On September 19, 1838 as James A. Tate, he married Marian L. Beck in the District of Columbia.

The Evening Star Wednesday, May 15, 1895
Col. James A. Tait Dead
One of the Oldest and Best Known Citizens of the District
James A. Tait died this morning at his home, 16 3d Street Southeast, in the eighty-fourth year of his age. He was one of the oldest residents of the District, having come to Washington nearly eighty years ago. Squire Tait, as he was generally known, was born in Scotland and came to this country when an infant. Like many others of our well known citizens, he received his education at McCloud’s Academy and the private school of Alexander McCormick. He had filled many positions of trust and leaves behind him the priceless legacy of a good name. He was Superintendent of the stone work during the erection of the treasury building, was one of the canal commissioners and inspector and receiver of materials at the Capitol under General Meigs. Before the war he was connected with the volunteer infantry of this city and in 1861 entered the Union service. He was second in command of the District Volunteers, under General Charles P. Stone, during the three months’ service. When this service expired he organized a regiment. He outranked, it is claimed, any volunteer Colonel and commanded a brigade during his whole service in the army.

He served under General Banks in the Valley of Virginia and participated in the Battles of Cedar Mountain and second Bull Run under General Pope and at South Mountain and Antietam under General Mansfield. He was Provost Marshall of the defenses of the Potomac and was stationed at Alexandria. Later he received the appointment of Special Agent of the Quartermaster’s General Department. Squire Tait also participated in the battles at Nashville and Mobile and was at Montgomery, Alabama, under the command of General A.J. Smith when the war closed.

Before the war he was President of the old Columbia Fire Company for fourteen consecutive years and at one time was a member of the Board of Alderman of this city. He was for many years a member of the Board of Commissioners. He was a member of the Oldest Inhabitants’ Association and was the oldest Odd Fellow in the District. He was initiated in Washington Lodge, No. 6, December 20, 1836. At that time the lodge met in a room over Walker & Kemble’s stable on C Street, where Havenner’s bakery is now located.
When President Lincoln was inaugurated Squire Tait was in command of the troops that escorted him to take the oath of office.

He leaves a daughter, Miss Cornelia Tait. The interment will be at Congressional Cemetery.

On September 19, 1838 as James A. Tate, he married Marian L. Beck in the District of Columbia.

The Evening Star Wednesday, May 15, 1895
Col. James A. Tait Dead
One of the Oldest and Best Known Citizens of the District
James A. Tait died this morning at his home, 16 3d Street Southeast, in the eighty-fourth year of his age. He was one of the oldest residents of the District, having come to Washington nearly eighty years ago. Squire Tait, as he was generally known, was born in Scotland and came to this country when an infant. Like many others of our well known citizens, he received his education at McCloud’s Academy and the private school of Alexander McCormick. He had filled many positions of trust and leaves behind him the priceless legacy of a good name. He was Superintendent of the stone work during the erection of the treasury building, was one of the canal commissioners and inspector and receiver of materials at the Capitol under General Meigs. Before the war he was connected with the volunteer infantry of this city and in 1861 entered the Union service. He was second in command of the District Volunteers, under General Charles P. Stone, during the three months’ service. When this service expired he organized a regiment. He outranked, it is claimed, any volunteer Colonel and commanded a brigade during his whole service in the army.

He served under General Banks in the Valley of Virginia and participated in the Battles of Cedar Mountain and second Bull Run under General Pope and at South Mountain and Antietam under General Mansfield. He was Provost Marshall of the defenses of the Potomac and was stationed at Alexandria. Later he received the appointment of Special Agent of the Quartermaster’s General Department. Squire Tait also participated in the battles at Nashville and Mobile and was at Montgomery, Alabama, under the command of General A.J. Smith when the war closed.

Before the war he was President of the old Columbia Fire Company for fourteen consecutive years and at one time was a member of the Board of Alderman of this city. He was for many years a member of the Board of Commissioners. He was a member of the Oldest Inhabitants’ Association and was the oldest Odd Fellow in the District. He was initiated in Washington Lodge, No. 6, December 20, 1836. At that time the lodge met in a room over Walker & Kemble’s stable on C Street, where Havenner’s bakery is now located.
When President Lincoln was inaugurated Squire Tait was in command of the troops that escorted him to take the oath of office.

He leaves a daughter, Miss Cornelia Tait. The interment will be at Congressional Cemetery.