James Bradley Spencer

James Bradley Spencer (April 26, 1781 – March 26, 1848) was a United States Representative from New York, serving one term in Congress from 1837 to 1839. He was born on April 26, 1781, in Salisbury, Connecticut. Spencer received a limited formal education, typical of many men of his generation who later entered public life, and in his early adulthood he left Connecticut for the expanding northern frontier of New York State. He eventually settled in Fort Covington in Franklin County, New York, a community that would remain his home and the center of his public and political career.

After moving to Franklin County, Spencer became involved in local affairs and the defense of the northern border during the War of 1812. During that conflict he raised a company of soldiers and served as a captain in the Twenty-ninth United States Infantry, contributing to the American war effort along the Canadian frontier. His military service helped establish his standing in the community and introduced him to public responsibilities at a time when the region was still developing politically and economically.

Following the war, Spencer continued his public service in a variety of local and county offices. In 1814 he was appointed a local magistrate, reflecting the trust placed in him to administer justice and maintain order in his community. He later served as Surrogate of Franklin County from 1828 to 1837, overseeing probate matters and the administration of estates at a time when the county’s population and legal business were steadily increasing. In 1829 he was appointed a loan commissioner, a position that involved the management and oversight of public funds and loans, further demonstrating his role in the financial and civic life of the region.

Spencer also participated in state-level politics before entering Congress. He was elected a member of the New York State Assembly, serving in 1831 and 1832. In the Assembly he represented the interests of his constituents in Franklin County and took part in legislative deliberations during a period of growth and political realignment in New York. His service in the state legislature helped prepare him for national office and aligned him with the Democratic Party, which was then ascendant in both state and national politics.

Spencer was elected as a Democrat to the Twenty-fifth Congress, serving from March 4, 1837, to March 3, 1839, as a U.S. Representative from New York. As a member of the Democratic Party representing New York, he contributed to the legislative process during his single term in office. His service in Congress occurred during a significant period in American history, marked by the Panic of 1837 and debates over economic policy, federal power, and westward expansion. In this context, Spencer participated in the democratic process and represented the interests of his Franklin County and northern New York constituents in the national legislature.

After the conclusion of his term in Congress, Spencer returned to private life in Fort Covington. While specific details of his later activities are less fully documented, his long record of military, judicial, financial, and legislative service indicates that he remained a respected figure in his community. He lived in Fort Covington until his death there on March 26, 1848. He was interred probably in the Old Cemetery near Fort Covington, New York, close to the community where he had spent much of his life and built his career in public service.