James Elliot (politician)

James Elliot
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Vermont's 2nd district
In office
March 4, 1803 – March 3, 1809
Preceded byLewis R. Morris
Succeeded byJonathan Hatch Hubbard
State's Attorney of Windham County, Vermont
In office
1837–1839
Preceded byAlexander S. Campbell
Succeeded byAlexander S. Campbell
In office
1822–1823
Preceded byMartin Field
Succeeded bySamuel Elliot
Member of the Vermont House of Representatives from Newfane
In office
1837–1838
Preceded byRoswell M. Field
Succeeded byWalter Eager
Windham County Register of Probate
In office
1822–1834
Preceded byRoyall Tyler
Succeeded byAsa Keys
Member of the Vermont House of Representatives from Brattleboro
In office
1818–1819
Preceded byJonathan Hunt Jr.
Succeeded bySamuel Clark
Clerk of the Windham County Court
In office
1817–1835
Preceded byEdward R. Campbell 2nd
Succeeded byMarshall Miller
Clerk of the Vermont House of Representatives
In office
1801–1803
Preceded byNathan Osgood
Succeeded byAnthony Haswell
Personal details
Born(1775-08-18)August 18, 1775
Gloucester, Province of Massachusetts Bay, British America
DiedNovember 10, 1839(1839-11-10) (aged 64)
Newfane, Vermont, U.S.
Resting placeProspect Hill Cemetery, Brattleboro, Vermont
Political partyFederalist
Democratic-Republican
National Republican
SpouseLucy Dow (m. 1803)
Children3
ProfessionAttorney
Author
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Army
Years of service1793–1796
1812–1813
Rank Captain
Battles/warsWhiskey Rebellion
Northwest Indian War
War of 1812

James Elliot (August 18, 1775 – November 10, 1839) was an American soldier, lawyer, author and politician. A holder of local and state offices throughout his life, he was most notable for his service as a United States representative from Vermont.

Elliot was born in Gloucester in the Province of Massachusetts Bay. His father died at sea while serving in the American Revolution, and Elliot's mother moved the family to New Salem, where he received his early education. He was indentured to a local farmer, and at age 15 moved to Guilford, Vermont to work as a store clerk. He served in the army during the Whiskey Rebellion in Pennsylvania and the Northwest Indian War, then returned to Vermont to study law and begin practice as an attorney. He later published a volume on his wartime experiences, which also included several poems and essays.

During the early 1800s, Elliot served as Clerk of the Vermont House of Representatives. Nominally a Federalist, in 1802 he won election to the U.S. House, where he served for three terms and became identified with many Democratic-Republican principles. After leaving Congress, Elliot edited newspapers in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Worcester, Massachusetts, then returned to Vermont to resume practicing law. He served briefly in the War of 1812, and continued to hold local and state offices, including Clerk of Windham County, member of the Vermont House of Representatives, Windham County Register of Probate, and State's Attorney of Windham County.

Elliot died in Newfane, Vermont on November 10, 1839, and was buried at Prospect Hill Cemetery in Brattleboro.