| Notes |
- Source: The Genealogy of the Miller and Pursel Families page 148
The surname Willet appears in early records in varying forms-Willett, Willetts, Willet and in the Grace Church,
Jamaica, L. I. church records New Amsterdam, Vilet. In England only the two forms, Willet and Willett are used. They are in Licestershire, Essex and Devonshire. One record says Willet is a baptismal name, meaning "the son of William" from the nickname "Will", and "et" the diminutive Willett.
From the N. Y. Gen. and Biol. Rec. Vol. XXVII, No. 4. Oct. 1896. Book 27, by E. P. B., I get my best proof of the line of Marinus Willet, who belongs to the same line of Willets as we do. From that line I take my first few generations proven as follows: - (This Capt. Thomas Willet is not the first English Mayor of N. Y. as has been claimed by many of the descendents, Thomas Willet the first Mayor married Mary Brown of Swansey, they went back to N. E. and died in Barrington, R. I.
CAPT. THOMAS WILLET, born in Bristol England, died about 1646, married in New Amsterdam, Sept. 1, 1643, Sarah Cornell, born in Essex, England. (His name in the Dutch record is written Wilert). They had two children.
1. WILLIAM WILLET, bap. June 29, 1644.
2. THOMAS WILLET, bap. Nov. 26, 1645.
In the Dutch Church of New Amsterdam a third, Elizabeth who married Robert Beecham is given by Bookstaver in his Gen. of the Willet Family. After Captain Willet's death his widow married, Nov. 3, 1647, Carel Ver Brugge (Charles Bridges). The record says "Sarah Cornellis, widow of Thomas Welert married Carel Ver Brugge". There were no children by this union. Charles Bridges died about July 1682. His will a joint one having been proven Aug. 28, 1682, letters of Administration were granted to his wife, Sarah Bridges. The will left our son Thomas Willet half of the land in Newtons Neck. Will also mentions brother Thomas Bridges. Sara Bridges, widow, after the death of her second husband married a third time, her third husband being John Lawrence Jr. Date of marriage licence Nov. 30, 1682. Sara Lawrence died intestate.
Letters of administration were granted to her eldest son, Col. Thomas Willett, Dec. 6, 1703 (N. Y. Liber. 7, page 129) William no doubt being dead. In various places William Willet the first born is mentioned, Feb. 19. 1664, Oct. 13, and Nov. 10, 1668, March 20 or 28. 1670 and in 1677 but no further trace of him can be found. He was of Westchester Co., and had the title of Major.
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- Abt 1646
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