James W. Chever was born James Chever on April 20, 1791. James changed his name to James W. Chever in 1817, in order to distinguish his mail from the mail of two other James Chevers. Educated at Master Southwick's School in Salem, James W. began his career as a cabin boy at twelve years old, and eventually became the master of the privateer America during the War of 1812 with England. Under his direction, the America was responsible for 25 of the 41 British ships captured during the war. He skippered his ship against British ships in the English and Irish Canals, as well as Georges Bank and the Straits of Gibralter. James returned to Salem Harbor in April 1815 as a local hero, and began a life of commercial shipping. Thanks to James, the owners of America, George Crowninshield and Sons, profited greatly from his accomplishments, collecting half of the more than one million dollar value placed on the captured British ships and their cargo.

James spent the last 20 years of his life working on Crowninshield Wharf, while dabbling in the railroad and whaling ships. He became master and part owner of the Perseverance (Ship) in the 1820s. His last voyage was aboard the Sapphire (Ship) in 1834. James married Lydia Dean, and they had seven children together. He died in 1857.

Henry Prince Chever was the oldest son of James and Lydia Chever, born 1816. Educated at Steven Putnam's Academy in Andover, H. K. Olive's Classical School in Salem, and the River [sic] Grammar School, he was a ship master and ship owner. When Henry died in 1853, he was embroiled in a dispute over the sale of the cargo of the brig Hannah, which Henry mastered and his father owned with Thomas P. Pingree.

William James Chever was Henry Prince's brother, born on March 16, 1818 to James and Lydia Chever. He was master of the ship, Ocean Eagle. William married Eliza Ann Richardson, and died in 1902.

George Francis Chever was Henry Prince and William James Chever's brother, born on November 30, 1819 to James and Lydia Chever. He graduated from Harvard College in 1840 after studying law. He wrote a number of volumes of family genealogy.