James Lewis (born 1723 in Northern Ireland, came to New Hanover County, NC with his parents and siblings in 1736) left home early in life and went to Brunswick County (c.1745) to seek his fortune. He married soon thereafter, obtained a grant of land, and settled there. On 7/29/1746 he married Hannah Brownluff in Craven County, SC, and they had two sons - both named James, Jr.

The elder James, Jr. was called James, while the younger James, Jr. called himself James "Simeon" Lewis or sometimes just Simeon Lewis.

James Lewis, Sr. moved his family to Marion County, SC before the Revolutionary War, then returned to Brunswick County after the war. James, Sr. and the elder James, Jr. both enlisted in the Revolutionary War and served for its duration. James Lewis, Sr. died in 1795 in Brunswick County, NC.