James Sturgill was the third generation of the family to live in Virginia, following his grandfather, John Stodgell, who hailed from North Petherton, Somerset, England and arrived in Virginia in 1650 and his father, also John Stodgell.

James Sturgill was born c1700, likely in Essex County, Virginia, where his father appears on the 1704 Quit Rent Rolls. His mother may be Ann Madison, based on the Madison wills that may have bequeathed lands to both Daniel and James Stodgell.

James was likely born in Essex County and probably married Ann Blackstone, c1723, there, too.  However, the family removed to Orange County, Virginia in the early 1730s and James appears as a tithable there in 1739:

FHL Film 7856139, Image 457, unpaged
Source: FamilySearch

He died there intestate in 1753 with Ann surviving him.

Inventory of James Stodgill
Orange County, VA Will Book 2:185-186
Source: FamilySearch

James’s and Ann’s children have been pieced together via land deeds and their residences in Orange County, Virginia.

Children:

1. James, born c1725; died c1803, Ashe County, North Carolina; married Ann Callaway, c1748. Ambrose recorded a gift of land to his brother James in 1753.
2. Ambrose, born c1730; married Sarah Crostwait, c1733; removed to Montgomery County, Virginia
3. Elizabeth, born c1735; married John Hash Sr., c1763, probably Montgomery County, Virginia
4. John, born c1740; married Elizabeth Harvey, c1765. He removed to Greenbrier County, Virginia and then Kentucky. Ambrose recorded a gift of land to his brother John in 1753.
5. Mary, born c1745; married William Herring; removed to Wilkes County, North Carolina. In 1763, William and Mary Herring sold land to her brother, James Stodgill.
6. Joel, born c1750; died before 14 September 1795, Elbert County, Georgia; married Martitia Oliver. Joel was first bound to Elizabeth Stodgill in 1763, but in 1767, at his request, he was bound to Joseph Mann to learn the trade of leather britches maker.