James Sullivan (governor)

James Sullivan ( born April 22, 1744 Berwick, Massachusetts, † December 10, 1808 in Boston, Massachusetts ) was an American politician and from 1807 to 1808 Governor of Massachusetts.

Early years

James Sullivan was born into a politically active family. His brother John was from 1774 to 1776 a member of the Continental Congress for New Hampshire. His nephew George was 1811-1813 deputy in the U.S. House of Representatives. James Sullivan was born in Berwick, which at that time belonged to Massachusetts, but now is located in York County in the State of Maine. He was educated by his father, who also taught him the necessary education. James then studied law. Between 1775 and 1782 he was a judge at a court in Massachusetts, although he was admitted until around the year 1782 as a lawyer. After this admission, he began to work in Biddeford in his profession.

Political rise

Between 1774 and 1775 James Sullivan was a member of the Provincial Congress of Massachusetts; 1775-1776 he was a deputy in the Parliament of Massachusetts. In 1782 and 1783, he was elected to the Continental Congress, but without participating in its meetings. In 1787, Sullivan was a member of the Governing Council of Massachusetts and 1788 he was a judge in a probate court in Suffolk County. From 1790 to 1807 was James Sullivan Attorney General of his home state. During this time he competed five times unsuccessfully for the governorship.

Governor of Massachusetts

On April 6, 1807 Sullivan was elected as the candidate of the Democratic-Republican party for governor of his state. A year later he was confirmed. He exercised this office from 29 May 1807 and his death on 10 December 1808. During this time there were political differences between the governor and the legislature to the method for determining the electors for federal offices. Even before his time Governor Sullivan had founded the Massachusetts Historical Society. James Sullivan was married twice and had nine children.