James Maury

Who was James Maury?

The Reverend James Maury was a prominent Virginia educator and Anglican minister during the American Colonial period. He was a figure in the notable lawsuit that became known as "The Parson's Cause" in 1763, in which the young attorney Patrick Henry argued that the colony had the right to establish its own method of payment to clergy.

Born in Dublin to French Huguenots, Maury came to the Virginia colony as an infant with his parents. He became educated and attended The College of William and Mary. He went to England to become ordained as an Anglican minister in 1741. He established his own classical school for boys, where he taught the young Thomas Jefferson among others.

In February 1742, Maury went to England and was ordained as an Anglican minister of the established Church of England. Returning to Virginia, Maury became minister for one year of a parish in King William County and then served for 18 years in Louisa County at Fredericksville Parish. He was highly regarded for his piety and learning. Maury was minister of his parish until his death on June 9, 1769.