James H. Birch (October 3, 1803 – December 20, 1870) was an American slave trader in the District of Columbia.

[5] In 1834 he was partnered with one Jones in the slave trading business, and their advertisements were noticed in the Liberator abolitionist newspaper: "We will pay the highest price for any number of likely Negroes, from 12 to 25 years of age.

While in Birch's "three-story Duke street pen" previously owned by Franklin & Armfield, she killed two of her four children rather than see them sold south.

District Attorney Francis Scott Key advised Nathan Allen, husband of Dorcas and father of the children, to raise money to try to buy their freedom.

With contributions from figures like John Quincy Adams it was done and Allen and her children were freed from Birch's shackles.

I can at all times be found at the Steamboat Hotel, formerly kept by Themas Lloyd, and now by B. O. Shekell, on 7th street, opposite the Centre Market.

"[11] Birch was responsible for the kidnapping and selling of Solomon Northup, a free man, in Washington in 1841.

Following his acquittal, Birch demanded charges be filed against Solomon Northup for trying to defraud him, but then withdrew the case.