I did say I would write of my great-grandfather, Joseph Keith James, on the occasion of his birthday as well. He was born on May 14, 1859 - 155 years ago, today.

He was born just three years after the establishment of Munro College (really a high school, based on the English grammar school system, for those not accustomed to our educational system) and became one of that first generation of students to attend the school.

Incidentally, the institution was known for some years as Potsdam School (based on its location) until it had a name change to honour its founding benefactor, Robert Hugh Munro.

Joseph became a teacher and was appointed principal of Sandy Bank Elementary School (now Sandy Bank Primary School) in his early adulthood. The elementary school, I am told, was on the site of what is now the Sandy Bank Basic School.

He later left the classroom and became postmaster, operating from an office that in later years served as a grocery shop, operated by Mr. Johnson Buchanan, across the road from the police station. That building survived for many decades and was demolished sometime in the 1990s, if I recall correctly.

Joseph James was destined; it seemed, to play an integral role in the lives of the people of this community, in one way or the other. Initially, he was their teacher and head master, then, as postmaster, one of his responsibilities was to register the birth of their children. If you research the birth of your ancestors, born in this community in the 1880s/1890s, therefore, you are likely to find the signature of Postmaster Joseph James on their birth record.

One of those born in 1896 was a boy named Norman Moxam. As a young man, he married Alice James, daughter of Joseph and Martha Elizabeth Parchment James. Regrettably, Granny Alice died long before I was born, but I had the good fortune of knowing and enjoying the presence of Grandpa Norman in my life for 16 years, until his passing in 1979, at age 83.

There are a few other ways in which my life and that of my ancestor Joseph (Joe Keet) James intersected. I had the good fortune to attend his alma mater, Munro College, and continue to benefit from that character forming experience. But, here’s the most interesting and amusing piece of linkage that I’ve found:

A few years ago, I came across a story in the Gleaner newspaper, written exactly 100 years ago, in 1914. The story featured a case in the Malvern court, in which Joseph James and Thomas Parchment (no relation to Martha Parchment) were seeking to have a dispute resolved. Try as I might, I was not able to find a follow-up story to learn how the matter was settled. It is of some significance to me; however, that, 71 years later, in 1985, I married Winsome, the grand-daughter of Thomas Parchment.

Now, I have no idea how my great-grandfather and her grandfather would have reacted to this union, but I sure have a lot of fun dreaming up various scenarios!

How is Robert James related to Joseph James?
When did the Primary School move to its present location?

It is around 1965. Someone else may be more specific

Robert Keith James and Robert B James are both my grandfathers. One my paternal grandfather and the other my maternal grandfather. They are supposedly not related, but I am sure they are connected somehow. My opinion is that there was some dispute that split the James family in Pedro many years ago and the split was never mended. There are many splinter group of James in and around Pedro who disown relationship.

James seems to have been the most popular name in Treasure Beach in the 1800s. Like Ray, my siblings and I (Earl included) had two grandmothers with the surname James, as well: Alice James -- daughter of Joseph Keith James; and Margaret James -- daughter of...gee I'm drawing a blank on her father's first name now, but her mother's name was Ellen Gordon, who married the Mr. James whose first name currently eludes me. There were/are so many different strains of 'em!

Does anyone have any pictures of Joseph Keith James and his family they are willing to upload onto this site? I would love to see them. Thanks in advance.

He is my great grandfather.

Marcia is the name you are looking for Robert?

Earl Moxam!

If I have my date right, I think I am the Great Great Grandson of the same Thomas Parchment you mention in your post.

I tried to google for the gleaner article you mention with no luck.

You said your wife was his granddaughter. To help me clarify if this is the same Thomas Parchment, do you know if he had a Daughter called Florence Maud Parchment (born 2 September 1888) who married Albert Edward Deleon on the 27 November 1912?