James Seserson was likely born in Maryland. Still considered a boy in 1697, he came to North Carolina on William Lee's boat, perhaps as a stowaway. Later that year he joined Lee in helping Dorothy Steele run away from her husband. The group first headed south towards Charleston, but they turned around north of the Cape Fear when they were attacked by American Indians. They then turned northward and tried to escape to Virginia. The group eventually returned to Perquimans, where they had to come before the court. Seserson testified about his involvement in the expedition and provided evidence against William Lee and Dorothy Steele. The court then placed Seserson in William Gaskins' care, who promised to return Seserson to his parents in Maryland.