William Leete

Dodington, Huntingtonshire, England

After the studies Leete was employed as registrar in the Bishop's Court at Cambridge. Here he witnessed the persecution of the Puritans and was so touched by their fortitude that he inquired into their faith and was converted. To escape persecution, he joined the Rev. Henry Whitfield's company which sailed for America in May 1639. During the voyage (June 1) he, together with other colonists, signed a Plantation Covenant. Upon their arrival at New Haven, they purchased land from the Indians and founded a new town, later called Guilford. Leete was chosen one of the six trustees of this land and also one of the four who were to act as a temporary government. He was town secretary or clerk from 1639 until his resignation in 1662. He was also one of the "seven pillars" who organized the Guilford church in 1643. With the establishment of a church, Guilford entered the "Combination" at New Haven and sent Leete and Desborough to represent it there, and for several years thereafter he served as one of its deputies. He was advanced to the magistracy in 1651, an office which he continued to hold until his death. He was sent on various missions to the neighboring colonies and represented the New Haven Colony in the New England Confederation from 1655 to 1664. He was deputy governor of the New Haven Colony from 1658 to 1661 and governor from 1661 to 1664. As such, he connived at the escape of the regicides, Goffe and Whalley, who had sought refuge in the Colony. It was largely through his moderating influence that the New Haven Colony peaceably submitted, in 1664, to the Connecticut charter of 1662. As a reward, the Connecticut General Court chose Leete as one of its magistrates, and elected him assistant every year until 1669, when he was promoted to deputy governor of the Connecticut Colony. After serving seven years in that office and upon the death of Governor Winthrop, he was elected governor seven years in succession (1676 - 1682) and was in office when he died. In addition, he frequently represented Connecticut in the New England Confederation, and was chosen president of the commissioners in 1673 and 1678. He died at Hartford and was buried in the cemetery of the First Church there.

William Leete

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statesman

Background

William Leete was born at Dodington, Huntingtonshire, England, the son of John and Anna (Shute) Leete, formerly of Cambridge.

Education

He was educated as a lawyer.

Career

After the studies Leete was employed as registrar in the Bishop's Court at Cambridge. Here he witnessed the persecution of the Puritans and was so touched by their fortitude that he inquired into their faith and was converted. To escape persecution, he joined the Rev. Henry Whitfield's company which sailed for America in May 1639. During the voyage (June 1) he, together with other colonists, signed a Plantation Covenant. Upon their arrival at New Haven, they purchased land from the Indians and founded a new town, later called Guilford. Leete was chosen one of the six trustees of this land and also one of the four who were to act as a temporary government.

He was town secretary or clerk from 1639 until his resignation in 1662. He was also one of the "seven pillars" who organized the Guilford church in 1643. With the establishment of a church, Guilford entered the "Combination" at New Haven and sent Leete and Desborough to represent it there, and for several years thereafter he served as one of its deputies. He was advanced to the magistracy in 1651, an office which he continued to hold until his death. He was sent on various missions to the neighboring colonies and represented the New Haven Colony in the New England Confederation from 1655 to 1664.

He was deputy governor of the New Haven Colony from 1658 to 1661 and governor from 1661 to 1664. As such, he connived at the escape of the regicides, Goffe and Whalley, who had sought refuge in the Colony. It was largely through his moderating influence that the New Haven Colony peaceably submitted, in 1664, to the Connecticut charter of 1662. As a reward, the Connecticut General Court chose Leete as one of its magistrates, and elected him assistant every year until 1669, when he was promoted to deputy governor of the Connecticut Colony. After serving seven years in that office and upon the death of Governor Winthrop, he was elected governor seven years in succession (1676 - 1682) and was in office when he died. In addition, he frequently represented Connecticut in the New England Confederation, and was chosen president of the commissioners in 1673 and 1678. He died at Hartford and was buried in the cemetery of the First Church there.

Achievements

Leete laid the foundation of the town of Guilford in New Haven. He became one of the seven founders of the First Congregational Church of Guilford. He also served as a representative from Guilford to a meeting in New Haven that led to the formation of the New Haven Colony.

Connections

Leete had married Anna Payne, the daughter of the Rector of Southoe (1638). After the death of his first wife he was married to Sarah Rutherford, and after her death, to Mary Newman Street. He had a number of children, all by his first wife.

Father:: John Leete
Mother:: Anna (Shute) Leete
Spouse:: Sarah Rutherford
Spouse:: Anna Payne
Spouse:: Mary Newman Street

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William Leete

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