James Appleton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
General James Appleton
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| Member of the Maine House of Representatives | |
| In office 1836–1839 |
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| Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives | |
| In office 1813–1834 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | February 14, 1785 Ipswich, Massachusetts |
| Died | August 25, 1862 (aged 77) Ipswich, Massachusetts |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Federalist, Whig, Liberty |
| Spouses |
Sarah Fuller
(m. 1807) |
| Relations | William Appleton (cousin) Samuel Appleton (cousin) Nathan Appleton(cousin) |
| Children | 10 |
| Parents | Samuel Appleton Mary White |
| Occupation | Publisher |
| Signature |  |
Brigadier General James Appleton (born February 14, 1785 – died August 25, 1862) was an important American figure. He worked to end slavery, supported the idea of limiting alcohol, and was a politician from Maine.
Contents
Early Life and Family
James Appleton was born on February 14, 1785, in Ipswich, Massachusetts. His family's farm had been in their name since 1636. His parents were Samuel Appleton and Mary White.
He was also related to several other well-known people. His cousins included William Appleton, Samuel Appleton, and Nathan Appleton. They were all important figures in their time.
James Appleton's Career
James Appleton had a varied and impactful career. He served in the military and as a politician.
Military Service
Appleton fought in the War of 1812. He became a Lieutenant colonel in the Massachusetts Militia. Later, he was promoted to Brigadier general. He led troops in battles at Sandy Bay and Gallop's Folly in 1814.
Massachusetts Politics
In 1813, when he was 28, Appleton became a lawyer. He was elected to the Massachusetts legislature. He represented Gloucester as a member of the Federalist Party.
He spoke out against the Missouri Compromise. This was a law about whether new states could have slavery. In 1824, he even escorted the famous Marquis de Lafayette during his visit to Boston. In 1832, Appleton asked the Massachusetts legislature to limit alcohol sales.
Moving to Maine and New Political Roles
In 1833, Appleton moved to Portland, Maine. He was elected to the Maine House of Representatives in 1836. The next year, he led a group looking into alcohol laws.
In 1837, he wrote a report about the problems caused by alcohol. This report helped create the Maine Temperance Law of 1846. This law was a big step towards stopping alcohol sales in Maine.
Appleton was also a strong supporter of ending slavery. In 1839 and 1840, he was a vice president of the American Anti-Slavery Society. He ran for Governor of Maine three times with the Liberty Party. This party was focused on ending slavery. In 1848, he supported Martin Van Buren for president as part of the Free Soil Party, which also opposed the spread of slavery.
During the Civil War in 1861, James Appleton gave speeches. He defended the Union and supported the end of slavery.
Personal Life and Legacy
On November 15, 1807, James Appleton married Sarah Fuller. They had ten children together.
- Samuel Gilman Appleton (1808–1873)
- Sarah Fuller Appleton (1811–1884)
- James Appleton (1813–1884)
- Mary White Appleton (1815–1905)
- Elizabeth Putnam Appleton (1818–1897)
- Joanna Dodge Appleton (1821–1870)
- Hannah Fuller Appleton (1823–1903)
- Daniel Fuller Appleton (1826–1904)
- Harriette Hooper Appleton (1828–1905)
- Anna Whittemore Appleton (1831–)
He lived in Portland until 1853. Then, he moved back to Ipswich to help manage his family's farm. He became the full owner of Appleton Farm in 1857. James Appleton passed away there in 1862.
Notable Descendants
One of his grandsons, Francis Randall Appleton, became a well-known person in New York society during the Gilded Age.
Honors and Recognition
The Woman's Relief Corps placed a marker in Ipswich. It honors James Appleton and remembers the unknown soldiers and sailors of the Civil War.
