James Mayes was born about 1788 in Georgia and came to Tennessee in 1816. He married Polly Sparks, who was a native of Georgia, and our subject was born to them December 16, 1814. He resided on his parents’ farm until twenty-one years of age and then began farming on his own responsibility, and has continued very successfully up to the present date. He served the people of his district in the capacity of constable for six years, being first elected in 1840, and in 1852 was elected to the same office for two years. Since that time he has farmed exclusively and has accumulated a good property through his own exertions.
Anna Catner became his wife, January 4, 1848, and this union has resulted in ten children, seven of whom are living: Mary E. (Mrs. J. D. Blackwell), Eliza J. (Mrs. W. R. Woodard), William W., John A., Martha A. (Mrs. J. A. Woodard), James L. and Harriett F. Mr. Mayes is a man of great decision of character and is strictly honest and exact in his business transactions. He and Mrs. Mayes are members of the Christian Church and he supports the Democratic party.
Transcribed by Kathryn Hopkins
Goodspeed Publishing Co. History of Tennessee from the Earliest Time to the Present: Together with an Historical and a Biographical Sketch of Maury, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson, Bedford & Marshall Counties, Besides a Valuable Fund of Notes, Reminescences [Sic], Observations, Etc., Etc. Easley, S.C.: Southern Historical Press, 1988.