James Milnor facts for kids
James Milnor (born June 20, 1773, in Philadelphia; died April 8, 1845, in Manhattan, New York) was a very busy person! He was a lawyer for 16 years. He also served in the U.S. House of Representatives for Pennsylvania from 1811 to 1813. Later in life, he became an Episcopal priest and served for almost 30 years.
James Milnor's Journey
James Milnor went to public school in Philadelphia. He also attended the University of Pennsylvania. He studied law and became a lawyer in 1794. He started his law practice in Norristown, Pennsylvania. In 1797, he moved back to Philadelphia and continued his law work there.
Milnor was also involved in local government. He was a member of the Philadelphia Common Council in 1800. From 1805 to 1810, he was part of the Select Council. He even served as its president in 1808 and 1809.
Later, in 1819, the University of Pennsylvania gave Milnor a special degree. It was called a Doctor of Divinity. This was because he had started studying to become a minister. He studied with Bishop William White while he was in Washington, D.C..
In 1810, Milnor was chosen to represent Pennsylvania in the Twelfth Congress. He was a member of the Federalist Party. After his time in Congress, he focused on studying theology, which is the study of religious faith. He then became a minister in the Protestant Episcopal Church.
In 1814, he became an assistant minister at St. Peter's Church in Philadelphia. In 1816, he was chosen to be the main minister, called a rector, at St. George's Chapel in New York City. He worked there until he passed away in 1845. One of the people who attended his church was Mary Simpson. She was an African-American grocer. James Milnor was buried in Greenwood Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York.
Fighting for a Cause
In 1798, James Milnor was an officer in a group called Pennsylvania Society. This group was working hard to end slavery at that time. They wanted to make sure all people were free.
His Family Life
James Milnor married Eleanor Pawling on February 28, 1799. Her parents were Henry Pawling and Rebecca Bull. James Milnor also had a brother named William Milnor. William was also a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania.
