James McBurnett was the oldest son of Daniel McBurnett and Esther Wadsworth McBurnett. His father, Daniel, fought in the Georgia Militia to rid the state of Georgia of British Patriots during tht Revolutionary War. Daniel was killed by Creek Indians in 1793 in south east Georgia.

Esther, his mother, was left a widow with three sons,James, Thomas and William who was just an infant at the time. It was not until 1803 that the preceedings for the settlement of the estate of Daniel McBurnett began in Wilkes/ Lincoln County Georgia. It drug on for over 6 years. James named his first born son after his father, Daniel, and he tried to assist his widowed mother in settlling his father's estate. James fought in the War of 1812. when he became ill with a fever and died in the military camp. His wife received his Military Pension for his service in the War of 1812.