Moncrieff, James, 1744-1793

James Moncrieff (sometimes spelled "Moncrief") was born in 1744 to James Moncrieff of Sauchop, Fife and his wife (name unknown). After graduating from the Royal Military Academy in 1762, he acted as an ensign for the British expedition to Havana. For the next 14 years he served in the Royal Engineers in the province of East Florida and in the West Indies. During that time, Moncrieff accumulated a substantial estate consisting of land holdings and slaves (primarily in Florida). He was promoted to sub-engineer and lieutenant on December 4, 1770, and then Captain on January 10, 1776.

Once the American Revolution began, Moncrieff acted as Captain in the Royal Engineers. He fought in the Brandywine battle on September 11, 1777, and was briefly captured by the Americans at Flatbush, New York in 1778. From July, 1778, until December 1782, Moncrieff served in the southern campaign, specifically in Georgia and South Carolina. He was promoted Brevet Major on December 27, 1779, after proving himself a highly efficient engineer during the Siege of Savannah. He organized fortifications and other military works which were integral to its successful defense. Moncrieff joined the expedition commanded by Henry Clinton to capture Charlestown, South Carolina in 1780. He was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel on September 27, 1780. Following the success at Charlestown, James Moncrieff was put in charge of overseeing the defenses of the city (as Chief Engineer) where he remained until 1782.

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