Son of Humphrey Kent Burdett and Isabella Woodall. Born in the Pendleton District, South Carolina. Sibling to: Daniel Humphrey, Frances (Frankey) John, Thomas Samuel, Humphrey M., Henry, Isabella, Nancy, Susannah (Susan) Martha J., Sarah Ann and Margarett Rosa Caroline Burdett.

James W., was a husband to Alice Falkner and father to: William Wesley, Benjamin Apling, Franklin, Earlincer, Heflin, Samuel Monroe, Littleton J., Frances B., James Alfred and Wilson Burdett.

He is listed as Head of Household on the 1850 and 1860 Federal Census for Randolph County, Alabama, as a Farmer with his wife and children.

During the Civil War, James remained home, and served in Capt. Jefferson Falkner's Home Guards.

James' final resting place is unknown. A death date, via LDS (10 Jan 1868) has not been confirmed, and it's origin is unknown. That date is not present in one particular Burdett Bible.

Additional Burdett family researchers in Texas, stated that James moved to Texas as a widower, with his son Benjamin's family in the autumn of 1865. They arrived in Smith County, Texas in December of the same year. There were also related Hood and Falkner families in the wagon train. There is no confirmation that James left Alabama, or that he may have died enroute to Texas, or after they arrived. Any confirmation would always be appreciated.

Two additional children are not linked below. Littleton Jesse Burdett is buried in the Washington Confederate-Rose Hill Cemetery in Hagerstown, Washington County, Maryland. He died of wounds incurred from the Battle of Antietam. One other son is Samuel Monroe Burdett. He is buried in the Leipers Fork Cemetery in Williamson County, Tennessee, and assumed the name of John Burdett following the close of the Civil War.