ERVIN, James, lawyer, b in Williamsburg district, South Carolina, 17 October 1778; died near Darlington Court House, South Carolina, 7 July 1841. He was graduated at Brown in 1797, studied law with W. D. James, and was admitted to the bar in Columbia in November 1800. He was elected to the legislature in the same year, reelected in 1802, and served until 1804. Meanwhile he had entered on his practice in Pedee County, and was solicitor of the northern judicial district from 1804 till 1816. He was then elected to congress as a supporter of the tariff, and served from 1 December 1817, till 3 March 1821. Failing health led to his declining a reelection. From 1809 till 1817 he was a member of the board of trustees of the South Carolina College.