James Gifford the elder facts for kids
James Gifford (born around 1739, died 1813) was a British Army officer. He was also a writer who followed a religion called Unitarianism.
Early Life and Army Days
James Gifford was born in Cambridge, England, in 1739. His father, also named James Gifford, was the mayor of Cambridge. James went to Rugby School. When he was 18, he joined the British Army. He became a captain in the 14th Foot regiment. He served in Canada at the start of the American Revolutionary War.
Retirement and Beliefs
Around 1788, James Gifford left the army. He moved to a place called Girton, near Cambridge. He was very interested in religion. He followed the ideas of John Jebb, who was a reformer.
His writings about his beliefs connected him with other thinkers. These included George Dyer, William Frend, and Theophilus Lindsey. He even received money from Elizabeth Rayner, who supported Unitarians. James Gifford passed away in Girton in 1813. He was 73 years old. He was buried in All Saints' Church, Cambridge.
His Writings
James Gifford wrote several books about his ideas. These books shared his thoughts on religion and God.
- A Short Essay on the Belief of an Universal Providence, published in 1781.
- An Elucidation of the Unity of God, published in 1783. His son William later edited a fifth edition of this book.
- A Letter to the Archbishop of Canterbury, published in 1785.
His Family
James Gifford married Elizabeth Cremer in Boston, Massachusetts. She was from Bury St Edmunds. She passed away in St Helier, Jersey, in 1840, at 94 years old.
They had several children, including:
- James Gifford the younger
- William, who became a major-general in the army. He died in Swansea in 1825.
- Juliana Elizabeth, who was a friend of Richard Cobden. She died in St Helier in 1858.
- George, who was a captain in the army.
- Lucius Henry, their sixth son, was a lieutenant in the Royal Navy. He died in 1812.
- Theophilus John, their seventh son, was a lieutenant in the army. He died in 1811.
