James grew up farming and from an early age, alongside his grandmother, Marion, looked after ‘Greenlaw’ farm until it could be sold.
In 1897 he married Elizabeth McMillan.
When ‘Greenlaw’ sold in 1906, James, with his with Elizabeth and family, moved to Drummond to carry on farming.
These are the children of James and Elizabeth
| 1897 | Elizabeth | Died | 1980 |
| 1899 | David | Died | 1972 |
| 1900 | James Andrew | Died | 1928 |
| 1901 | Christina Janet | Died | 1974 |
| 1903 | John McMillan Watt | Died | 1985 |
| 1905 | May Crawford | Died | 1905 |
| 1906 | Marion Marie | Died | 2004 |
James passed in 1928, Elizabeth passed away in 1931. Both are buried in Invercargill Cemetery.
