He was baptised on 24 September 1833 at St John of Jerusalem in South Hackney.
The 1861 census for Crabtree Row, Bethnal Green shows :-
James Jacobs aged 28, a wheelwright who was born in Hackney
Jane his wife aged 28, who was born in Middlesex
Jane E his daughter aged 5, a scholar who was born in Bethnal Green
Elizabeth M his daughter aged 2 who was born in Bethnal Green
Alice his daughter aged 3 months who was born in Bethnal Green
The 1871 census for 339 Kingsland Road, Hackney shows
James Jacobs aged 37, a perambulator maker who was born in Hackney
Mary his wife aged 40 who was born in Shoreditch
Jane his daughter aged 15 who was born in Shoreditch
Elizabeth his daughter aged 12 who was born in Shoreditch
Alice his daughter aged 10 who was born in Shoreditch
Edith his daughter aged 7 who was born in Shoreditch
George Woodcock his father in law, a widower aged 76 who was born in the City of London.
The 1881 census for Horseshoe Place, Enfield, Middlesex shows the following :-
James Jacobs aged 47, a licensed victualler who was born in Hackney
Mary his wife aged 50, a licensed victualler who was born in Hackney
Alice S. his daughter aged 20 who was born in Bethnal Green
Edith M, his daughter aged 17 who was born in Shoreditch.
In 1901 living at 55 Matthias Road, Islington RG13/197/ page 6
James Jacobs aged 65, a perambulator maker born in Hackney
Mary Jacobs, his wife aged 50 born in Hackney (should be aged 70)
London City Directories show James as a perambulator maker with his business at 339 Kingsland Road (between Shoreditch and Bethnal Green) in the years 1863-1875.
James, listed as a perambulator maker of 749 Matthias Road, Islington, died in 1906 aged 74. E. M. Pepper, daughter of 4 Lismore Road, Tottenham registered the death.