Details of James's birth are not known.

James married Jane Ambrose on Wednesday 27 July 1785 in Wigan, Lancashire.

He had the following children from his marriage to Jane Ambrose:

- John Ashcroft	born on 8 January 1786 in Wigan.
- Mary Ashcroft	born around 1787.
- Jenny Ashcroft	born around 1793.
- James Ashcroft	born around 1795.
- William Ashcroft	born around 1798.
- Martha Ashcroft	born on 3 July 1799 in Wigan.

Details of James's occupation are not known.