A respected cabinetmaker... specializing in carvings, gilding, looking glasses and picture frames... per an advertisement published in The City Gazette and Daily Advertiser September 27, 1799
--
Sacred to the memory of
JAMES WRIGHT COTTEN
Who departed this life on the 28th of April A.D. 1816 in the 57th year of his age. He resided in the city of Charleston and removed to Abbeville District with his family a few months before his death. In life he sustained an unimpeachable character for the fulfilment of all social duties for honesty and industry; and died
in the purest of the esteem of all who knew him. He has left a wife and eight children who mourn their irreparable loss......
--
Name: J W Cotton
Home in 1810 (City, County, State):
St Thomas and St Dennis, Charleston, South Carolina
Free White Persons - Males - Under 10: 2
Free White Persons - Males - 16 thru 25: 2
Free White Persons - Males - 26 thru 44 : 2
Free White Persons - Females - Under 10: 4
Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 15: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 16 thru 25: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 26 thru 44: 1
Numbers of Slaves: 26
--
Source Citation: Author: South Carolina. Probate Court (Charleston County); Probate Place: Charleston, South Carolina
At the time James wrote his will he was living in the Parish of Saint James Santee, South Carolina.

Wife was pregnant at the time James Wright Cotten wrote his will in 1813