Some researchers give his birth date as circa 1793, which seems too late for him to have been the Republican candidate for Congress in 1812. If he was indeed the fourth or fifth child of Peter and Elizabeth Turley, as their wills indicate, and their first child Mary was born circa 1780, then 1788 is the earliest conservative birth date possible. He would then be about age 24 when he ran for the legislature.

Believed to have been buried in the family cemetery on White Oak Creek. He is not known to have married, as his will and estate records show no wife or heirs other than his mother and sisters, so the description of the funeral being held at the home of Mrs. Turley is thought to refer to his mother.

He died between 12 April 1817 and 5 May 1817 from his will. By his father's will he received slaves, the land on the west side of Grahams Road on the waters of White Oak Creek, and a share of the furniture.

James Turley served in the war of 1812 in the 2nd Regiment
(McWillies) of the South Carolina Militia. He joined 6 October 1814 and was on the roll at Haddril Point. His discharge papers show he was released 5 March 1815 at Charleston, South Carolina which was listed as 156 miles from his home.68 He was at the estate sale of Thomas Creighton of Hanging Rock, perhaps a relative.

James Turley evidently took over and managed his father's plantation. He also owned one of his own, for in his will dated 5 April 1817 he bequeathed "the Land on which I live § plant" to his brother-in-law, Jesse Pope. The will was recorded 5 May 1817 at Beaver Creek. He left Bibles to other brothers-in-law, Robert Williams, John Jenkins, and Adin Tilmon [Tillman]. In a document recorded two weeks later he added a Bible for James Lowry. Also mentioned in the will were Jonathan Duren and John S. Elliott, who were to receive horses, and Nancy Hunt, who was to receive money due the estate in notes and open accounts. William McGill was to live on his land "where he now lives" the balance of his life without rent.
Peter Turley Sr. (d.Henry Co, VA) married Sarah Innes and had a daughter (Jane?) who married Owen Hunt (who witnessed the will of Col. Hugh Innes, Franklin Co, VA 1790/pr 1797). If Peter Turley Jr. was a brother of Mrs. Owen Hunt, then the Nancy Hunt mentioned in James Turley's will could be his first cousin.


Also in the will, James Turley specified that he wanted all his slaves freed, but legal complications caused twelve of them to remain as part of his estate and to be distributed as such. Jesse Pope eventually was appointed executor of the estate. In a law suit filed 22 January 1824 in Equity Court it was established that James had a sister, Frances Turley, who died under age. Twelve slaves were named and valued at $7,183.75. The notes and open accounts were listed at $1,707.52 1/2. Monroe Peach, William Gardner and Joseph Wimberly appraised the estate.
On 12 April 1817 James Turley stated that his mother was to inherit all the land from Peter Turley's estate that would have been his own, and at her death the land was to go to Jesse Pope.

The LW&T of James Turley, of Beaver Creek, Kershaw Co, recorded 28 May 1817, SC names the husbands of his sisters. On 1 Sept 1817 Adin Tillman (wife Rebecca) together with Robert Williams (wife Mary); James R Lowry; John Jenkins (wife Anna); and Jesse Pope (wife Margaret) sold to Isaac Knox 311 acres, one-third of the estate of James Turley divided among his sisters. Witness: Jacob Cole. (Kershaw Deeds I, 115-116.) The witness, Jacob Cole, was a deacon of the Baptist church.