James was about 7 when his mother died (Elizabeth is thought to have died in childbirth). This may have influenced his decision to move overseas. James  had a choice to migrate to Australia, South Africa or Michigan and choose the later.  At the age of 21 James migrated to the US in 1899 on board the ship SS Campania which left Liverpool on 8 Apr 1899 and arrived at New York on 15 Apr 1899. His shipping record is given below. The 1900 US Census reveals that James was staying with his cousin William John Sampson. Perhaps communication with his cousin was an influence on James moving to Michigan.

Their marriage took place in the home of Clara’s parents in Franklin Township. At the time of marriage Thomas was residing in Quincy Township. After marriage James and Clara settled in the small mining town called Franklin Mine, which is near Hancock. James was determined that his sons not mine for a living. So in 1924 James moved with his sons to Flint, Michigan where they obtained work at the Buick car factory. It is not known how long it took them to obtain work at that factory.They probably stayed some time in this area to make sure the jobs were going to be steady.When they went back for Clara and the two girls Clarissa and Noal it was a very big move for them. They loaded everything they owned onto the train. Their furniture, dishes, clothes and even the family car went on the train (It was thought that the upper peninsula roads were not good at that time.).When they arrived at the Straits of Mackinaw, the train had to be put on a boat to cross to the lower peninsula and then they came the rest of the way by rail.
The move was especially difficult for Clara. She had never lived in a city the size of Flint. She told James that many funeral processions had passed their house that day.  She was worried that something was making people sick and killing them. Come to find out, there was a traffic light not too far down their street and it was what caused the groups of cars to pass on and off all day. She was also very distrustful of the telephone. One day someone was on her line (they had 2 and 3 party lines). She thought someone was spying on her. James T. had problems like this to deal with every day after work for a while. He was always very tolerant and supportive of Clara.  She was a dedicated wife and mother. They were married about 49 years. Very often when they were sitting they were holding hands. James with a twinkle in his eye.