James A. Latham (1808-1902) was a shipbuilder and master carpenter of Noank, Connecticut. He originally entered into partnership with John Palmer (1787-1859) to build vessels in Noank. After Palmer retired in the late 40's, James and his brother John D. Latham became partners. They built many vessels, mostly sloops, for the next 20 years, with James leaving the business to his brother in 1868. John continued shipbuilding into the 1880's. The Lathams built primarily in their own yard, but on occasion, as when James served as master carpenter for the building of the smack EMMA C. BERRY at the R. J. Palmer yard in 1866, they would work for other builders.