Married Eliza Reeder Sep 28 1850 in Linstead Parva, Suffolk, England. Crossed the plains in the Willie Handcart Company. James was traveling with his wife, Eliza Reeder Hurren, and their four daughters:
Mary (7), Emma ( 4), and Sarah ( 2). Their youngest daughter, Selena, was born on July 14, 1856 at Iowa City. She lived only 2 weeks and died at Cherry Creek, along the trail in Iowa. They were also accompanied by Eliza's father, David Reeder, and Eliza's sister,Caroline Reeder, who both died on the trail, and Eliza's brother, Robert Reeder.
James was very strong and healthy. He was considered the strongest man in his company and was always willing to do more than his share. In addition to the family baggage and cooking utensils, he put as many as five extra sacks of flour (which weighed 100 pounds each) on his cart when the emigrants were asked to add the flour to their loads. Many complained about carrying even one sack. He also gave rides to two little girls who were not able to walk. The physically capable men stood guard duty at night,and in this, too, James far exceeded his quota of hours. Eliza worried that he would ruin his health, but Captain Willie promised him that if only one man in the company reached the Valley, it would be James. James did retain his health but two of his daughters were very sick, and they missed their Aunt Caroline, who was 17 years old. She had died on the trail, just before they had reached Independence Rock.
The weather grew colder each day, and Mary's feet eventually froze. When the family finally arrived in the Valley, their first concern was little Mary's frozen feet. They took her to a doctor and he said her legs would have to be amputated or she would die. Her father protested, "This little girl didn't walk a thousand miles to have her legs cut off. If she dies, she will die with her legs on."
The family moved to Brigham City to make their home and an elderly lady, Mrs. Snider, told them to get some fresh steak and wrap her feet in it and call her after three
days. Fresh meat was not available where they lived, so Mary's father walked 20 miles to Ogden, got a steak, and walked back. When the beefsteak was removed after three days, Mrs. Snider applied homemade ointment on Mary's legs and feet. Within a few days the rotten flesh dropped off. Mary was able to walk again in two years.After they arrived in the Valley, James and Eliza were asked how they felt about their ordeal. They were quick to reply, 'With all our trials, our weary traveling, burying our dear ones, piling our clothing and bedding by the wayside and setting fire to them, we have never once felt to murmur or complain or regret the steps we have taken."