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 by	Lewis R. Morris
Succeeded by	Jonathan Hatch Hubbard
State's Attorney of Windham County, Vermont
In office 1837–1839
Preceded by	Alexander S. Campbell
Succeeded by	Alexander S. Campbell
In office 1822–1823
Preceded by	Martin Field
Succeeded by	Samuel Elliot
Member of the Vermont House of Representatives from Newfane
In office 1837–1838
Preceded by	Roswell M. Field
Succeeded by	Walter Eager
Windham County Register of Probate
In office 1822–1834
Preceded by	Royall Tyler
Succeeded by	Asa Keys
Member of the Vermont House of Representatives from Brattleboro
In office 1818–1819
Preceded by	Jonathan Hunt Jr.
Succeeded by	Samuel Clark
Clerk of the Windham County Court
In office 1817–1835
Preceded by	Edward R. Campbell 2nd
Succeeded by	Marshall Miller
Clerk of the Vermont House of Representatives
In office 1801–1803
Preceded by	Nathan Osgood
Succeeded by	Anthony Haswell
Personal details
Born	(1775-08-18)August 18, 1775 Gloucester, Province of Massachusetts Bay, British America
Died	November 10, 1839(1839-11-10) (aged 64) Newfane, Vermont, U.S.
Resting place	Prospect Hill Cemetery, Brattleboro, Vermont
Political party	Federalist Democratic-Republican National Republican
Spouse	Lucy Dow (m. 1803)
Children	3
Profession	Attorney Author
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Army
Years of service	1793–1796 1812–1813
Rank	Captain
Battles/wars	Whiskey 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.