James Brice (August 26, 1746 – July 11, 1801) was an

American American(s) may refer to: * American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America" ** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America ** American ancestry, pe ...

planter, lawyer, and politician from Annapolis, Maryland. He was

Governor of Maryland The Governor of the State of Maryland is the head of government of Maryland, and is the commander-in-chief of the state's National Guard units. The Governor is the highest-ranking official in the state and has a broad range of appointive powers ...

in 1792, and one of the largest land owners on the east coast. James was born in Annapolis and was the son of John Brice, Jr. and Sarah Frisby Brice. He practiced law in Annapolis and married Juliana Jennings in 1781. The couple would have five children: Julia, Anne, Elizabeth, James, Thomas, John. Brice began his political career as tax commissioner for the county and as an alderman in Annapolis. In 1777 he became a member of the Maryland Governor's Council, a post he held until 1799. As the senior member of the council, Brice became acting governor when Governor

George Plater George Plater III (November 8, 1735 – February 10, 1792) was an American planter, lawyer, and statesman from Saint Mary's County, Maryland. He represented Maryland in the Continental Congress from 1778 to 1780, and briefly served as the sixth ...

died on February 10, 1792. He stepped down after

Thomas Sim Lee Thomas Sim Lee (October 29, 1745 – November 9, 1819) was an American planter and statesman of Frederick County, Maryland. Although not a signatory to the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation or the U.S. Constitution, h ...

was elected and sworn in on April 2. Brice also served as Mayor of Annapolis in 1782-1783 and again in 1787-1788. He represented Maryland as a

Presidential Elector The United States Electoral College is the group of presidential electors required by the Constitution to form every four years for the sole purpose of appointing the president and vice president. Each state and the District of Columbia app ...

twice, both times voting for

George Washington George Washington (February 22, 1732, 1799) was an American military officer, statesman, and Founding Father who served as the first president of the United States from 1789 to 1797. Appointed by the Continental Congress as commander of ...

. He served as treasurer for the city of Annapolis from 1784 until his death. James died in Annapolis, and was survived by his wife Juliana and all five children; who left and settled in

Topping, Virginia Topping is an unincorporated community in Middlesex County, Virginia, United States. Topping is located on Virginia State Route 3 east of Saluda. Topping has a post office with ZIP code 23169. Topping is home to Hummel Field, an airfield cre ...

. The last known family members are Judge James Brice and Jimmy Brice of

Roanoke, Virginia Roanoke ( ) is an independent city in the U.S. state of Virginia. At the 2020 census, the population was 100,011, making it the 8th most populous city in the Commonwealth of Virginia and the largest city in Virginia west of Richmond. It is ...

. Jimmy Brice's son James Brice III is the last male in the Brice family residing in

Virginia Beach, Virginia Virginia Beach is an independent city located on the southeastern coast of the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. The population was 459,470 at the 2020 census. Although mostly suburban in character, it is the most populous city ...

References

1746 births 1801 deaths Governors of Maryland Mayors of Annapolis, Maryland American planters Maryland Federalists Federalist Party state governors of the United States People of colonial Maryland American slave owners {{Maryland-mayor-stub