James Hoban Jr. (1808 – January 19, 1846) was an American lawyer who served as United States Attorney for the District of Columbia in the 1840s.

James Hoban Jr.
1846 lithograph of Hoban by Albert Newsam
Born1808 (1808)
DiedJanuary 19, 1846(1846-01-19) (aged 37–38)
OccupationLawyer
Spouse
Marion Blackwell French
(m. 1831)
Children6
FatherJames Hoban
Signature

Early life

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James Hoban Jr. was born to James Hoban. His father was an Irish-American architect who designed the White House. Hoban was noted as looking very similar to his father.[1][2]

Career

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1836 freedom petition signed by Hoban for Michael Shiner

As a lawyer, Hoban helped a Washington, D.C., slave Michael Shiner obtain his freedom in a 1836 freedom petition.[3][4] At the time of his death, Hoban was serving as the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia.[1]

Personal life

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Purported portrait of Marion Blackwell French by Thomas Sully

Hoban married Marion Blackwell French (1813–1890) on November 22, 1831, in Washington, D.C. They had six children, Helen, Anna, Marion, James, Frederick and Lawrence.[5][6]

Hoban died on January 19, 1846.[6]

References

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  1. ^ a b "James Hoban, Architect of the White House: Civic Contributions and Family". White House Historical Association. Archived from the original on 2023-02-04. Retrieved 2023-08-01.
  2. ^ Amebeck, Bob (2014). Slave Labor in the Capital: Building Washington's Iconic Federal Landmarks. p. 103 – via Archive.org.
  3. ^ Asch, Chris Myers. Chocolate City: A History of Race and Democracy in the Nation's Capital. pp. 60–61 – via Archive.org.
  4. ^ "Michael Shinor v. Ann Howard & William E. Howard". earlywashingtondc.org. Archived from the original on 2023-06-08. Retrieved 2023-08-01.
  5. ^ District of Columbia, Marriage Records,1810-1953
  6. ^ a b Martin I. J. Griffin, ed. (1907). The American Catholic Historical Researches, Volume 3, Issue 2. p. 158 – via Archive.org.
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