James Gillespie (1747 – January 10, 1805) was an American lawyer, politician, and Revolutionary War veteran from North Carolina.

The Biographical Directory of the United States Congress incorrectly gives his birthplace as Kenansville, North Carolina, which did not exist at the time of his birth.

He was educated at the University of Dublin[7] and immigrated to New Bern, North Carolina, from Ireland with two of his brothers, Archibald and Borthick Gillespie.

[8] His brother Archibald was a prominent citizen of Onslow County and was issued a commission of the peace and dedimus by the governor in 1777.

[13] James Gillespie purchased a plantation known as "Golden Grove" located one mile east of Kenansville before the start of the Revolutionary War.

[4] Gillespie was appointed as captain of the 1st Battalion of Volunteers and the Duplin County Regiment of the North Carolina militia during the American Revolutionary War.

[1] Powell's Dictionary of North Carolina Biography mentions Gillespie was a Federalist during his time as congressman.

[14] His family owned a large amount of land in the lower Cape Fear region of North Carolina in Duplin County.

His son David fought in the War of 1812, was a member of the House of Commons from Bladen County, and was also a councilor of state.