John Brockett (American colonist) facts for kids

John Brockett was an important person who came from England. He helped settle arguments between people and Native Americans, and he also worked in the government. He was a soldier, a surgeon (a type of doctor), and a surveyor (someone who maps land). He passed away on March 12, 1690.

John Brockett's Life Story

Arriving in America (1630s)

John Brockett sailed from England to America on June 26, 1637. He arrived in Boston, which was then called the Massachusetts Bay Colony. He was the first person named Brockett to come to America. He traveled on a ship called the "Hector" with Reverend John Davenport.

The people on the "Hector" were wealthy and important. Many were merchants from London. Their arrival in Boston was celebrated because they were some of the richest immigrants to New England.

Soon after arriving, a group led by Theophilus Eaton decided to start a new colony. They explored the coast and chose a spot that became the New Haven Colony. Seven people stayed there for the winter. More settlers, including John Davenport and John Brockett, arrived on April 13, 1638.

They bought land from the Quinnipiac Native Americans. They then formed a government based on strict religious rules. John Brockett moved to New Haven Colony on April 13, 1638. He signed the first agreement for New Haven and became a leader among its founders. His name appears often in the town's early records.

In 1639, Brockett surveyed the area that is now the center of New Haven. He mapped out the borders so accurately that they are still used today.

Building New Haven (1640s)

By 1640, a full government was set up. The settlement, first called Quinnipiac, was renamed New Haven. The town was planned like a checkerboard, with nine main squares. The central square, now called the Green, was set aside as a public park, following an old English tradition.

By 1641, New Haven had grown to about 800 people. John Brockett created the survey map for the town in 1641. These successful immigrants formed a new government for their town. The residents trusted Brockett's judgment. He was often asked to join committees to solve disagreements between settlers and Native Americans.

John Brockett was also involved in the military for many years. In 1643, he was fined a small amount for being late to military training.

A Surgeon and Settler (1650s-1660s)

In 1654, John Brockett was appointed as a surgeon. He joined a group of soldiers who were against the Dutch settlers along the Hudson River.

In 1660, he helped resolve a border dispute. This was between the Connecticut Colony (in Hartford) and the New Haven Colony. He later moved to Elizabethtown, New Jersey, in 1667. In 1669, he moved to Wallingford, in the New Haven Colony.

In 1667, the Governor of New Jersey asked Brockett to survey the borders of Elizabethtown. This city is now known as Elizabeth, New Jersey. He lived there temporarily for this work. Brockett received land for his efforts, which he sold when he left Elizabethtown in 1670. While living there, the townspeople chose him and John Ogden to represent Elizabethtown in its local government.

In 1669, the New Haven Colony started planning a new village called Wallingford. The area had many wolves that harmed farm animals. John Brockett and his son Samuel were among the first 100 people to settle there. Each of the 38 settlers received land. Brockett received lot #1, which was about 12 acres (48,562 square meters). His son John received about 8 acres (32,375 square meters). John Brockett was elected to public offices and became a leading man in Wallingford. He eventually represented Wallingford in the General Assembly, which was like a state legislature.

Public Service (1670s-1690s)

John Brockett served as a Deputy to the General Court in Wallingford between 1671 and 1685. He held this position several times during these years. He also worked as a surgeon during King Philip's War (1675–1676). This was a major conflict where many colonists were killed.

He signed his will on March 3, 1690, in Wallingford, Connecticut. He passed away on March 12, 1690. John Brockett was known as a surveyor, soldier, civil engineer, and surgeon.