John Bissell, was born in 1591 in Somersetshire, England. Tradition states that John along with a brother Thomas came to Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1628. Researchers believe that Thomas may have returned to England and/or was possibly the founder of a branch of Bissell’s in Rhode Island.

John Bissell removed to Windsor, Hartford County, Connecticut sometime in the 1630's. He appears on the list of First Settlers of Windsor. In the 1640's he is said to have operated a ferry across the Connecticut River at Windsor. His contract to operate the ferry in 1648 required that he provide a sufficient boat to carry over horse and foot and that he be on call at any time. He renewed his contract until March 1663/4 when he requested a release.

Bissell’s wife died at Windsor on 21 May 1641 some time after the birth of a daughter, Joyce. In 1648 John was appointed to General Court for the first of 46 sessions. In 1657 he was appointed trooper under Major John Mason. In December 1659 he was a witness to the will of John Drake, Sr. along with his son-in-law Jacob Drake. In 1669 John and his sons were listed and approved as freemen. A freeman was any man over twenty one whose property value reached a certain amount. Only after a vote could a person take the oath which obliged him to be a peaceful man. He and his sons had land east of Scantic brook, along the Connecticut River and in Windsor. He was involved with timber and a sawmill. When King Phillip’s war broke out in 1675 John and his sons sent monetary amounts as contributions. One in ten soldiers on both sides were injured and killed with much property damage in and around Plymouth, Massachusetts.

John Bissell wrote his will prior to the war in 1673. He gave each of his grandchildren 20 shillings. His daughters were provided for and the remainder of the estate equally divided among his sons. He died 03 October 1677 at Windsor.