James Blake Sr. was born on March 26, 1826 on the Isle of Ireland. The Province of Ulster, County of Armagh (Ahhhh-maw) (the Orchard County)in Northern Ireland. His parents were Thomas Blake and Ann Jane (or June) Chambers. In 1929 his father immigrated to Canada with his wife, bring 4 year old James and brother George. There may have been 3 to 4 children.

James about age 24-25 married Elizabeth Ann "Betty" Shannon who was also originally from Armagh County.

Their first home was in or near Alton, Caledon Township, Peel County, Ontario Canada. James was a farmer as was his father before him. It was in this 1st home that Elizabeth gave birth to their first four (4) children: Elizabeth Ann Blake born abt. 1853, John Blake born January 22, 1855, Martha Blake born November 5, 1857 and James Blake Jr. born on February 21, 1859.

In 1858, James moved his family west to live near Seaforth, in Tuckersmith Township of East Huron County, Ontario Canada. There Elizabeth "Betty" bore James three more children: Thomas George Blake born Jan 11, 1862, Solomon Valentine Blake on Valentine's Day, February 14, 1864 and Margaret Jane "Maggie" Blake on Aril 11, 1866.

James Sr. was a man that took part in his community, serving his community where he could. These activities encouraged his sons to likewise endeavors. John led troops in the Northwest rebellion that took place in Saskatchewan Province. John also became head of the sawmill in his community in Northern Bruce County of Ontario.
Son Thomas George served in the Canadian Forces for England and was decorated. He also became a member of the Canadian Mounted Police. Son Solomon Valentine followed his older brother George to serve as a Mounty. George in later years would serve on committees and represent his District (as did his father) when living in the United States on Lopez Island, Washington State.

James was a farmer, mostly an orchard grower. He passed on to his children the skills of farming as his father had trained him.

During his life James buried two wives and married three (3) times. The last marriage was annulled because his 3rd wife was notified she was a widow but after bearing James one child and another on the way, her husband returned from the war, very much alive. Still, James became the father of 13 children. His first wife, Elizabeth Ann "Betty" Shannon bearing him 7 children, his 2nd wife Hannah Lee bearing him 4 children and his marriage the 3rd time providing him with two (2) more children.

James made a home for his first wife in Alton, Caledon Twp., Peel County, Ontario, a home for his 2nd wife in the area of Wiarton/Colopy's Bay, Albemarle Twp., North Bruce County, Ontario. And after the issue of his 3rd marriage he moved his family to the United States. Purchasing and building a huge homestead of orchards, wheat and grain on the rich soil f Lopez Island in the Salish Sea of Puget Sound's San Juan Islands, off the coast of Washington State (San Juan County), USA.

In 1887 he had a farm and farmhouse to bring his youngest children by Hannah Lee to the United States. Later many of his older children would follow him and settle on Lopez Island with their family and children. Only the children of his 3rd marriage to Martha Armstrong would remain in Canada to be raised by their mother in Sarnia, Lambton, Ontario along with Martha's 8 children she bore her 1st husband Robert McLaughlin. Elizabeth, John and Margaret Jane "Maggie" would remain in Canada where they married and raised their families. It would be 2015 before the family of his son Victor Colonel Blake (raised in Sarnia) would meet the ancestor of the other 11 older children. Victor did meet some of his half siblings in Washington in his later years prior retirement in California.

James Blake Sr. immigrated with his parents at age 4 to Ontario, Canada (where he was educated, married 3 times and had 13 children) in 1824 he immigrated again in 1833 to the Washington, United States (where he became a citizen and was laid to rest).

He fathered 13 children, all born in Ontario Canada. Moved to Lopez Island in 1883 at about age 57 as a widower, purchased 170 acres for a fruit orchards, grain & hay. There he remained until his death from a stroke in his home garden (apoplexy), dying the next day.

James was honored and buried in the local cemetery of the Lopez Union Cemetery, Davis Bay Road, Lopez Island Plot 1 Plat M51 with a casket and stone.

He was preceded in death by his 1st wife Elizabeth Ann Shannon, his 2nd wife Hannah Lee, daughter Lillis Blake born Nov 7, 1881 who died on her honeymoon in Detroit, Michigan from accidental asphyxiation (both the bride & groom. They in error blew out the hotel gas light as if a kerosene lantern, not turning off the gas. Both died during the night).

James left behind son John Blake & Elizabeth Ann "Annie" Gawley; daughter Martha Blake, Mrs. John "Jack" Clancy; son James Blake Jr. & Susannah "Susie" Craig; son Thomas George Blake & Olive Theresa Murphy; son Solomon Valentine Blake & Thomasena Johnston; daughter Margaret Jane "Maggie" Blake/Mrs. Henry Norman Craig of Saskatchewan, Canada; daughter Thomasena "Sena" Blake/Mrs. Albert Edward Biggs; Henrietta "Etta" Blake-Davies/Mrs. Oscar Weeks; Mary Hannah Blake/Mrs. Thomas James Bell; son Fredrick Lee Blake & Ellen Elnore Glomop; son Victor Colonel Blake & Isabella "Isabel" Porter. Also he left behind 36 grandchildren (6 infant grandchildren preceded him in death)
His daughter Elizabeth Ann Blake is not accounted for but 12 of his 13 children lived to adulthood and prospered.

James Blake Sr. was a hard working farmer. He had been taught by his father who was from the "Orchard County" of Armagh Northern Ireland (pronounced Ahh Maw). Raised in Canada his home was refined and cultured.

From knowing many of his children you are aware that he was successful, educated and raised in the Church of England becoming a Bible Christian.

His first wife was described as 'an estimable lady', his 2nd wife was said to be of cultured and worth. He became quite close to his 2nd wife's father, James Lee, who was well educated, a teacher in his church's schools, leader and instructor of the church's choir, founder of many of the Orangemen's Lodges across Ontario, Canada. It was James Lee's move from Albemarle Twp., N. Bruce, Ont. to the San Juan Islands, in Washington USA that drew James to follow him and also move to the San Juan Islands to live.

James Blake Sr. serves his constituents in Canada, also served as a member of the Council of his district. He was known to serve his duties with uprightness and good judgment. This characteristics were carried on by his sons. They also became involved in their community serving as members and active in local leadership. Some served in Canada as young men in the Armed Forces of the Canadian Army for England. Two of his sons became Canadian Mounted Police in Ontario.

On Lopez Island his orchards thrived with 100 prune, 250 apple trees besides cherry trees. In 2015 his old homestead farm is the location of Lopez Vineyards who sell an excellent wine over Washington State and served in restaurants in Seattle, Wash.

He left a legacy to his decedents who honored him annual at a Family picnic beginning well before WWI and into 2015.