Thomas James, Jr. (1620-1698) was a Puritan minister in East Hampton, Long Island, during the late 17th century.

Prior to reaching eastern Long Island, they made a stopover in Lynn, Massachusetts, and then moved on to Connecticut.

[citation needed] The senior James (1595 - 1683) had first settled in Boston in 1632 before moving to the Charlestown church for 3+1⁄2 years and then later to New Haven, Connecticut.

James Sr. was not well-liked by his congregation in New Haven and eventually returned to England, while his son remained in America.

[3][citation needed] He was born in 1620 in Newbury, Massachusetts, and received his education at Harvard College, where he graduated in 1643.

After completing his studies, he served as a schoolteacher in Ipswich and Rowley before moving to East Hampton in 1650 to become the minister of the town's Congregational Church (Later 1st.

[4] The East Hampton Town Trustees felt comfortable with Governor Winthrop of Connecticut and had gone to see him about finding a minister.

James Jr. was highly regarded by Judge Henry P. Hedges, who described him as "learned, resolutely just, sincere, fearless, active, and had a powerful personality."

He was also considered a "feisty Puritan" and was well-versed in public affairs, in addition to his role as a guide in politics, laws, morals, and religion.

Additionally, a fine of 10 shillings was imposed on anyone caught working on the Sabbath, and those who refused to pray were sent to the stockade.

The cemetery was originally the South End Burying Ground, and it was connected to the church or Meeting House.

The friendly relationship between the colonists and the Native Americans is in part what led the Sachem Wyandanch to consider an alliance with the town.

He also served as the Clerk of the Trustees, likely due to his writing skills, and was responsible for keeping the Town Records.

He and several other East Hampton citizens were arrested for protesting against being part of New York and for selling whale oil in Connecticut without paying taxes.

He spent three weeks in jail before being released on the grounds that he was a loyal subject of King James II.

In fact, in 1683, a number of towns including East Hampton, Southampton, and Southold banded together to form the Duke of York's Laws.

James was a prolific writer and is known for his publication, "The Book of Common Prayer Reformed According to the Plan of the Late Dr. Samuel Clarke," which was printed in 1690.

His gravestone bears the inscription, "MR. THOMAS JAMES DYED THE 16 DAY OF JUNE IN THE YEARE 1698 HE WAS MINISTAR OF THE GOSPELL AND PASTUR OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST."