James was the son of Patrick and Catherine. James married Mary Roland at the Roman Catholic Church in Perth on 28/12/1862. Mary Roland was the daughter of John and Mary. Their children were Charles (1864-), Patrick (1865-1897), who was born in Fremantle and Alicia Catherine (1867-), who was baptised at the Perth Roman Catholic Church. James travelled to South Australia and was back by 1865. He was a tanner under the company James Lambe and Co and travelled to York in 1868, Bunbury in 1869 and Albany in 1887 to employ four ticket of leave men 1871-1876 at Albany, one a tanner, another a carter. James signed a petition in Krakouer's favour on 08/1885. James also petitioned for the Post Office to be moved from Gordon River to Tunney in 1887. He was a part of the Roman Catholic church.