Born in Kingston, Surrey, England, Bishop came to North America, arriving in Boston, Massachusetts in 1634 with his brothers Nathaniel and Henry.
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.
He was very involved in the early governments of New Haven and Connecticut colonies, serving at various times as deputy to the legislature.