James was the son of Little Berry Croley and Winifred Elizabeth Foley Lay. He married Lucinda Vanderpool, May 1870 in Knox County, and they had at least nine children. After Lucinda's death in 1899, he married Francis Minnie "Myrtle" Brassfield, in January 1904 in Whitley County, KY, and they had at least six children.

Home in 1860: Campbell, Tennessee (1 Jun)
Berry Crowly, 53, TN, Farmer
Winnie Crowly, Wife, 35, TN
Paragoda Crowly, Dau, 14, TN
Jane Crowly, Dau, 13, TN
Nancy Crowly, Dau, 11, TN
Mary Crowly, Dau, 9, TN
**James Crowly, Son, 7, TN
John Crowly, Son, 5, TN
Wymer Crowly, Son, 3, TN
Thomas Crowly, Son, 1, TN

Home in 1870: Knox, Kentucky (1 Jun)
Andrew Croley, 34, KY
James M Croley, 16, TN
Lucinda Croley, 14, KY

Home in 1880: Poplar Creek, Knox, Kentucky (1 Jun)
James M. Croley, 27, TN-Y-N, Farmer
Lucindy Croley, 26, KY-VA-TN
John Croley, 8, KY
William Croley, 7, KY
Daniel A. B. Croley, 4, KY
Nancy J. Croley, 2, KY

Home in 1900: Williamsburg, Whitley, Kentucky (1 Jun)
James M Craley, 46, Sep 1853, TN-KY-TN, Married 29 years, Farmer
L Berry Craley, Son, 21, Aug 1878, KY, Medical Student
Winnie Craley, Dau, 17, Aug 1882, KY
Amanda Craley, Dau, 14, Jun 1885, KY
Martha Craley, Dau, 11, May 1889, KY
Lilly Craley, Dau, 5, Jan 1895, KY

Home in 1910: Court House, Whitley, Kentucky (15 Apr)
James M Croley, 55, TN-KY-TN, Third Marriage, Current marriage 6 years, Merchant
Myrtle Croley, Wife, 25, KY-KY-KY, First marriage, Children 1/1
Lilian Croley, Dau, 16, KY
J Frank Croley, Son, 5, KY

1910 Kentucky State Census:
Location: Williamsburg, Whitley
James M Croley, 55, TN
Myrtle, Wife, 25, KY
Lilian, Dau, 16, KY
J Frank, Son, 5, KY

Home in 1920: Williamsburg, Whitley, Kentucky (1 Jan)
James M Croley, 65, TN-KY-N, Farmer
Myrtle Croley, Wife, 35, K-KY-KY
James F Croley, Son, 15, KY
Thomas C Cooley, Son, 7, KY
Linauy Cooley, Son, 3 & 9/12th, KY

Home in 1930: Crab Orchard, Lincoln, Kentucky (1 Apr)
J M Crowley, 75, TN, Age first married 49, Farmer
Myrtle Crowley, Wife, 45, KY, Age first married 19
Liona Crowley, Son, 15, KY
Louise Crowley, Dau, 9, KY

Kentucky Death Certificate #10074:
Name: James Merlin Crowley
Death Date: 7 Apr 1944
Death Location: Stanford, Lincoln, Kentucky
Age: 92
Birth Date: 29 Sep 1851
Birth Location: Whitley, Kentucky
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's name: Myrtle Crowley
Father's name: Blank
Mother's name: Winnie Lay
Mother's Birth Location: Kentucky
Informant: Lindsey Crowley
Burial: Williamsburg

Cemetery Records: Rev J. M. Croley, b. 29 Sep 1852 - d. 7 Apr 1944.