James Magee (sea captain)

James Magee
Born1750
County Down, Ireland
Died2 February 1801
Roxbury, Boston
Occupation(s)Maritime fur trader, sea captain, and businessman

James Magee (1750–1801) was one of the first Americans involved in the Old China Trade and the Maritime Fur Trade. He was born in County Down, Ireland, probably near Downpatrick. James and his brother Bernard immigrated to New England shortly before the American Revolutionary War[1] Described as a "convivial, noble–hearted Irishman", he married Margaret Elliot, sister of Thomas Handasyd Perkins (T.H. Perkins), in October 1783.[1] Magee lived in Roxbury, today part of Boston, ultimately in the Shirley–Eustis House, which he bought in 1798.[2][3] His brother, Bernard Magee, was also a sea captain in the maritime fur trade.

  1. ^ a b Lee, Henry (1969). "The Magee Family and the Origins of the China Trade". Proceedings of the Massachusetts Historical Society. 81: 104–109. JSTOR 25080670.
  2. ^ Morison, Samuel Eliot (1924). The Maritime History of Massachusetts, 1783-1860. Houghton Mifflin. pp. 47–49. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
  3. ^ Drake, Francis Samuel (1908). The Town of Roxbury: Its Memorable Persons and Places, Its History and Antiquities, with Numerous Illustrations of Its Old Landmarks and Noted Personages. Municipal Printing Office. p. 124. Retrieved 24 April 2020.