Grant, James, 1720-1806

Variant names

Hide Profile

British army officer, colonial governor, and member of Parliament.

From the description of James Grant of Ballindalloch papers, 1740-1819 (bulk 1760-1780). (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 70984748

Major, 77th Regiment, "Gen. Jeffery Amherst's forces," British colonial army.

From the description of Letter, 1757 Sept. 22, Charleston, [S.C., to] Alex[ander] Brodie, Lethen, [Scotland]. (University of South Carolina). WorldCat record id: 30699124

Biographical Note

  • 1720: Born, Ballindalloch Castle, Banffshire, Scotland
  • 1735 - 1741 : Studied law, College of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland
  • 1741: Commissioned ensign, Royal Scots regiment
  • 1744: Promoted to captain while serving in Flanders, Belgium
  • 1745 - 1748 : Aide-de-camp to James St. Clair
  • 1757: Promoted to major in newly-formed First Highland Regiment commanded by Archibald Montgomery Traveled with regiment to South Carolina
  • 1758: Defeated and captured by the French army at Fort Duquesne (Pittsburgh), Pa.
  • 1760 - 1761 : Second in command of expedition against Cherokee Indians on South Carolina frontier
  • 1762: Promoted to temporary rank of colonel, Fortieth Regiment Appointed lieutenant governor, Havana, Cuba
  • 1763 - 1773 : Royal governor, East Florida
  • 1770: Became laird of Ballindalloch Castle on death of nephew, William Grant
  • 1771: Departed Florida for Scotland
  • 1774: Elected member, House of Commons
  • 1775: Delivered speech in House of Commons criticizing American colonial troops Promoted to permanent rank of colonel and given command of Fifty-fifth Regiment
  • 1775: Promoted to temporary rank of brigadier and later major general in America
  • 1775 - 1778 : Participated in the siege of Boston, Mass., and in battles on Long Island, Harlem Heights, White Plains, and Fort Washington, N.Y.; Morristown, Princeton, and Woodbridge, N.J.; and Brandywine, Germantown, and Barren Hill, Pa.
  • 1778: Captured St. Lucia as commander of British military expedition
  • 1779: Returned to Great Britain
  • 1780: Defeated in parliamentary elections
  • 1782: Promoted to permanent rank of lieutenant general
  • 1787: Reelected to Parliament
  • 1791: Given command of Eleventh Regiment
  • 1796: Retired from active military service
  • 1802: Relinquished seat in House of Commons
  • 1806, Apr. 13: Died, Ballindalloch Castle, Banffshire, Scotland

From the guide to the James Grant of Ballindalloch Papers, 1740-1819, (bulk 1760-1780), (Manuscript Division Library of Congress)

Archival Resources

Person

Birth 1720

Death 1806

English,

French,

Spanish; Castilian

Information

Permalink: http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w651512x

Ark ID: w651512x

SNAC ID: 31470662