James "Jim" Carter was a childhood friend of Ross Poldark who used to work at Wheal Grace until it was shut down by Francis Poldark.
Ross later gave him work at Nampara as his servant, because his lungs were too weak to continue working in mines. He married Jinny Martin and she fell pregnant. He was eventually sent to prison when he was caught poaching to feed his mother and sister. Ross spoke up for him at court, but he was still sent to prison for two years.[1]
In 1788, Ross heard that Jim was very ill and takes Dr Enys with him to bust him out of prison and heal him. Unfortunately, it was too late and Jim died that night. Through Jinny, he had a son, Benjamin Ross Carter, and a daughter, Katie Carter.[2]