David and Jane James, Part I

David and Jane James are 5G Grandparents of Chester Carson.

David James and Jane (Unknown last name)
->Thomas James and Sarah Henderson
-->Daniel James and Susannah Bealert
--->Daniel James Junior and Elizabeth Bandy
---->Maston James and Delilah Thrasher
----->John MacNeil James and Mary Elizabeth Amos
------>Maude Deleilah James and William Bernard Lloyd Carson
------->Chester Carson

We are fortunate to know some facts about the life of David James, one of our earliest known ancestors. Other information is surmised from these known facts.

David is believed to have been born in Wales, in the late 1600’s.

Most researchers show either 1668 or 1669 as his year of birth. There is some disagreement over his birth date and his arrival in this country. For one thing, even today few detailed records are kept for most people. Many, if they ever existed at all, have not been found, or may have been destroyed or discarded. Secondly, there may have been two men named David James alive at the same time, in the same region. If true, then some of the facts associated with our David James might be improperly assigned to him.

David James arrived in America in late October, 1682, aboard the ship “Bristol Factor.” Some believe it made land on the 28th of that month, but the exact date is in dispute. Along with David came his wife Margaret, and their daughter, Mary. Margaret and Mary are not part of our lineage.

The Bristol Factor made at least two voyages to America. The first, in 1681, was the first of a string of crossings by ships to America under the direction of William Penn. After discharging her passengers, the Bristol Factor was loaded with tobacco and returned to England. The ship was loaded between 26 July - 26 Aug 1682 in preparation for the next voyage, then set off under the direction of Roger Drew with eighteen passengers. After a voyage of about two months, which included one birth at sea, the ship arrived in the new world in October 1682.

Next time: Life in America