Walter Palmer (Puritan) facts for kids

Walter Palmer (1585–1661) was an early English settler. He was a Separatist Puritan. He helped start several towns in New England. These towns include Charlestown, Rehoboth, and Stonington.

Walter Palmer's Early Life

Walter Palmer was born in England around 1585. He got married in England. He had five children there.

Moving to America

On April 5, 1629, Walter Palmer sailed from Gravesend, England. He traveled on a ship called the Four Sisters. He arrived in Salem, Massachusetts in June of that year.

In 1631, Palmer took the Oath of a Freeman. This meant he was a recognized citizen. In 1633, he married his second wife, Rebecca Short. They had seven children together. In 1635, he was chosen as a selectman for Charlestown. A selectman was like a town leader. The next year, he became a constable, which was a local law officer.

Helping to Start New Towns

Walter Palmer was important in starting new communities. He helped found two major towns.

Founding Rehoboth

On August 24, 1643, Palmer left Charlestown. He started a new settlement called Seacuncke. This town was later renamed Rehoboth. Palmer was one of the first selectmen there.

The new settlement decided to join Plymouth Colony. Palmer was chosen to represent Rehoboth in the Plymouth court.

Founding Stonington

Palmer and his friend William Chesebrough were not happy with the Plymouth Colony. So, they decided to move again. John Winthrop the Younger convinced Chesebrough to move to southern Connecticut.

Chesebrough received a large piece of land. Palmer and his son-in-law, Thomas Minor, followed him. They bought land near Chesebrough. In August 1652, Thomas Miner built houses for their families. Other settlers soon joined them.

The group worked hard to govern themselves. During this time, Palmer served as a constable and a selectman again. It took many years to build a church meetinghouse. This was because the government in Connecticut wanted them to travel to New London instead. Palmer passed away two months after the meetinghouse was first used.

Notable Family Members

Walter Palmer has many famous descendants. Some of them include:

• Thomas T. Minor
• Asaph Hall
• William Adams Palmer, who was a Governor and Senator from Vermont
• Thomas Witherell Palmer, a U.S. Senator from Michigan
• Nathaniel Brown Palmer, an explorer. A part of Antarctica is named after him.
• Lowell Palmer Weicker, who was a Governor, Senator, and Congressman from Connecticut.
• Ulysses Simpson Grant, who was the 18th President of the United States.