On 19 Jul 1753 when James was 25, he first married
Dorcas Atwater, daughter of
Caleb Atwater (16 Oct 1702-11 Jan 1775) &
Lydia Benham (ca 1708-), in New Haven, CT.
Born on 26 Aug 1732 in New Haven, CT. Dorcas died in New Haven, CT, on 15 Sep 1759; she was 27.