| Notes |
- From FindaGrave:
Sgt in The War of 1812
There were two memorials for James Creighton Churchill on Find A Grave since he was interred initially at Western Cemetery but later removed to Evergreen Cemetery. Thanks to JJoyce for providing the following information: "James Churchill Sr. was removed to Evergreen, probably when his widow died in 1879."
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The Honorable James Creighton Churchill was the son of Thomas Churchill and Alice Creighton. He married Eliza Walker Osborne, the daughter of Rev. John Osborne, a Baptist minister, on January 8, 1809.
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The following is taken from The Churchill Family in America:
James Creighton Churchill (Thomas-5, Thomas-4, Barnabas-3, Joseph-2, John-1). Died in Portland, Me., Nov. 20, 1865.
His early life was passed in his native town where he received the usual common school education of that day. He evidently had experience also on ship-board, as he was in command of a vessel in his early manhood. He learned the trade of ship-carpenter and later engaged in ship-building at Portland, Me.
In the War of 1812, he served as a sergeant, in the 34th U.S. Infantry, Capt. David Sherman's Company. Was later appointed quartermaster, serving two enlistments consecutively, from May 13, 1814, to June 15, 1815, when he was honorably discharged at Portland, Maine.
After engaging in ship-building for a few eyars he became interested in the trade with the West Indies, then just beginning to attract the attention of Northern merchants. After a few voyages of investigation he combined with several associates and bought some sugar plantations near Cardenas, Cuba, which was soon made a port of entry, and established there the beginning of the large and prosperous business which later made Portland one of the most important seaports on the coast. He was thus a pioneer and leading spirit among the notable old-time Portland merchants.
He was public-spirited and influential in many directions. In 1828 he was elected one of the presidential electors, in the bitter contest waged between the parties, and he was known long after as "the star of the East," because of his solitary persistent vote for Andrew Jackson. In the political upheaval of 1834 he was Whig candidate for Congress, but the party was in the minority and he failed of election.
In 1844 he was elected mayor of Portland, and is remembered as one of the best and most popular of the city's old-time rulers.
He was a natural organizer of commercial enterprises, and in the agitation of the plan to connect Portland and Montreal by a railroad he was chief actor, and became treasurer of the old "Portland Company," organized for the manufacture of locomotives, cars, and railroad machinery, furnishing much of the rolling stock and running material of the old "Atlantic and St. Lawrence Railroad," now a part of the "Grand Trunk" system. He held the position of treasurer of the railroad till a short time before his death.
He was also chiefly instrumental in organizing the "Casco Iron Works," of which he was treasurer, while for many years he conducted an extensive insurance business, and to his last days attended promptly and faithfully to all his official duties.
He was a prominent Mason, a member of "Ancient Landmark Lodge No. 17, of Free and Accepted Masons." Was a Past Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of Maine.
He is remembered in all his public relations and in his personal life as one of Portland's most useful and honored citizens.
His funeral service was held in the Pearl Street Universalist Church, of which society he was an honored member, and was attended by a great concourse of his fellow-citizens, Masonic brethren, and members of city, State, and national governments. Three of his personal friends, and prominent clergymen, officiated at the service: Revs. Dr. Bolles, George W. Quimby, and I. M. Atwood.
He married, in Portsmouth, at her father's house, Jan. 8, 1809, Eliza Walker Osborne, daughter of Rev. John Osborne, a Baptist minister, who officiated at the marriage ceremony. They lived for some time after marriage at Lee, and New Market, N.H., where their eldest child was born, and, after 1815, at Portland, Me.
https://www.loc.gov/resource/gdcmassbookdig.churchillfamilyi01chur/?c=160&sp=1&st=gallery
6th Generation. P. 108 - 111
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1787 - 1865 (78 years)
