James Longhurst (Sr.) was born in July 7,1816 in Dorking Capel Surrey England.

His parents were Joseph Longhurst and Sarah Haysman.

James (Sr.) and Flora married in England, prior to emigration.

James and Flora had seven children : Esther (born June 24, 1838), Sarah (born January 3, 1840), Mary Ann (born September 22, 1842), Flora (born September 21, 1843), Christiana (born October 7, 1846), Archibald John (born October 14, 1848) and James (Jr., born September 10, 1850) - all born in King Township.

James and Flora emigrated to Canada in 1832 with James' father, mother and siblings. James was recorded in the baptismal register of his children, taken by the Markham Circuit Primitive Methodists, as being a "labourer".