Blount County AlArchives Biographies.....James, James M. July 1 1844 - after 1893
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Ann Anderson alabammygrammy@aol.com May 13, 2004, 3:50 pm

Author: Brant & Fuller (1893)
   JAMES M. JAMES, a thorough farmer, of Blount county, was born July 1, 1844.
His parents, Isaac and Rhoda (Murphree) James, were born in Alabama-the father
in 1818, the mother in 1819. The grandfather, Thomas James, was a soldier in the
war of 1812, joined the army on the Coosa river and fought through to New
Orleans, taking part in that great battle on January 8, 1813, and was also in
the battle of Talladega, Ala. After the war was over, he returned to his home,
which was then in Tennessee. His father moved from South Carolina at an early
day to Tennessee, remained there a short time, and then moved to the then
wilderness of Alabama, and, being a great hunter, he was in his glory. He would
move into the woods and make some improvements, and as civilization advanced, he
would sell out and move farther into the forest, and continued in this way until
he became quite old, when he took up some land and opened up a farm and gave the
remainder of his life to farming. Mrs. Rhoda James was a daughter of Allen and
Rhoda (Dunn) Murphree, both natives of east Tennessee. The great-grandfather,
Murphree, was a native of South Carolina, came to Alabama from Tennessee about
the time of the war of 1812, and settled in Blount county, and for many years
was a leading merchant at Blountsville, called Bearmeat Cabin. James M. James
was born and reared in Blount county, and attended school in a little pole
cabin, going irregularly, only between crop times, and walking two miles through
the wood, and not a house to be seen between home and the school. In 1863, he
eniisted in Capt. William Harrold's company, under Col. Lewis, and served until
the close the war, except while a prisoner. June 24, 1864, he was captured at
Lafayette, Ga., and carried to Indianapolis, Ind., where he was held until
February 19, 1865. After the war he returned to Blount county, his native home,
and began farming. March 10, 1869, he married Mary M. Rice, daughter of James
and Sarah (Hedrick) Rice. This union was prolific in its results, thirteen
children being born, twelve of whom are now living: Rhoda, born December 16,
1869; Lou, born April 7, 1871; N. E., born October 7, 1872; Maggie, born March
25, 1874; Sallie, born January, 9, 1876; Francis M., born September 15, 1878;
Alice, born February 22, 1880; Hattie, born April 28, 1882; Milton T., born May
14, 1885; Willie, born July 24, 1887; Mattie, born January 9, 1890; Frederick
E., born November 26, 1892. All reside at home and are unmarried. The deceased
one was born December 30, 1883, and died when nine days old. Mrs. Mary M. James
was born in 1848, and reared, till eleven years of age, in Knox county, Tenn.,
when the family moved to Alabama. Before his marriage, however, Mr. James had
attended school seven months and then began teaching and taught one term of
seven months, and after marriage he began farming on an old rented place; he was
given all he could make the first year, but continued farming for some time
until he had accumulated some money, with which he purchased the same farm; this
he rented, and for about four years taught school; in 1880, he entered into
mercantile business at Arkadelphia, Ala., and remained about four years, when he
sold out and again retired to the farm. He owned at one time about 500 acres of
good land. He now owns 270 acres where he lives, near the first purchase, which
is well improved. He is one of the substantial citizens and representative
farmers of Blount county, with his wife, is a member of the Missionary Baptist
church, and for six years, was justice of the peace of beat twenty-four. His
grandfather was named Thomas James, and great-grandfather was named Isaac James,
and his grandmother was named Sallie, and great-grandmother was named Dollie, on
his father's side, and on his mother's side his great-grandfather was William
Murphree, who was a Baptist preacher. All these old people originated from South
Carolina, first moved to Tennessee, and then to Alabama, and were of the first
settlers of north Alabama.




Additional Comments:
from "Memorial Record of Alabama", Vol. I, p. 507-508

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