James Rosebrugh, Judge, was born April 24th, 1767 in MansfieldWoodhouse, Warren county, New Jersey, the oldest of five children bornto Rev. John Rosebrugh (of Revolutionary War fame) and Jane Ralston. Hisfamily moved to Allen township, in Northampton county, Pennsylvania in1769, where his father became the minister of the Allen TownshipPresbyterian church. When he was 10 years old, his father was tragicallykilled in the 2nd battle of Trenton. Without him, the family was soonbrought to the brink of destitution. His mother kept the family togetherand, after many attempts, finally after nearly 10 years, got the pensionher husband’s death entitled her to. As James grew up in theScotch-Irish community he realized he couldn’t leave his mother,brothers, and sisters to go off to get a proper college education so, heenlisted the help of neighbors and friends and built what was latercalled "The Academy." Later, after graduating, he married MargaretMcNair Wilson. In 1795, with his wife and young daughter Jane, he movedto the Genesee country of western New York, settling in Grovelandtownship.

James, in addition to being a farmer, acted as Justice of the Peace, andlater became the Representative for Ontario county at the StateLegislature at Albany. During the War of 1812, he temporarily left theLegislature to raise a company of volunteers, of which he became theirCaptain. During the war, his company, under General Smith, fought theBritish on both sides of the Canadian border. On one occasion, he foundhimself opposite his cousin John Rosebrugh, then fighting for theEnglish Crown. After the war, he returned to the Legislature. WhenLivingston county was formed, James became their first Representative.He was also County Judge and later, Surrogate.

James and Margaret had a total of seven children and thirty-onegrandchildren. He was preceded in death by two of his daughters, Jane,wife of William Leaming in 1833, and Margaretta, wife of NathanielBaldwin in 1840. James died at his home on Groveland hill on November18, 1850, at age 83. He was buried nearby at the family plot at GlenwoodCemetery, surrounded by members of his family.

Contributed by:
James Edward Fina,
"4th great-grandson"