he said: "We should consider any attempt on their part (a foreign power) to extend their system to any portion of this hemisphere as dangerous to our peace and safety..." and also further, "The American Continents, by the free and independent condition which they have assumed and maintained, are henceforth not to be considered as subjects for future colonization by any European powers." Thus was born the famous Monroe Doctrine which has been at the foundation of US policy in the new world ever since.

He retired from the White House to his farm at Oak Hill, Virginia. He died poor in New York City at the home of his daughter on 4 Jul 1831. He was first buried in New York City, but was later re-interred in Richmond, Virginia.

Oak Hill, erected in 1820 by President Monroe, was designed by Thomas Jefferson and the plans were completed by James Hoban, designer and builder of the White House and supervising architect for the Capitol.

President Monroe employed william Benton, an Englishman, to superintend the construction of the mansion under Hoban's supervision and to manage the extensive farming operations of the estate. It is said that Benton served the President "in the triple capacity of steward, counselor, and friend."

James' will was dated 1831 and proved in 1847.

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The following is from "Clan Munro" compiled by Alan McNie, published in Jedburgh, Scotland. It is from the chapter entitled "Some Clan Notables".

Munroe, James (1758-1831) Monroe entered US Senate in 1790. He was a critic of Washington and helped organise the Republican party in opposition. He became President in 1816 and sought to maintain a large peacetime army. In his presidency, Mississippi, Illinois, Alabama, Maine and Missouri joined the Union. In 1819 Spain ceded Florida. In the Monroe Doctrine he showed his desire for America's independence, disapproving of European intervention and affirming America's intention of not interfering in the internal affairs of other nations and stating the America's were not to be considered open to further European colonization.
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«i»The Capture of the Hessians at Trenton [the painting] by John Trumbull dramatizes the scene of the wounded Lt. James Monroe, who had been injured in the final stages of the Battle of Trenton. Lt. Monroe had been hit by a musket ball, severing an artery. The doctor who is tending him is the same man who had ordered Washington's troops off of his property as they advanced towards Trenton. When Dr. Riker realized they were not the British, but Americans, he volunteered to join them thinking he would be of some help later. Little did anyone know that Dr. Riker would clamp off the severed artery of Lt. Monroe, saving the life of this valiant patriot and future president.«/i»

("Capture of the Hessians at Trenton" - Eagle Flyer - Spring 2011 - Editor: Margaret Bardin)
**********

Ref: Clan Munro files - Cones, Mona
- Monroe, Ruby Lucille
- Stroud, Anna Margaret
- Monroe, James Harrison
- Johnson, Monroe

References:

(1) Clan Munro files - Phillips, Robert Lee Munro - "Mr. President: 5" - article from the Courier-Journal

Compiled and edited by Allen Alger, Genealogist, Clan Munro Association, USA

Birth:
Monroe Hall on Monroes Creek

Died:
James died at the home of his daughter in New York.

Buried:
Hollywood Cemetery

James married Elizabeth Kortright on 16 Feb 1786 in New York, New York Co., New York, USA. Elizabeth (daughter of Lawrence Kortright) was born on 30 Jun 1768 in New York, New York Co., New York, USA; died on 23 Sep 1830 in Oak Hill, Albemarle Co., Virginia, USA; was buried in Richmond, Richmond (city), Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Elizabeth was the daughter of Captain Lawrence Kortright of the British Army and Hannah (Aspinwall) Kortright and a descendant of Jan van Kortyke, a Flemish immigant from Leerdam to Harlem, New York in 1653.

Attending state functions in Europe with her ambassador husband, she was able to observe court etiquette. She won acclaim during the French Revolution for her courageous pleading that saved the life of Lafayette's wife.

She was an accomplished hostess in the White House and gave to the social functions a ceremonious elegance that was unknown before. Elizabeth was not in robust health, so she was assisted by her daughters, Eliza and Maria.

References:

(1) Clan Munro files - Redden, Virginia R. - Partial Lines of Selected Ancestors and Selected Collateral Descendants of the Monroes.

Compiled and edited by Allen Alger, Genealogist, Clan Munro Association, USA

Died:
"Oak Hill, Loudon Co., Va."

Notes:

Married:
Trinity Episcopal Church

Notes:

Captain (or Colonel) Spence Monroe resided on Monroe Creek, Westmoreland County, Virginia, having moved there by 1752. He was the father of President James Monroe. He was a signer of the Westmoreland County resolutions protesting against the Stamp Act.

His son, President James Monroe, said that his father, Spence Monroe, was "a worthy and respectable citizen possessed of good landed and other property."

Ref: Clan Munro files - Cones, Mona
- Stroud, Anna Margaret
- Monroe, James Harrison
- Eggleston, Sam Daniel, Jr.
- Johnson, Monroe
- Spence Monroe notes
- Descendants of Edward Blair Cabell

Ref (1) says Spence was the son of Andrew [3544].

A plausable theory espoused by Virginia R. Redden in ref 2 says that Spence may have been the posthumous son of Spence Monroe, the first husband of Christian Tyler. The will of Christian Tyler's first husband, Spence, mentions two small children and one unborn child. Most historians believe that the "unborn child" died young, but Redden believes that the child may have been born after Christian's marriage to Andrew Monroe and that the child was named Spence after his deceased biological father.

Spence left a will dated 1774, but there is no date of probate.

Ref (3) calls him Andrew Spence Monroe.

References:

(1) Clan Munro files - Redden, Virginia R. - Descendancy Chart of "Andy I"
- received 17 Oct 1997 - p. 3

(2) Clan Munro files - Redden, Virginia R. - letter dated 23 Aug 1997

(3) Clan Munro files - Redden, Virginia R. - "The Monroe Family of Virginia" -
compiled by Nancy E. Harris - Jul 1988 - p. 14

Compiled and edited by Allen Alger, Genealogist, Clan Munro Association, USA

Birth:
Born near Monroe Creek

Died:
Died at the Mill Hill plantation near Monroe Creek

Spence married Elizabeth Jones in 1752 in , King George Co., Virginia, USA. Elizabeth (daughter of Jones) was born in 1729 in , King George Co., Virginia, USA; died in 1806 in Fredericksburg, , Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Elizabeth was the daughter of James and Hester (Davis) Jones of Wales. She was the sister of the Honorable Joseph Jones of Virginia, a member of the Continental Congress.

Her son, President James Monroe, said that his mother, Elizabeth, was "a very amiable and respectable woman, possessing the best domestic qualities of a good wife, and a good parent".

References:

(1) Clan Munro files - Redden, Virginia R. - Partial Lines of Selected
Ancestors and Selected Collateral Descendants of the Monroes

(2) Clan Munro files - Redden, Virginia R. - The Monroes of Virginia:
Corrections, updates - e-mail message dated 19 Oct 1997 - p. 3

(3) Clan Munro files - Redden, Virginia R. - "William and Mary College
Quarterly" - Jun 1997 - p. 194

(4) Clan Munro files - Roder, Mary Margaret Ball - Pedigree chart for Andrew
Augustine Monroe compiled by Rebekah B. McBride - dated 12 Oct 1977 - #3

Compiled and edited by Allen Alger, Genealogist, Clan Munro Association, USA

Birth:
Elizabeth's place of birth has not been verified.

Notes:

Compiled and edited by Allen Alger, Genealogist, Clan Munro Association, USA

Birth:
Estimate: This birth date is an estimate based on the birth dates of nearest relatives or contemporaries, or based on other clues such as christening date, marriage date, birth order, etc.

Notes:

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[Andrew Monroe] «i»Son of William Monroe (1666-1737) & Margaret Bowcock; Sheriff of Westmoreland County, Virginia, 1733; m. Christian Tyler (widow of cousin Spence Monroe who died 1725/6), with issue - Spence (1727-74, father of President James Monroe), Andrew (c.1730-75), & Jane (m. John Chancellor 1726-1815).

Northrup 351 - corrected by 'Daughters of American Revolution Magazine' (April 1958) p. 341; Notes by Mrs.deVolt (1957); Encyclopaedia Britannica (1979) on Pres. James Monroe.
«/i»
(R. W. Munro's genealogy notes)
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Andrew inherited from his uncle, Andrew: 1 horse, 1 feather bed and furniture.

He married Christian (or Christiana) Tyler, the widow of his first cousin, Spence Munro. In 1731, he was appointed sheriff of Westmoreland County.

One reference gives Andrew's death date as 1733. He died intestate, and his widow obtained an order for administration on his estate on 25 Nov 1735. The Boyer reference says he was born in 1700.

The Gerald Monroe reference says he married Jane Watts, but other references say Jane was the wife of Col. Andrew Monroe (1697-1770).

Ref: "Journey From Ross-shire" by James Harrison Monroe - p. 8
Clan Munro files - Cones, Mona
- Rice, Dorothy
- Stroud, Anna Margaret
- Monroe, Thomas Guy, III
- Johnson, Monroe - Andrew Monroe notes
- Petersen, Charles A. - letter 2 Feb 1996
- Boyer, Wallace R. - descendants of Hector Munro 13th

Spence is named in the will of his step-grandfather, John Jordan. From that will he received a negro, a silver-hilted sword, a drum, a gold ring and a sorrel horse.

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The following abtract appears in the Westmoreland Order Book:

"Pursuant to order of court of 29 May 1744: Originall Wroe, John Prince, and william Wroe settled the accts. related to the estate of Andrew Monroe, dec'd, and set apart for Richard Fry the share due him as marrying Christian Monroe, relict and Admx. of Andres. There was a balance due the orphans of Andrew Monroe."
**********

In his will, dated 15 Jan 1726 and probated 30 Mar 1726, he left his sword and all his wearing clothes to his brother Andrew, and mentions two small children and one unborn child.

One reference gives his name as Spens and confuses him with Spence [1628], the father of President James Monroe.

His wife was Christian Tyler. She married (1) Spence Monroe [3545], then (2) Andrew Monroe [291] (the first cousin of Spence), then (3) Richard Fry.

She was the sister of Joseph Tyler of Westmoreland County who died 1737 leaving a will in which he mentions as "cousins" (meaning nephews and nieces) several of the children of Christian Monroe.

One reference says Spence was born in 1697.

Ref: Clan Munro files - Cones, Mona
- Eggleston, Sam Daniel, Jr.
- Johnson, Monroe
- James Monroe ancestors

Refs (3) and (4) say Andrew was the son of Andrew Monroe [256] and Eleanor Spence.

References:

(1) Clan Munro files - Redden, Virginia R. - "William and Mary College
Quarterly" - Jun 1997 - p. 194

(2) Clan Munro files - Redden, Virginia R. - letter from John W. King, Jr.
dated 28 Jul 1997

(3) Clan Munro files - Redden, Virginia R. - "The Monroe Family of Virginia" -
compiled by Nancy E. Harris - Jul 1988 - p. 14

(4) Clan Munro files - Roder, Mary Margaret Ball - Pedigree chart for Andrew
Augustine Monroe compiled by Rebekah B. McBride - dated 12 Oct 1977 - #8

Compiled and edited by Allen Alger, Genealogist, Clan Munro Association, USA

Andrew married Christian M. Tyler in , Westmoreland Co., Virginia, USA. Christian (daughter of Tyler) was born in 1687 in , Westmoreland Co., Virginia, USA; died in 1754 in , Westmoreland Co., Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Christian was the daughter of Charles and Jane Tyler.

Andrew died intestate, and Christian obtained an order for adiminstration of his estate on 25 Nov 1735, with Andrew Monroe Gent. and Joseph Tyler as securities.

Christian married Richard Fay after the death of her second husband, Andrew Monroe.

References:

(1) Clan Munro files - Redden, Virginia R. - Descendancy Chart of "Andy I"
- received 17 Oct 1997 - p. 2

(2) Clan Munro files - Redden, Virginia R. - The Monroes of Virginia:
Corrections, updates - e-mail message dated 19 Oct 1997 - p. 3

(3) Clan Munro files - Redden, Virginia R. - "William and Mary College
Quarterly" - Jun 1997 - p. 194

(4) Clan Munro files - Redden, Virginia R. - letter from John W. King, Jr.
dated 28 Jul 1997

Compiled and edited by Allen Alger, Genealogist, Clan Munro Association, USA

Notes:

Compiled and edited by Allen Alger, Genealogist, Clan Munro Association, USA

Birth:
Estimate: This birth date is an estimate based on the birth dates of nearest relatives or contemporaries, or based on other clues such as christening date, marriage date, birth order, etc.