Francis Newman facts for kids

Francis Newman was an important English colonist who lived from about 1605 to 1660. He came to America and played a big role in the early days of the New Haven Colony. He even became the Governor of the colony from 1658 until he passed away in 1660.

Early Life and Moving to America

Francis Newman was born in England around 1605. When he was about 25, in 1630, he married Mary Newman Street Leete. A few years later, in 1634, he decided to move to America. He first settled in New Hampshire. However, he soon moved to the Connecticut River valley, which was a growing area at the time.

A Leader in New Haven Colony

Francis Newman quickly became a very active and important person in the New Haven community. He took on many different jobs and responsibilities to help the colony grow and stay organized.

Early Roles

In June 1642, he became an ensign in the trained band. This was like being a junior officer in the local military group that protected the colony. A couple of years later, in October 1644, he was made the surveyor of roads and bridges. This meant he was in charge of planning and building the paths and crossings that connected different parts of the colony.

Rising Through the Ranks

Newman continued to take on more important roles. By March 1645, he was a Deputy and a Lieutenant of Artillery. These were higher positions in the colony's defense. He also served as an interim secretary in March 1646. This was a temporary job helping with official papers and records. In October 1647, he became a full Deputy for Jurisdiction and Secretary. This showed how much the colonists trusted him with important legal and administrative tasks.

Becoming a Magistrate

In May 1653, Francis Newman reached an even higher position: he became a Magistrate. A magistrate was like a judge or a very important official who helped make decisions and keep order in the colony.

Working with Other Colonies

That same year, in 1653, Newman was chosen for a special mission. He was one of the people sent from the Connecticut River towns to Manhattan. Their job was to talk to Peter Stuyvesant, who was the Governor of New Netherland (an area controlled by the Dutch). They went to demand fair treatment for the English colonists who had faced problems with the Dutch.

In July 1654, Newman became a commissioner for the United Colonies of New England. This was a group where different English colonies worked together. They cooperated on important issues like defense and dealing with other groups.

Governor of New Haven

Francis Newman's hard work and dedication led him to the highest position in the colony. In May 1658, he took over from Theophilus Eaton as the Governor of the New Haven Colony. He served as Governor until his death.

Death

Francis Newman passed away on November 18, 1660. The exact place where he was laid to rest is not known today.