James Maury
James Maury was an influential figure in colonial Virginia, born to Irish immigrants Matthew and Mary Ann Fontaine Maury. He became an Episcopal minister and a dedicated youth educator in Albemarle County, starting his ministry in 1751. Maury married Mary Walker and together they raised eleven children, one of whom, Richard Maury, was the father of Matthew Fontaine Maury, a prominent educator and naval commander for the Confederacy. During his ministry, Maury also served as a chaplain to local troops in the French and Indian War. He played a significant role in his community's religious affairs, demonstrating his commitment to the Church of England while expressing concerns about the influence of Anabaptists in Virginia. In addition to his pastoral duties, Maury established the Maury School for Boys in Charlottesville, which later moved to his farm in Edgeworth. His students included notable figures such as Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, and he emphasized the importance of subjects like geography, literature, and mathematics in his teachings. Maury's contributions to education and his engagement in community religious matters mark his legacy in early American history.
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James Maury
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- Born: April 18, 1718
- Birthplace: Dublin, Ireland
- Died: June 9, 1769
Biography
James Maury was born to Irish parents Matthew and Mary Ann Fontaine Maury, who immigrated to the Virginia colony when their son was still an infant. James Maury married Mary Walker, a daughter of Dr. Thomas Walker, on November 11, 1743, and the couple had eleven children, including Richard Maury. Richard Maury’s son and James Maury’s grandson Matthew Fontaine Maury would become a famed educator, shipman, and navy commander with the Confederacy.
James Maury became an Episcopal minister and a youth instructor in Albemarle County in Virginia in 1751, and he retained his positions until his death eighteen years later. He was also chaplain to the local troops engaged in the French and Indian War in 1755. The Virginia colony was chiefly affiliated with the Church of England, though other Christian dominations were tolerated to a degree. Maury was involved in all religious matters in his community. In 1761, a group of Anabaptists came through Virginia, and under pressure, Maury publicly appealed to all Christians to stand against the visitors (Maury feared they could cause confusion with their belief that ordination was not necessary and that all believers were entitled to preach.).
Maury established the Maury School for Boys in Charlottesville, and the school later relocated to Maury’s farm in Edgeworth. His pupils at the school included Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, and five other students who as adults would sign the Declaration of Independence. Maury taught the classics, mathematics, literature, and geography, among other subjects, and he considered geography an essential area of study.