James Colless was born 25 February 1821 in Upper Castlereagh, New South Wales, Australia to George Colless (c1771-1851) and Anne Goodwin (1780-1853) and died 14 June 1901 Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia of unspecified causes. He married Sarah Shute (1833-1916) 11 October 1848 St Andrews in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Children
| Name | Birth | Death | Joined with |
| Elijah Colless (1849-1932) | |||
| Ellen Colless (1853-?) | |||
| Matilda Colless (1854-1917) | |||
| James Colless (1857-1932) | |||
| George Edgar Colless (1859-1860) | |||
| Jessie Colless (1861-1863) | |||
| John Colless (1863-1924) | |||
| Jessie Colless (1866-?) | |||
| Australia Colless (1869-?) | |||
| Etheleen Colless (1872-?) | |||
| Selina Colless (1875-?) | |||
| Emily Colless (1878-?) | |||