Thomas Willett (abt. 1621 - abt. 1646)

Born about 1621 in Bristol, Gloucestershire, England

Husband of Sarah (Cornell) Lawrence — married 1 Sep 1643 in New Amsterdam, New Netherland

Descendants

Died about 1646 at about age 25 in Flushing, Long Island, New Netherland

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Disambiguation

This Thomas Willett, Col. is not Mayor Thomas Willett (abt.1605-1674), (first and third mayors of NYC) who may have lived or had interest in greater New Amsterdam, New Netherland during the same period as Col Thomas Willett. It is easy to mix the two. Our Col. Thomas Willett, b. 1620/21, and d. ca. 1645. Which helps sort out those events not belonging to him. I am still not sure of the 1644 July 7 purchase of malt...he was a soldier...and that event might belong to Mayor Thomas Willett...who might not have been in residence in 1644, but rather a visiting business man from New England]]

Biography

Thomas Willett was b. 1620/21 "van Bristol in Engelt" and d. circa 1645. He was a soldier. He resided at Bristol, England; emigrated in 1643 to New Amsterdam, New Netherlands; married Sara Cornell of Essex, England on September 1, 1643.

Birth

Thomas Willett, was born ca. 1620/21 at Bristol, England^[1]

Marriage

Thomas Willett, b. ca. 1620/21 at Bristol, England, married. Sara Cornell, of Essex, England on 1 Sep 1643 in New Amsterdam, New Netherland^[2]. Marriage was recorded at the Reformed Dutch Church of New Amsterdam, New Netherland^[3]. He was her 1st husband. Sarah Cornell resided at Essex, England. After her immigration and Thomas Willet's death ca. 1645, she resided at Cornell's Neck, New Amsterdam, New Netherland. Sarah married 2nd. Charles Bridges on 3 Nov 1647 at the Reformed Dutch Church, New Amsterdam, New Netherland; and married John Lawrence Jr., son of John Lawrence and Susannah, on 20 Nov 1682; by license, as her 3rd husband. She died between 1692 and 1698.

Children

Known/suspected children of Thomas Willett and Sarah Cornell were as follows:

• Lt. William|Willem Willett|Welert; baptized 27 Jun or 6 Jul 1644^[4] at New Amsterdam, New Netherland; d. 1701; no known issue.

• Col. Thomas Willett, bap. 26 Nov 1645^[5] Baptism was recorded at the Reformed Dutch Church of Manhattan, New Amsterdam, New Netherland; m. Heiltie Elbertse Stoothoff; m. Charity Stevenson.

• Elizabeth Willett or Bridges, b. 1646 in West Farms, Westchester, New Amsterdam, New Netherland; m, Robert BEACHMAN. Charles Bridges did not marry Sarah Cornel until Nov 3 1647 (banns) Parentage for Elizabeth is unclear. Sourced in "Genealogy of the Cornell Family; Rev. John Cornell, M.A, "

Death

It is not clear when Thomas Willett died, He was alive on Nov 26, 1645 when he baptized his son Thomas, however, he was dead when his widow married Charles Bridges aka Carel ver Brugge (banns) on Nov 3, 1647. He could have died before possible daughter Elizabeth was born.

Research Notes

Two Thomas Willets

This information is retained simply to help differentiate the two Thomas Willetts who lived in New Amsterdam during the first half of the 17th century. Too often the two are confused and cross merged. The "debris" section can be deleted.

Emigration: 1629, Thomas Willett [the mayor] came from Bristol, England as a passenger on the "Second Mayflower", Master Capt. William Pierce. The boat left Gravesend, London, March 1629 and arrived at Plymouth 5/15/1629. There were over 35 passengers, many from Leyden.. He lived in New England before being sent to New York.

Our first encounter with Thomas Willett [again Most likely the mayor] was in 1644 July 7. Declaration. Jurian Blank and Thomas Willett, respecting the purchase of malt from Laurens Cornelissen, Page 28:118

DUTCH MANUSCRIPTS. Vol. II REGISTER OF PROVINCIAL SECRETARY.

A 23-24 year old soldier would not have been trading in malt.

Sources

1. ↑ NARDC Marriage Record
2. ↑ Genealogy of the Rodman family, 1620-1886, Charles Henry Jones, 1837-1911, page 20-21
3. ↑ NARDC Marriage Record: 1643 01 Sep; Thomas Willet, jm. van Bristol in Engelt; Sara Cornell, jd van Essex in Engelt
4. ↑ NARDC Bapt. Record: Page 17--1644 Jun 29; Thomas Welert; Willem; Willem Kieft-Gouvneur, Johanne Richarts
5. ↑ NARDC Bapt. Record--Page 20--1645 Nov 26; Thomas Welert; Thomas; Isaac Arlington, Mr. Biston, Mr. Lautes wife, Margariet Jans

• The New York Genealogical and Biographical Record (quarterly), 1932, selected extracts, New York Genealogical and Biographical Society. Page 66.

• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/183824533/thomas-willet

• Wardell, Patricia A. "Willett." Early Bergen County Families. Accessed 13 Jun 2016. File: BCFam-Willett.pdf

• Source: Samuel S. Purple's 'Records of the Reformed Dutch Church in New Amsterdam and New York, Marriages from 11 December 1639 to 26 August 1801.'; The beginning records show the date the Banns were registered, NOT the date of marriage. Starting on 9/20/1673 marriage dates are given.

• Willett Family

• Website: Family of Robert BEACHMAN and Elizabeth WILLET

• Website: "Genealogy of the Cornell Family; Rev. John Cornell, M.A, " p.28. Text From Source: In 1668, Sarah Bridges and Richard Cornell, executors of Beachman, who may have married Elizabeth, daughter of Sarah. Internet Archive, http://archive.org Internet Archive 300 Funston Avenue San Francisco, CA 94118 info at archive.org. Tel: 415-561-6767.

• Website: Thomas Willett (b. Abt. 1621, d. 1647) This Link is broken, no archived page found.

Acknowledgements

• Willett-494 was created by Tom Quick, Quick-803 22:00, 4 December 2014 (EST).
• Thank you to CaddyAncestors.ged on 21 December 2010.
• Willett-505 was created by Kelly Sullivan through the import of Rishor.ged on Jan 23, 2015.
• Willett-463 was created by Derek Ralston through the import of Ralston Family Tree_2014-09-02.ged on Sep 2, 2014.