George James was born in 1806 in Herefordshire, England the second of five children born to George and Elizabeth Lewis James. He married Mary Probert on July 28th, 1842 in Eardisley, Herefordshire, England. They had 4 children in England prior to moving to Berea, Ohio in 1851; William H. 1843, George B. 1845, Eliza 1848, and Phillip 1850. After arriving in Berea, a daughter Mary E. was born in 1853, and sons Robert F. and Charles E. were born in 1857 and 1861 respectively. Unfortunately, young 3-year-old Phillip died in 1853, and was possibly buried in the Adams Street Cemetery.
In the 1860 and 1870 federal census records George was listed as a laborer, but no specifics were given. George died February 9th 1871 of consumption and was buried at Adams Street. His wife Mary died December 4th 1879 of typhoid fever and was buried with her husband in Lot 202. At an unknown time, George, Mary, and likely Phillip were moved to Woodvale section 6, lot 10 as quarry operations threatened the integrity of their Adams Street resting spot