James Blount was a planter, justice of the peace, and soldier in Chowan County. He served as a Lt. Col. of the Chowan County Regiment of the North Carolina Militia from 1775-1778 before being promoted to Colonel for the remainder of the war. He was also a clerk for the Chowan County court. In 1777 and 1778 he signed a series of oaths swearing his allegiance to the State of North Carolina and promised to report any treasonous conspiracies that might threaten North Carolina's independence.