James Parker (New Jersey)

James Parker (March 3, 1776 – April 1, 1868) was a United States Representative from New Jersey.

Biography

Parker was born in Bethlehem Township, New Jersey. His father, also named James, was on the provincial council before the Revolution, an active member of the board of proprietors of the colony, and the owner of large landed properties. The son moved to Perth Amboy after the Revolution. He graduated from Columbia College of Columbia University in New York City in 1793, and then became a merchant in New York City, but on the death of his father returned to Perth Amboy.

Parker engaged in the management and settlement of properties left by his father. He was also a land surveyor and as a lawyer, although he was never admitted to the bar. He was a member of the New Jersey General Assembly from 1806 to 1810 and in 1812-1813, 1815–1816, 1818, and 1827. During his legislative career, he originated the law that put an end to the local slave trade in 1819, the one that established the school fund, and the provisions of a law that regulated the partition of real estate in New Jersey and the rights of aliens to possess it.[1] He was Mayor of Perth Amboy, New Jersey in 1815 and again in 1850. He was collector of customs at Perth Amboy from 1829 to 1833.

Parker was elected as a Jacksonian to the 23rd and 24th Congresses, holding office from March 4, 1833 to March 3, 1837.

After leaving Congress he resumed his former activities, and was registrar of the board of proprietors of East Jersey. He was a member of the different boundary commissions to obtain a settlement of the boundary question between the States of New York and New Jersey, and was a delegate to the New Jersey constitutional convention in 1844.

He was a vice president of the New Jersey Historical Society for many years, its president from 1864 until his death, was active in the cause of education, and gave the land to Rutgers College on which its buildings now stand.[1]

Parker died in Perth Amboy in 1868; interment was in St. Peter's Churchyard.

Legacy

Parker's grandson, Richard Wayne Parker, was also a United States Representative.

See also

Notes

  1. 1 2  One or more of the preceding sentences incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Wilson, James Grant; Fiske, John, eds. (1900). "Parker, James". Appletons' Cyclopædia of American Biography. New York: D. Appleton.

References

U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by
James F. Randolph		 Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from New Jersey's at-large congressional district
1833–1837 		Succeeded by
Joseph F. Randolph
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