John and James first appeared in Lloyd's Register in 1796 with W. Radden, master, Margetson & Co., owners, and trade London–Jamaica.

[1] Her first role appears to have been to carry some officers and passengers to Jamaica, among them Colonel John Moore who was going out to join Admiral Hugh Cloberry Christian and Lieutenant-General Sir Ralph Abercromby's expedition to the West Indies.

[6] EIC voyage (1798–1800): On 17 February 1798 John and James, Captain Stafford Palmer, sailed to Bombay.

[3][7] On her return from India, John and James became a slave ship sailing from Liverpool.

Lloyd's Register for 1801 shows her with S. Irwin, master, changing to Blackey, Forbes & Co., owner, and trade Liverpool−Africa.

[2] Third slave voyage (1803−1805): War with France had resumed and Captain James Barr acquired a letter of marque on 30 May 1803.

[4] In August 1806 Lloyd's List reported that it was believed that John and James had been lost around Cape Horn.

[4] The Morning Post of 3 December 1807 carried an advertisement seeking witnesses to the sinking of John and James in January 1806.