James Bishop (colonial administrator)

James Bishop (1625 – January 24, 1691) was an early English colonial administrator of Connecticut.

James Bishop
Lieutenant Governor
In office
1681–1683
23rd Deputy Governor Connecticut
In office
1683–1691
Preceded byRobert Treat
Succeeded byWilliam Jones
Personal details
Born1625
Kingston Parish, Surrey, England
DiedJanuary 24, 1691
New Haven, Connecticut
Spouse(s)Mary Lewen Bishop Elizabeth Tomkins Bishop
ChildrenHannah Bishop

Grace Bishop

Sarah Bishop

Elizabeth Bishop

Abigail Bishop

John Bishop

Ruth Bishop

Samuel Bishop

Mary Bishop

James Bishop II

Rebecca (Bishop) Thompson

Biography

Born in Kingston Parish, Surrey, England, Bishop came to America, arriving in Boston, Massachusetts in 1634 with his brothers Nathaniel and Henry. He was a young boy at that time and Henry was his guardian. While in Boston they became acquainted with the Rev Davenport. In 1638 they were part of the original group of settlers who settled the colony of New Haven, Connecticut. Henry worked as a farmer to Rev Davenport. It is believed that Rev Davenport tutored James, as he appeared to be much better educated than most men of that time.[1]

Bishop married Mary Lewen and they had seven children, Hannah, Grace, Sarah, Elizabeth, Abigail, John, and Ruth. On December 12, 1665, he married his second wife, Elizabeth Tomkins, and they had four children, Samuel, Mary, James II, and Rebecca (Bishop) Thompson.[2]

Career

Very interested in politics, Bishop became the secretary of New Haven Colony from 1651 to 1658. He was very involved in the early governments of New Haven and Connecticut colonies, serving at various times as deputy to the legislature, He was a Representative in 1665 and served seven terms until 1668.[3] He was assistant judge from 1668 to 1683, and sergeant in the New Haven militia. Bishop served on the Committee on Indians in 1668 and later served on the wartime council in 1673–1676 that dealt with King Philip's War.

Finally, Bishop was Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut in 1681–1683 and Deputy Governor from 1683 until his death.

Death

Bishop died in 1691. He is interred at Grove Street Cemetery in New Haven, Connecticut.[4]

References

  1. "James Bishop". Ancestry.com. Retrieved 18 January 2013.
  2. Whittemore, Henry (1967). James Bishop. ISBN 9780806303789. Retrieved 18 January 2013.
  3. "James Bishop". Roots web. Retrieved 18 January 2013.
  4. "James Bishop". Ancestry.com. Retrieved 19 January 2013.


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