James served in the New Jersey Volunteers, 10th Regiment, Company C during the Civil War. Later he worked as a stationary fireman in Bordentown NJ and lived with his family at 34 Thompson St. He is buried with other family members in the Groveville Methodist Churchyard in Mercer Co NJ.
In 1870 in Groveville, James, Agnes and baby Andrew were next door to Aaron Pearson and wife Nancy.
In the NJ state census 1885, James & family are in the 3rd Ward in Bordentown. In the household is Ellen Gumenger age 20-60 and Joseph Gumenger age 5 to 20. They are listed as boarders.
In the city directory for 1889, 90 the family's address is given as McKnights' Alley, Bordentown.
1890 veterans census, James Nelson, Bordentown, ed 81.
NJ census 1895: Bordentown page 53, family 355/353. James is head of household with Andrew, both are between 20-60 years of age. Between 5-20 are Ella, Lena, Mary, Charlie, Howard, Henry, Eliza. Gussie is 0-5.
In 1900 they are at 23 Thompson Street, Bordentown. Household includes the widowed James and his children Andrew, Lena, Howard, Henry, Eliza, Ella Lawson & her son James, Mary Carter & her son William H, and Gussie Nelson, granddaughter.
