George and Diana Derbyshire lived in the small area which straddled the county boundaries of Derbyshire and Cheshire. Their eldest three children were said to have been born in Mellor, Derbyshire whilst the youngest seven were born in Marple, Cheshire.

James Derbyshire was their eldest son and we have yet to find his birth certificate or a record of his baptism. It appears that he was born in about 1848.

"King Cotton" played a big part in his life and work. James was a self-made man who worked his way up from working in the cotton mill to being a cashier and then the manager of a cotton factory in Compstall, Cheshire. He took full advantage to better the prospects for himself and his family.