| 1750 |
Born in Coupland, Northumberland, England ca. 1750, the son of Peter and Eleanor Mather. |
| 1776 |
Moves to the United States and establishes a mercantile firm with George Morgan and later Arthur Strother. |
| 1777 |
Arrives in British West Florida on the ship Royal Oak. He later begins to acquire extensive land holdings in southeast Louisiana. |
| 17?? |
James Mather marries Frances Mather - not a blood relation - His children: George - marries Auverre Trudeau, Ann marries Philip Hickey, Frances marries Abner Duncan and another daughter marries Judge Wayne Wickoff. |
| 1780 |
By 1780 he is a New Orleans merchant in good standing with the firm of Mather and Strother. He has a contract with the Spanish Government to operate two vessels importing from London items need for trade with the Indians of Louisiana and West Florida. He gains this contract after Gilbert St. Maxent is incarcerated by the British authorities in Jamaica. The contract is given to William Parton of Pensacola in 1785. |
| 1803 |
James Mather identifies himself completely with the American cause. |
| 1804 |
Appointed to the Orleans Territory Legislative Council. |
| 1805 |
Appointed a judge in the County of Lafourche. |
| 1806 |
Again appointed to the Orleans Territory Legislative Council. |
| 1807-1812 March 9 |
Appointed the 4th Mayor of New Orleans. During his watch Creole refugees arrive from St. Domingue and Cuba where many have lived for several years. The government finally appropriates $15,000 for the College of Orleans. A slave insurrection alarms planters in 1811. The first steam boat arrives. Louisiana is admitted to the Union. |
| 1807-1812 |
Other Municipal Officers: Recording Secretary: Charles Trudeau Sec.; Maurice Bourgeois Commissioner of Police: Gabriel P.H. Loeben; Pierre A Rivery Treasurer: Charles L. Blache Surveyor: James Tanesse City Council First District: J. Lanna; T. H. Poree; L.S. Fontaine Second: David Urquhart; Faurie; James Starrett; Francois Duplessis; J. Henderson; Richard Relf Third: Robelot; Deflechier; Dorville; Pierre Bertonniere; J. Soulie; Claude Treme Fourth: H. Lavigne; M. Bertoniere; F. Percy; A Chastant Fifth: Samuel Winter; Antoine Carraby; B. Morgan; Thomas L. Harmon; W. Brand; J. McNeil; J Freret Sixth: P. Lanusse; Mayronne; Le Breton Des Chapelles; L. Bouligny; François Livaudais, Sr.; J.D.D. Bellechasse Seventh: S. Duffossat; F. M. Guerin; J. Blanque; J. Castanedo Eighth: Bernard Marigny; Pierre Missotiere Unknown District: Jean Baptiste Macarty; Magnon; Laronde; Patton; Cenas; Colsson; Fortin. |
| 1812 May 16 |
Resigns from his post as Mayor of New Orleans due to criticism, advancing years and poor health. He retires to his estate in St. James Parish. Appointed aTrustee of the College of Orleans. |
| 1808-1810 |
Appointed a director of the Orleans Navigation Company. |
| 1821 |
Dies at his son’s Acadian Coast estate in St. James Parish and is interred at St. Michael’s Cemetery, Convent. |