James Mather (c. 1750 – October 7, 1821) was mayor of New Orleans from March 9, 1807 to May 23, 1812, at which time he resigned.[1] Mather's five-year administration overlapped, by a few weeks, the transition from the United States' Territory of Orleans period to the State of Louisiana's antebellum period, with New Orleans serving as the first state capital.
His place of birth is variously given as Coupland in Northumberland; or London. A merchant by trade, he moved to America in 1776, and by 1780 he was working in New Orleans, contracting with the Spanish Government to operate two vessels out of the port and importing articles required in the trade with the native peoples of Louisiana (New Spain) and West Florida.
He was appointed mayor of New Orleans by William C.C. Claiborne, the territorial governor. Almost as soon as became mayor, he was obliged to take measures to defend the city against the possibility of a conspiracy by the friends of Aaron Burr, which, however, did not eventuate. In November 1809, through similar measures, he is credited with suppressing an uprising of the black population.
Mather attempted to establish a viable police force for the city, but failed. He succeeded, however, in creating a tolerably efficient fire department.
The last years of his administration saw him under fire for being under the influence of certain individuals, for failing to protect the city's interests by vetoing the resolutions of the city council, and for hiring people to write anonymous letters attacking his enemies and paying them with public funds: whether any of this was true has proved impossible to determine. In 1812, however, his health was infirm, and he resigned.
james, mather, politician, james, mather, 1750, october, 1821, mayor, orleans, from, march, 1807, 1812, which, time, resigned, mather, five, year, administration, overlapped, weeks, transition, from, united, states, territory, orleans, period, state, louisiana. James Mather c 1750 October 7 1821 was mayor of New Orleans from March 9 1807 to May 23 1812 at which time he resigned 1 Mather s five year administration overlapped by a few weeks the transition from the United States Territory of Orleans period to the State of Louisiana s antebellum period with New Orleans serving as the first state capital James Mather4th Mayor of New OrleansIn office 1807 1812Preceded byJohn WatkinsSucceeded byCharles TrudeauPersonal detailsBorn1750Coupland EnglandDiedOctober 7 1821Lutcher LouisianaSpouseFrances MatherChildren5 His place of birth is variously given as Coupland in Northumberland or London A merchant by trade he moved to America in 1776 and by 1780 he was working in New Orleans contracting with the Spanish Government to operate two vessels out of the port and importing articles required in the trade with the native peoples of Louisiana New Spain and West Florida Mather and his descendants owned a large sugar plantation in Lutcher Louisiana until 1879 2 He was appointed mayor of New Orleans by William C C Claiborne the territorial governor Almost as soon as became mayor he was obliged to take measures to defend the city against the possibility of a conspiracy by the friends of Aaron Burr which however did not eventuate In November 1809 through similar measures he is credited with suppressing an uprising of the black population Mather attempted to establish a viable police force for the city but failed He succeeded however in creating a tolerably efficient fire department The last years of his administration saw him under fire for being under the influence of certain individuals for failing to protect the city s interests by vetoing the resolutions of the city council and for hiring people to write anonymous letters attacking his enemies and paying them with public funds whether any of this was true has proved impossible to determine In 1812 however his health was infirm and he resigned James Mather retired to his son s property on the Acadian Coast along the Mississippi River where he died in 1821 References edit John Kendall s History of Louisiana 1922 Chapter VI accessed 10 Sept 2015 StoppingPoints com James Mather Historical Marker External links editMATHER James J in Louisiana Historical Association s Dictionary of Louisiana Biography Mather as mayor of New Orleans in Kendall s history of New Orleans Mather administration on N O Public Library website transcription of a 1940 WPA compilation of the city s mayors Letter dated 28 November 1807 from Charles Trudeau to the mayor at Louisiana Digital Library in French with biographical profile listing James Mather s family members James Mather at Find a Grave Preceded byJohn Watkins Mayor of New OrleansMarch 9 1807 May 23 1812 Succeeded byCharles Trudeau Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title James Mather politician amp oldid 1199911002, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
