James was the eldest son of
Sir Henry Talbot and his wife Margaret Talbot. His father owned land around
Templeogue, County Dublin. His mother was the third daughter of
Sir William Talbot, 1st Baronet of
Carton, County Kildare, and his wife Alison Netterville. He was the brother of
William Talbot, also a Jacobite commander. Due to the influence of his uncle
Richard Talbot, 1st Earl of Tyrconnell, James II's
viceroy in Ireland, James Talbot was given the command of a regiment in the Irish Army with the rank of
colonel, although some sources refer to him as a
Brigadier. == Marriage and children ==