There is conflicting information regarding James Macklin's birthplace. A family history says Ireland, his son's obituary states Glasgow, Scotland. However family lore always refers to his Scottish heritage. (US Federal Census records state he was born in Ireland.)

The family biography says "he was residing in Glenagoorland, Ireland in 1836 when he married Margaret Thompson. (Documented in Donagheady Northern Ireland records) To them were born in Ireland three of their four daughters. By 1838 the family migrated to America except the oldest daughter, Mary Jane, who was left with her mother's people, the Thompsons. James & Margaret settled in the town of Greenwich, NY, on the farm now owned by the grandson of James Chester Macklin. It is the first farm north of Cossayuna hamlet, on the east side of the lake. When Mary Jane came to America in 1850 and asked to see her mother's grave, her father could not remember the location. Mary Jane and her sisters were much displeased with this callousness and they and their families had little to do with James thereafter. After their mother's death, the three little daughters then in America were taken in care, or perhaps adopted by neighbors. They moved with these people to Samonauk, Illinois or near there.

After the death of his wife, James returned to Ireland and there married Eliza McKane, a cousin of his first wife. He returned to Greenwich and soon purchased the farm on the west side of the lake, now the Lightbody place. After his death it was long occupied by his son, David who made a home for his mother. The farm included the peninsula now known as The Oaks. It was until near the end of the nineteenth century covered with a dense forest and was for half century know as Macklin's Point. James and his second wife are buried in the South Argyle Churchyard. The family were Gaelic Irish and of the Associate Church.

The children of James Macklin and Margaret Thompson were:

Mary Jane Macklin McClarty b. 1831; Sarah Macklin Nelson b. 1834; Margaret Macklin McClellan b. 1836; and Eliza Macklin Hopkins b. 1839.

The children of James Macklin and Eliza McKane were:

James b. 1845; John b. 1846; Thomas b. 1847; Robert 1848; Edward 1848; Andrew 1850; Martha Macklin Ferguson b. 1853; David 1857; Emma Macklin McIntyre b. 1860."

Taken from the Macklin Family History, 1951. (From Greenwich Library records) Writer is James & Eliza Macklin's 2nd Great Granddaughter.

James' brother Robert Macklin, memorial #70827386, in Shabbona, Illinois.

Note: There is a supposed photo of James Macklin on ancestry.com & Family Tree. There is no verification of its origin. I have not seen any verified photos of him or most of his family.