James Monroe Deems Band (4th NH Vol Infantry) Books, Set 1. His most important legacy was his 1850 book, "Vocal Music Simplified", which was one of the earliest public-school music texts in the U.S. James Monroe Deems James Monroe Deems (1818–1901) was an American composer and music educator from Baltimore, Maryland, as well as a distinguished Union Army officer during the American Civil War. He served as lieutenant colonel of the 1st Maryland Cavalry. On July 26, 1866 President Andrew Johnson nominated Deems for appointment to the grade of brevet brigadier general of volunteers, to rank from March 13, 1865, and the United
Oak Hill (James Monroe house) to sell that property to pay debts he had incurred while serving as President. Monroe had put Oak Hill on the market in 1809, and placed an advertisement in "The Washingtonian" on December 23 of that year: He also attempted to sell the land in 1825, but failed to receive an acceptable bid both times. In 1822, Monroe began construction on the main house, a two-story brick mansion in the Federal style. He hired James Hoban, the designer of the White House, to serve as architect. Monroe's longtime friend and political mentor Thomas Jefferson offered many design suggestions. Monroe and