James Bruce

James Bruce

• BIRTH 20 Mar 1763 Charlotte County, Virginia, USA
• DEATH 12 May 1837 (aged 74) Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, USA
• BURIAL Berry Hill Family Graveyard South Boston, Halifax County, Virginia, USA
• Father: Charles Bruce Mother: Diana Banks

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Residence: Staunton Hill, Virginia

When he died in 1837, he was the third wealthiest man in America. James built the family fortune through a system of stores; he operated a series of wagon trains to supply his stores with goods. Between the years 1802-1837, he was the owner or dominant partner in among other enterprises, twelve country stores, several flour mills, a fertilizer-plaster manufactory, a commerical blacksmith shop, several lumber yards, a cotton facotry, and two taverns.

Family

James Bruce married on 1 Aug 1799, (1) Sarah "Sally" Coles b. 7 Dec 1770 in Halifax Co., VA, d. 21 May 1806; they had 3 children: James Coles b. 1806 (buried at this cem.); Charles b. 1804 d. young; and Mildred 1802-1811.

He then married in Apr 1814 at "Union Hill," Nelson Co., VA, Elvira Cabell b. 10 Sep 1783 in "Union Hill, Nelson Co., VA, d.; they had the following children: Ellen Carter b. 1820; Sarah b. 1822; and Charles b. 1826. (Also William C Bruce d 1833)

References

• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/17822018/james-bruce
• The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, Volume 11 page 330. GoogleBooks