Heritage \ People \

James Gillespie Birney (1792-1857)
Founding pioneer of Bay City, twice ran for President of the United States .

By Marvin Kusmierz (Jul. 2002, Updated Oct. 2007)

Birth: February 4, 1792 in Danville, KY
Death: November 25, 1857 in Eagleswood, NJ
Burial: Williamsburg Cemetery, Groveland, Livingston Co., N.Y.
Spouse: Agatha McDowell, married 1816 in KY.

James Gillespie Birney II was the son of a wealthy Irish family and this, along with his own capabilities, provided him with the financial means and freedom to pursue many worthy causes throughout his life, including a leadership position in the anti-slavery movement. He was named James after his father, and two of his descendants, his first son and a grandson, carried the name forward. -- This can be a bit confusing in reading the histories associated with the Birney family.

His father, James Gillespie Birney, Sr, born in 1767 in Ireland. He immigrated to the United States in 1793 when he was only 16 years old. After a brief stay in Pennsylvania, he moved on to Kentucky where he lived out the rest of his life as a wealthy man, from his many investments in manufacturing and farming. He was a shareholder in the Kentucky River Co., formed to improved to navigation of Kentucky's rivers. He married Martha "Maria" Reed on April 5, 1791, and ten months later, their first child, James Gillespie Birney II, was born on February 4, 1792. A daughter, Anna Marie Reed Birney, was born a year late on July 4, 1793. Martha died two years later. James Sr., only 26 years-old, decided it was in the best interest of the children that they be raised by their aunt.

James G. Birney is arguably the most prominent person in the history of Bay City. He was well known not only in the U.S., but aboard for his his leadership role the fight to abolish slavery. Twice he ran as a candidate for the presidency, the second time while a resident of this community. Bay City is among a few communities with such a unique history, and its something that the citizens of Bay City today could rightly take pride in if they knew the history.

Early Years of James II Unknown.

Nothing was found regarding the early years of young James, nor specifically which aunt he lived with. She may have been his father's sister, Anna Marie, or one of his mother's sisters. It is assumed that James grew up near or in Dansville, KY, where his family reside. What is known is that he received a fine education -- attending Transylvania College at Lexington, KY and the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University) where he was an honors graduate 1810. After his schooling he returned to Kentucky for two years, before making a move to Philadelphia where joined the law office of Alexander J. Dallas. Here he was able to study law "first-hand" for the next three years, before returning to Kentucky and setting up his own law practice.

Meets Agatha McDowell.

Young James took a fancy to Agatha McDowell, the daughter of William McDowell, U.S. Circuit Court Justice. and member of one Kentucky's most influential families. Her uncle, George McDowell, was a Governor of Kentucky. James successfully courted Agatha, and the two were married on On Feb 1, 1816. That year also marked the beginning James' political career. He was elected as a representative to the Kentucky state legislature. Although he was a slave owner, James aligned himself with the minority group of legislators that were opposed to slavery. On June 7, 1817, in Dansville

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-- In 1817 Agatha gave birth to their first child, James III, who lived to the age of seventy-one.

1818 - Move to Alabama.

James purchased a cotton farm plantation near Madison City, Alabama where he settled with his family. In addition to managing his farm, James continued his polical career being successly elect to Alabama state legislature. He was a member of the first legislature to operate under a new Alabama constitution enacted in 1819. During this time took strong stances against slavery. He unsuccessly pushed for legislation that would prohibit slaves from other states being sold in Alabama. He voted nay when a resolution was proposed to honor General Jackson on the grounds he was a slave owner.

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-- In 1819, Agatha gave birth to their second child, William who lived to the age of eighty-eight.

1820 - Huntsville, AL.

James sold his unprofitable plantation and moved to nearby Huntsville where he opened up a law practice. The decision proved to be a timely one, shortly thereafter, he was appointment solicitor of the northern circuit and this helped considerable in the growth of his law practice.

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-- Two years later, in 1821, Agatha gave birth of a daughter and their third child, Margaret who lived only one year.

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-- Five years later (1825) their fourth child, David Bell, was born. He lived to the age of thirty-nine.

1826 - Change of Faith.

Under gentle pressure from Agatha, James decided to give up his Episcopalian church to join the Presbyterian faith. During their years were active and influential members of a number of Presbyterian congregations, including the establishment of the Presbyterian church during the early days of Bay City when it was an infant pineer village known as Lower Saginaw. James, in a partnership with James Fraser and Dr. Daniel Fitzhugh took ownership of the faltering Saginaw Bay Company in 1848. They laid out a new village plat that year. Birney made certain that a sufficient number of "free lots" were set aside for the growth of new churches.

1827 - Legislative Success.

James legislative persistence was rewarded when the Alabama legislature finally passed the provision that he had introduced eight years to "prohibit importation of slaves from other states for sale in Alabama."

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-- That year, Agatha rewarded his successes with the birth of their sixth child, Arthur Hopkins who lived to the age of six.

1828 - Political Success.

By 1828, James had established himself as a prominent person in Alabama politics. He was a candidate for presidential elector on the Adares ticket and canassed the state of Alabama for the Adams party. Locally, he was the recognized leader for educational and other improvement to Huntsville.

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-- In 1829, Agatha gave birth to their seventh child, Martha Reed, who lived only to the age of four.

1930s - National Recognition

The 1930s saw James anti-slavery efforts reached beyond local and state politics. He made a failed attempt to engage Henry Clay, a close friend of his father and a powerful political figure in Kentucky, to lead an emancipation movement in Kentucky, which led to a political breakdown in their relationship, although they continued to maintain a cordial personal relationship. For several years during this incident, James involved was an advisor to the Cherokee nation. This experience help to expanded his interest and strong political position in supporting such groups that had been wronged by existing laws. Law he considered inconsistent with the constitution.

1831 - Tired of Alabama Politics.

Disgusted and frustrated by the evil influences of slavery in Alabama, James decided it was time to leave the state and move to Jackson, Illinois, where he believed he might have a better chance of moving forward with his anti-slavery thrust. However, before departing Alabama he was unexpectedly offered an appointment by the American Colonization Society as its agent in the southwest. Believing this might be an opportunity to further his anti-slavery cause, he accepted the position. After a year he game up the position as it was clear he was wasting his time trying to alter the minds of key Alabama politicians whose properous lives were so powerfully entrenched in the economics of slavery. It would take something more than political persuasion to turn the south away from slavery.

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-- In 1832, Agatha gave birth to their eighth child, George who lived to the age of twenty-four.

1833 - Return to Kentucky Roots.

After resigning his position with the American Colonization Society in 1833, James returned to his roots in Kentucky where thought he might have be able might achieve more favorable results in moving anti-slavery convictions. If he could influence Kentuckians to emancipate their slaves, it could act as a catalyst leading neighboring states like Virginia and Tennessee to do the same. However, his efforts faltered as during the years he was gone Henry Clay and other individuals had strengthened the opposition to anti-slavery movements. Undaunted, James freed the slave he had inherited from his father in 1834 and a year later, formed the Kentucky Anti-slavery Society, which consisted of forty members. In May of that year, he went to New York to speak before the American Anti-slavery Society, which identified him leading abolitionists of north, names like Judge William Jay, Theodore Weld, Alvan Steward and Thomas Morris. The occassion proved to be very regenerative for Birney. Upon returning to Kentucky he was intent on establishing a weekly anit-slavery newspaper. However, even this proved discouraging as no publisher was willing to print the newspaper for him. It was a tesity time of volatile conflicts among conflicting interests for or against slavery. Those advocating the end of slavery were facing serious threats of violence. Ever President Jackson took a negative stance against the abolitionist movement. He lobbied Congress and state legislatures to enact laws that would prohibit "incendiary" (anti-slavery) publications and to refuse their use of the mail system.

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-- That year, Agatha gave birth to their ninth child, Florence. The year of her death is unknown.

Went to Press in Cincinnati.

In spite of these obstacles and personal threats to himself and family, Birney persisted. He moved his family to Cincinnati, OH, where he found a willing publisher to print his anti-slavery newspaper. While conditions better than elsewhere, Birney still had to deal significant faction of the population upholding ownership of slaves and more than willing to actively opposed any abolitionist movement. Birney found out just how ugly things could get. On January 22, 1836, an organized mob against his abolitionist paper gathered out in front of Birney's publishing business. Birney sought help from law enforce but they wouldn't respond, saying were without the means to protect his property. Birney was left with little choice other than his power of persuasion. He confronted the mob with calm and conviction, then spoke to them about evils of slavery in such a manner they could understand how corrupting of the soul slavery is. His reasoning prevailed with a majority of the mob, which disbanded.

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-- That year Agatha gave birth to their tenth child, Georgina who lived less than one year.

The Philantropist

His publication the " Philanthropist" gained in circulation -- Birney's oracle quality, writing expertise and ability to master a subject served him well as an editor. Possessing intimate and extensive knowledge of a subject, he presented his opinion in an unconfrontation manner manner that often won over those holding an opposing point of view. Much of his personal time was spent doing speaking engagements. He traveled to towns and cities in the free states, where often addressed legislative bodies and civic groups. The common theme of his lectures pointed to the unlawful methods of those favoring slavery. Unless they are confronted these actions would erode freedom speech, free press, trial by juries, and expand the injustice of slave labor. He called for them to rally against political encroachments being made by powerful pro-slavery factions of the south who seek to spread slavery to other states.

1837 - Move to New York.

In 1837, Birney was unanimously elected as Secretary of the American Anti-slavery Society. After accepting the postion in Sepember, he moved to New York City with his family. Birney knew the move would to New York and his new position elevate his influence in national politics. He also new that the major political parties were unwilling to seriously address the slavery issue. To push his agenda to the fore front of voters, he encouraged the development of a new political party of abolitionists that became the Liberty party. Birney was unanimously elected as the party's candidate in the presidential election of 1940. He gained only 7,369 votes in this election, but this did not discourage a man like Birney who passion and will were fuels by his faith in fight the inhumanity of slavery that he despised so much.

Appearance Before U.S. Supreme Court.

In 1838, Birney received the opportunity to appear before Supreme Court of the United States to address the subject of slavery, an extraction of his words from his speech before this body follows... w (a link to the full text is available at the bottom of this page)

"Judging from the best and most authentic history of the Convention of 1787, it was well known then, that liberty and slavery could not permanently co-exist -- that if liberty got the upper hand, slavery, its everlasting antagonist, in some form or other, must, in the same proportion, go down, and vice versa. Being incongruous elements, they cannot dwell peaceably together -- for incongruous they ever have been, and ever must be, as sin and holiness; one must, in time, put the other down. But the ingenuity, or, rather, the lubricity of the human mind is very great; men, without much difficulty, are persuaded to think of themselves as belonging to a clique or section of society, rather than to the race, and prone to interpret or construe matters pertaining to that section according to the prepossessions, prejudices, or passions which prevail among those who are looked on as composing it."

(A link to the full speech is at the bottom of this page.)

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-- That year Agatha gave birth to their eleventh child, Ellen, who lived less than one year.

1839 - Death of Agatha.

In 1839, James lost his love, friend and companion of thirty-three years. Agatha's passing left an emptiness that in Birney could only be overcome by his deep faith in God. Inspite of his great loss, Birney carried on. The following year he traveled to England where he gave frequent lectures. The following was written by one of Birney's friends who was there and felt compelled to speak openly about Birney's many virtues .

"It was truly refreshing to me while I was in Great Britain, amid the many complaints against my countrymen to which I was obliged to listen, to hear our excellent friend, James G. Birney so frequently spoken of, and always in terms of unqualified approbation and respect. The mention of his name in these circles in which he was known, and they were both numerous and extensive, invariably imparted pleasure, and many were the inquiries which were made in respect to his welfare. I could not but observe that intelligent men both in England and Scotland very highly appreciated him for that trait in his character, which I have always from my first acquaintance with Mr. Birney, regarded as exhibited by him in a remarkable degree. You will doubtless understand me as referring to his candor. He never deals in exaggeration or sophistry. In his public addresses and discussions, which were numerous, in that country, as well as in his private conversations, by the sobriety of his own views, by the fairness and fullness with which he stated the positions and arguments of his opponents, and by the manliness with which he met and refuted them, he ever impressed his auditors with a conviction of the soundness of his sentiments and of the perfect reliance which might be placed upon his statements. The visits of such men to foreign lands, are an honor to our country, and leave behind them a savor which is grateful to an American citizen."

Source: Impressions of Mr. Birney expressed by Mr. Kellogg after his return to Illinois from England.

1841 - A New Love.

In 1841, Birney met Elizabeth Fitzhugh, the sister of Dr. Daniel H. Fitzhugh, who was among the first to purchase large tracks of government land in Michigan before it became a state, and who was a dear friend to Birney until his death. The relationship between Elizabeth and James developed quickly and a year later the two were married.

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-- That year year Elizabeth gave birth to their first child (Birney's twelfth), a son named Fitzhugh who lived to the age of forty-two.

Elizabeth Cady Stanton makes mention of James in her writings, "Eighty Years And More: Reminiscences 1815-1897", publish in 1898. In Chapter V she recalls meeting James aboard ship on a trip to England in 1840. James was a friend of her husband, H. B. Stanton, and both in route to the World's Anti-slavery Convention. The verse gives some perspective to the character of James, which may read in its entiriety at digital.libary.upenn.edu/women/stanton/years/years-v.html. Her writings cover a number of other interest subjects that may be of general interest about this time period.

Remarkable Saginaw Valley

James along with his brother-in-law Dr. Fitzhugh had an interest in land purchases that could be sold later on for a hansome profit. Dr. Fitzhugh in fact never entered the medical practice because of the wealth that could be med in land speculations, to which he devoted the majority of his time. It was Dr. Fizhugh who was largely responsible for Birney checking out the Saginaw Valley. The two visited the area together and Birney the trip here alone in 1841. He was so impressed with the area that the he penned the following letter written on November 19, 1941 to Dr. Fitzhugh living in Livingston Co., New York.

"On Monday I went to Lower Saginaw, and made a rather extensive survey of both sides of the river, more than was done when we were together. I am more and more convinced this is to be an important commercial point. The schooner Warren, showing nothing aboard except for our furniture -- all of which could not have exceeded 10 tons -- was unable to make it over the bar (sand bars between here and Saginaw). Vessels which can navigate the bay can always make it to Lower Saginaw."

"So well convinced am I that Lower Saginaw is to be a place of some importance that I have made up my mind -- Elizabeth concurring -- to make the vicinity of it our place of settlement, and this without any expectation of our changing our location."

Lower Saginaw.

In the Spring of 1842, James moved his family to Saginaw which was just south of Lower Saginaw and already a growing community. They settled into the Webster House, a hotel built in 1837 by the Saginaw Bay Company. The hotel had fallen on hard times and was without a single guest. James decided to take over the entire hotel for his home. -- In July, he sent another letter off to Dr. Daniel Fitzhugh.

"The mass of our neighbors are Indians -- drunken Indians -- made drunk by white men. I'm raising my voice in protesting the inequity of making Indians drunk and cheating them."

This was typical of James, he saw a injustice and rised up against it.

In 1843, James and Elizabeth moved on to Lower Saginaw and stayed initially at the Sydney Campbell's Globe Hotel, which was located on the south west corner of Fifth and Water streets.
-- That year Elizabeth gave birth to their second child (Birney's thirteenth), Anna Hughes who lived to the age of three.

Second Run for Presidency

In 1844, Birney made a second attempt at the presidency while a resident of this city. Guy Beckley, another local resident, is believed to have written the platform for the Liberty (Freedom) Party on which Birney ran. Guy was a former Methodist paster in Vermont where he lived before coming to Bay City. He also had been a long-time activist in the anti-slavery movement. Guy traveled around the U.S. promoting his candidate, James G. Birney, as only good choice to become the country next president. Birney get 62,263 votes in spite of attempts by the Whig party who three days before the election circulated a forged letter stating candidate Birney had announced his withdrawal from the election. This letter, known as the "Garland forgery", was widely circulated in Ohio and New York and is believed to have cost Birney a significant number of votes. However, the votes Birney did get contributed to a win for James Poke over Henry Clay.

1845 - End is Near.

In the summer of 1845, James' health was given a tragic blow -- out horseback riding with son William, James was thrown from his horse. Feeling capable at the time, he remounted his horse and rode back to the house. The next morning he was paralyzed. Birney struggled with his condition for twos at his Lower Saginaw home before he decided to head East in 1853 to Eagleswood, New Jersey. There he hoped he might get better medical treatment to give hime some relieve to his problem. He died November 25, 1857, the same year Bay County was organized. His burial took place in the family plot at Williamsburg Cemetery in Groveland, Livingston Co., New York. Also buried here is his wife, Elizabeth, and two of their children, their daugher Anna and son Fitzhugh.

In 1963, Sidney Glazier, professor of history at Wayne State University, concluded that, "James G. Birney was one of the twenty two most outstanding citizens in Michigan history."

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Closing Comments.

If you are a resident of Bay City, I encourage you to get in touch with the rich history of your community. James G. Birney is but one of many prominent individuals that shared an important part of their life here. These individuals deserve our awareness not for who they were, but for the signicance of their contributions they made to better life during during their times.