Archives of Maryland
(Biographical Series)

James Alfred Pearce (1805-1862)
MSA SC 3520-1867

Biography:

Born December 14, 1805, in Alexandria, Virginia. Son of Gideon and Julia (Dick) Pearce. Attended College of New Jersey (now Princeton), 1822. Studied law in the office of Judge John John Glenn in Baltimore, 1822-24. Admitted to the bar, 1824. Married (1) Martha J. Laird, October 6, 1829; (2) Mathilda Cox Ringgold, March 22, 1847. Four children: Catharine Julia Pearce, Charlotte Augusta Lemmon Pearch, James Alfred Pearce, Jr., and Mary E. Pearce. Died December 20, 1862, in Chestertown, Maryland. Buried New Chester Cemetery, Chestertown, Maryland.

Practiced law, Cambridge, Dorchester County, 1824; Chestertown, Kent County, 1828-31. Engaged in sugar cane planting, Louisiana, 1825-28. Engaged in agricultural pursuits, Chestertown, Kent County, 1828. Member, Board of Visitors and Governors, Washington College. Law lecturer, Washington College. Member, Vestry, Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Chestertown, Kent County, 1850-62.

Maryland House of Delegates, Kent County, 1831. U.S. House of Representatives, 1835-39 and 1841-43. U.S. Senate, 1843-1862 (died in office). Member of the Whig party, 1835-61; Democrat, 1861.
 

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