James Barss was a ship owner, sea captain, merchant and political figure in Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...

. He represented Liverpool township in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly

Nova Scotia House of Assembly

The Nova Scotia Legislature, consisting of Her Majesty The Queen represented by the Lieutenant Governor and the House of Assembly, is the legislative branch of the provincial government of Nova Scotia, Canada...

 from 1830 to 1836.

He was born in Liverpool, Nova Scotia

Liverpool, Nova Scotia

Liverpool is a Canadian community and former town located along the Atlantic Ocean of the Province of Nova Scotia's South Shore. It is situated within the Region of Queens Municipality which is the local governmental unit that comprises all of Queens County, Nova Scotia...

, probably on February 2, 1783, the son of Joseph Barss

Joseph Barss (politician)

Joseph Barss was a mariner, merchant and political figure in Nova Scotia. He represented Liverpool township in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly from 1799 to 1811....

 and Elizabeth Crowell. In 1806, Barss married Elizabeth Collins. He died in Liverpool.

His brother John

John Barss

John Barss was from a large family in Liverpool, Nova Scotia, the son of Joseph Barss and Elizabeth Crowell...

 also served in the assembly. His brother Joseph

Joseph Barss

Joseph Barss was a sea captain of the schooner Liverpool Packet and was one of the most successful privateers on the North American Atlantic coast during the War of 1812.-Early life:...

was a well-known privateer.