James was a prosperous planter of Virginia. He received Patent 690 acres in 1742
90 acres were added in Fairfax Parish, Va. signed by Lord Fairfax. Plantation was known as "Pleasant
Green" located five miles east of Fairfax C.H. near Burks Station. It is believed he was descended from a
near kinsman, probably a paternal uncle, of Sir Edmund Halley (1656-1741) the noted mathematician, and the
astronomer who first accurately named the orbit of the comet that bears his name.
