I (Marty Grant) am a 1st cousin 6 times removed of James Stroud and a 2nd cousin 5 times removed to Naomi Stroud.

James Stroud was born ca 1804/05 (per 1850 census) in Burke (now McDowell) Co, NC in the North Muddy Creek region. James was called "Little Jim" by family to distinguish him from his older (slightly older) cousin James A. Stroud (1800/04) who was called "Big Jim".

James Stroud is probably a son of David Stroud (c1777) and his first wife, but that is not proven.  David did have an apparent son James' age with him in the 1810 through 1830 census, who was gone from his household by 1840. This fits perfectly with James who married ca 1836 in Burke County, and later moved to Tennessee. There were only two men in Burke County who could have been James' father (per census analysis), and that was Peter Stroud Jr and David Stroud. Peter Stroud Sr had a proven son named James, but that was "Big Jim". That only leaves David as a suspect. It is entirely possible that I have the two James Strouds mixed up, as to which one belongs to Peter Jr and which one belongs to David. I'm not 100% sure I have it right, but I'm reasonably sure. Both of them named sons "Peter" and neither named a son "David".

For the 1810 census, James would have been about 5 years old, and David Stroud did have an apparent son age "under 10" (born ca 1800/10).

For the 1820 census, James would have been about 15 years old, and David Stroud did have an apparent son age 16-17 (born ca 1802/04) which is close, but not a perfect match (but then again we don't know James' exact birth date).

For the 1830 census, James would have been about 25 years old, and David Stroud did have an apparent son age 20-29 (born ca 1800/10).

James Stroud married Naomi Stroud sometime before ca 1836 in Burke (now McDowell) County. Naomi (also known as "Omy") was born ca 1809/10 in Tennessee (probably Dickson County). I strongly believe that Naomi was a daughter of Ecclesiastes "Echolds" Stroud (c1785) and Mary ---. I'll explain my reasoning for this. First of all, Echolds did have an apparent daughter her age, and he did live in the same area with the rest of the Strouds. Also, when James and Omy left North Carolina for Roane County, Tennessee, Echolds and family went with them suggesting a close family unit. There is no direct evidence that she is Echolds child, but it seems to be the only and most likely possibility. Echolds was in Dickson County, Tennessee around 1810 when Naomi was born, and then they all returned to Burke County, NC by 1820, so it all fits very well.

James and Naomi were mentioned in a family letter dated 3 Sep 1837 from James and Rebecca (Stroud) Mashburn of Muddy Creek written to her (Rebecca's) brother John Stroud and wife Delilah of Murray County, Georgia. In the letter this was stated:

"Little Jim & Amy live in your old house now but it is expected that he will sell out in a few days to Robert Stroud & George Mashburn if they can agree."

This little tidbit was all that was said in that letter, but another letter (same parties) dated 11 Dec 1838 stated a few more things about them:

"Your letter stated something about James Stroud sale of land. I can in form you that his land was executed and sold at Morgantown all his claims for two hundred and seventy eight dollars and it was said that he was broke. But he married Omy Stroud and left our parts. Some sade he run away, he carried too horses and prity smart of money, and left me one hundred and sevety or eighty dollars to pay, by going his security. I can in form you that Ecles Stroud and family went with him. [skipped some text]. The sale of James Stroud was forced by my self and others."

The above two letters tell us several interesting things which help to clarify some of the other records I've found. One is that James Stroud (or "Little Jim") married "Omy Stroud" and then moved away or "run away" leaving debts and bad feelings behind.

An Estate record was found in Burke County dated 19 Aug 1837 for James Stroud deceased, with James Stroud and James Mashburn Administrators. This record was very confusing until finding the 1838 letter. This shows that the estate of James Stroud ("Little Jim") was forced to be sold by James Stroud ("Big Jim") and James Mashburn (who was author of the 1838 letter). Although the estate record said that James was deceased, that was just a typo I suppose. He was not deceased, just gone from the county and state. Under the law, the largest creditor could become administrator of an estate, and in this case it appears to have been his cousins James Stroud ("Big Jim") and James Mashburn. (Burke County, North Carolina Inventory and Estates 1832-1838).

These letters also show that James' wife "Omy" was also a Stroud, and that when they left the state, "Ecles" (Echolds) Stroud went with them, strongly suggesting he was her father.

So it would appear that James and Naomi left Muddy Creek for Roane County, Tennessee sometime between 3 Sep 1837 and 11 Dec 1838. The forced Estate Sale was dated before the first letter, so something may be off slightly there or else it just wasn't mentioned the first time.

James Stroud was listed on the 1840 census in Roane County, Tennessee next door to his father-in-law (and cousin) Echolds Stroud.

1840 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation of this census)

1840 Roane Co, TN pg 7 James Stroud 1000010000000-3000100000000
Analysis:
1 Male(s) 30-39        (1800-1810)	James STROUD (1804/05) s/o David
1 Male(s) 0-4          (1835-1840)	James STROUD (1835/36) son
1 Female(s) 20-29      (1810-1820)	Naomi STROUD Stroud (1809/10) wife d/o Echolds
3 Female(s) 0-4        (1835-1840)	Daughter? (1835/40) > gone by 1850
					Margaret STROUD (1836/37) daughter
					Casarilla STROUD (1839/40) daughter

James and family were still in Roane for the 1850 census. Echolds had moved away by this time. 

1850 census abstract: (Explanation of this census)

(Note: The dates at the end of each line are not part of the original census, but are approximate birth years based on age)

1850 ROANE CO, TN Page 441B  House/Family # 1707/1761  - 20th Subdivision Twp

STROUD JAMES          45 M W FARMER                     NC                   1804/1805
STROUD NEOMA          40 F W                            TN                   1809/1810
STROUD JAMES          14 M W                            TN                   1835/1836
STROUD MARGARET       13 F W                            TN                   1836/1837
STROUD CUSARILLA      10 F W                            TN                   1839/1840
STROUD PETER           8 M W                            TN                   1841/1842
STROUD SARAH           6 F W                            TN                   1843/1844
STROUD MARY            5 F W                            TN                   1844/1845
STROUD CATHARIN        1 F W                            TN                   1848/1849

I have not yet found James and family on the 1860 census or on later records. I did find a James Stroud age 76 on the 1880 census in Sangamon Co, IL. I don't know if it is this same James or not, but it could be. He was widowed by that time.

James and Naomi had seven children with them for the 1850 census. The 1840 census suggests a daughter born ca 1835/40 who was either married or dead by 1850. I have no additional data on any of these children.