Bill -
There was a George Washington Holmes born in 1801 in NY, to Nathan Holmes and Lydia Winchell. Since I don't really branch outwards, just upwards, I'm not sure if my George had a brother named James. However, if your info shows that Nathan was his father, then I'd say it was safe to say James was born in NY. I've not found any info showing that Nathan and family ever lived in Michigan.
Michelle