William Leete facts for kids

William Leete was an important leader in early America. He was born in England around 1612 or 1613. He became the Governor of the New Haven Colony and later the Governor of the Connecticut Colony. He is the only person to have led both of these colonies.

William Leete's Early Life

William Leete was born in a place called Diddington, England. His father was John Leete, and his mother was Anna Shute. Anna's father, Robert Shute, was a judge in the King's Court.

William Leete studied to become a lawyer. He worked as a clerk in a court in Cambridge, England. He did not like how the Puritans were treated by this court. This made him want to move to America.

He was married three times. His first wife was Anna Payne. She was the mother of all ten of his children. They got married on August 1, 1636.

Moving to America and Early Career

William Leete left England because he disagreed with how the government treated people. On June 1, 1639, he was one of 25 people who signed the Plantation Covenant while on a ship. This was an agreement about how their new community would be governed.

After arriving in America, Leete became very active in public service. He was the town clerk for Guilford, Connecticut from 1639 to 1662. He also served as a Justice of the Peace there in 1642. A Justice of the Peace helps keep order and settles small legal matters.

From 1651 to 1658, he was a town magistrate in Guilford. He also represented Guilford in the New Haven Colony General Court from 1643 to 1649.

Leading the Colonies

William Leete held many important leadership roles. He was a Commissioner for the New Haven Colony from 1655 to 1658. He then became the Deputy Governor of the New Haven Colony from 1658 to 1661.

From 1661 to 1664, he served as the Governor of the New Haven Colony. After the New Haven Colony joined with the Connecticut Colony, he continued to serve. He became the Governor of the Colony of Connecticut from 1676 to 1683. He is the only person in history to have been governor of both colonies.

Helping the Regicides

William Leete is well-known for helping two men called Regicides. These men were William Goffe and Edward Whalley. They were former English judges who were wanted by King Charles II. They had signed the order to execute the King's father, Charles I.

In May 1661, two men sent by the King arrived in Guilford. They had an order to arrest Goffe and Whalley. They met with Leete, who was the Deputy Governor at the time. Leete read the King's order out loud, letting everyone know why the men were there.

Leete said he needed to talk to other leaders before allowing a search. He also offered the King's men fresh horses. However, he delayed giving them the horses until it was too late to travel that day. Since it was Saturday, they could not travel on Sunday (the Sabbath).

This delay gave Goffe and Whalley time to hide. They escaped capture thanks to Leete's actions.

Later Life and Legacy

William Leete moved from Guilford to Hartford, Connecticut. He passed away there in April 1683. He was buried in Hartford's Ancient Burying Ground.

Leete's Island, located near Guilford and Branford, is named after him. It helps remember his important role in the history of Connecticut.