He was the author of Commentaries on American Law .
James Kent ( July 31 , 1763 in Fredericksburg , then Dutchess , now Putnam County , New York -- December 12 , 1847 in New York City ) was an American jurist and legal scholar .
James Kent was the James Kent of Commentaries on American Law .
James Kent ( July 31 , 1763 in Fredericksburg , then Dutchess , now Putnam County , New York -- December 12 , 1847 in New York City ) was an American jurist and legal scholar .