James was the son of James Hessey (gent.) who had
purchased a commission as
quartermaster for the
43rd Foot Regiment in 1773. Having fought for the British in the
American War of Independence, he left the Army in 17780 and died in 1786, shortly after his sons birth. James's guardians sent him to
Burton Grammar School. However, in 1803 he was taken on by
James Lackington as an apprentice in the 'Temple of the Muses' Bookstore where he met John Taylor, the two men developing a firm friendship. ==References==