Admiral Sir James Wallace (1731–6 March 1803) was an officer of the Royal Navy.

Promoted to post-captain, Wallace was given command of the sixth-rate HMS Rose in November 1771.

In 1774 Wallace set sail in Rose for North America where he was to be based.

On 24 September 1779 Wallace and his ship Experiment along with 20 British officers and 30,000 pounds worth of silver were captured by Sagittaire off Hilton Head.

The Royal Navy Man of War HMS Experiment had lost her masts and bowsprit in a gale while she was on her way from New York to Savannah...Also on board was Major General Garth, who was supposed to replace Maj. Gen. Augustine Prevost as commander in Savannah...At 3:45 pm, the Experiment spotted three large sails in the distance.

Sir James Wallace, the captain of the Experiment, tried to put as much distance between him and the unknown ships as he could.

At 8 pm that night, the unknown ships hoisted the French colors and closed with the Experiment.

[7] In April 1782 he was in the West Indies serving under Admiral Rodney at the Battle of the Saintes.

[10] On 12 April 1794, Wallace was promoted to rear-admiral of the white and appointed commander-in-chief and governor of Newfoundland.

In August 1796 Wallace's leadership successfully defended St. John's against a French squadron of seven ships and three frigates and raised a militia known as "Skinner's Fencibles".

The will also mentions Frances Sleigh (who is later buried with James and his uncle her presumed father) and her children .