Native of Fairfield District, SC, came to Navasota, TX in 1850. James died at the dinner table of a sudden stroke about 1879, (interesting: the 1880 census says he was still alive) he gave generously to the community but died a poor man. (the year of his stroke was a 'guestimate' according to a family cousin)
His father was David Nolan born in 1756 in Fredrick County Virginia, moved to Fairfield County South Carolina, then on to Macon County Alabama. His father David was living with James on the 1850 Macon Co., Alabama census. He was a widower. David's wife was Nancy MNU and died between 1840 and 1850
Contributor: Dolores Wagner (49338082)

In the 1870 census he was still running the family farm with slave labor. His slaves all carried the Nolan name.

1880 census he was living in the household of J.B. Clarke

Name: James Nolan
Residence: Grimes, Texas
Birthdate: 1807
Birthplace: South Carolina, United States
Relationship to Head: Grandfather
Spouse's Name:
Spouse's Birthplace:
Father's Name:
Father's Birthplace: South Carolina, United States
Mother's Name:
Mother's Birthplace: South Carolina, United States
Race or Color (Expanded): White
Ethnicity (Standardized): American
Gender: Male
Martial Status: Widowed
Age (Expanded): 73 years
Occupation:
NARA Film Number: T9-1308
Page: 188
Page Character: A
Entry Number: 2349
Film number: 1255308
Household Gender Age Birthplace
SELF J.B. Clarke M 36 Mississippi, United States
WIFE S.J. Clarke F 25 Texas, United States
SON J.J. Clarke M 8 Texas, United States
DAU D.B. Clarke F 7 Texas, United States
DAU Lodie Clarke F 4 Texas, United States
DAU S.L. Clarke F 3 Texas, United States
SON L.N. Clarke M 1 Texas, United States
James Nolan M 73 South Carolina, United States
W.J. Mahan M 19 Texas, United States