James Douthit Tradewell was the eldest of eight children born to the Rev. Benjamin Franklin Tradewell and Eliza McKennedy Bird, both of South Carolina. He graduated from South Carolina College (now USC) and studied law in Columbia under Maxcy Gregg.

He became a prominent lawyer, captain of the Governor's Guards, and first elected mayor of Columbia; but he was well known to have been an insolent and belligerent alcoholic who challenged other men to duels. He was also an infamous slave-owner and anti-abolitionist who refused to take the oath of allegiance during Reconstruction. His granddaughter Ella Glass (Tew) Lindsay wrote of him, "I think Grandpa Tradewell was the best looking of all our progenitors and the least admirable."

James married first in 1832 to Elizabeth Christiana Boatwright and they had five children before Elizabeth died in 1854. He married second in 1856 to Sarah Emma McCaine and they had eight children. (See his profile in WikiTree for detailed biography and family information.)

Obituary published in the "Columbia Register" on 25 Nov 1880:

"The Hon. James D. Tradewell died at his residence on Senate street yesterday afternoon.

"The relatives, friends and acquaintances of Mr. and Mrs. James D. Tradewell, of Mr. and Mrs. P. B. Glass and of Mr. and Mrs. F. B. Fielding are respectfully invited to attend the funeral services of Mr. Tradewell at Trinity Church at 1 o'clock today.

"Attention, Governor's Guards! Assemble at your armory today at 12 M. in full uniform, with arms, to pay last tribute of respect to ex-Captain James D. Tradewell. By order: R.C. Wright, First Sergeant."

Burial notice published in the "Columbia Register" on 27 Nov 1880, pg. 4:

"The remains of the Honorable James D. Tradewell were interred in the family plot in the Washington Street Church yard Thanksgiving Day. The funeral services were conducted at Trinity."