In the 1851 English census, James is listed as living in Hazelden Common near Cranbrook
together with Julia, son George, and daughter Mary Ann. His occupation was recorded as an
Agricultural Labourer.

On the 7 th of June 1859, less than three months after burying his wife and only son, James and
his four girls departed Southampton on the ship Parsee and set off for Australia. The Parsee
arrived in Sydney on the 14th of September 1859, 95 days after leaving England. James is
listed on the ships documents as being 34 year old Church of England labourer who could
read and write, with daughters Mary Ann 8, Ellen 6, Julia 3, Susannah 1.