Biography

James Buffinton was the first mayor of Fall River. Previously a selectman in the city, Buffinton served as mayor from 1854-1855. In 1855 Buffinton was elected to serve in the House of Representatives as a member of the American Party and served three additional consecutive terms as a Republican. He left Congress in 1861 and worked for the United States Treasury Department until 1869. Buffinton ran for Congress again and served three consecutive terms from 1869 until his death in 1875. Possibly mentioned in 18610627FMS_WHS as "member of Congress of the District, (which now a part of Massachusetts, will after next Autumn be a part of Rhode Island)." FMS is referring to the redrawing of RI and MA, where RI received the towns of Seekonk and Pawtucket (East Providence) and MA received Fall River.