Individual Details
Captain Richard Brackett
(16 September 1610 - 3 March 1690)
Richard was apparently a staunch Puritan and agreed with them on all matters pertaining to religion and politics. He followed closely on the heels of those who led.
He came first to America in 1629 with his older brother Peter. In 1630, he was among the colonists who helped organize the first church of Boston, an effort led by Governor Winthrop. He returned to England in 1633 in order to marry Alice Blower. They were married 6 January 1633/4 in St. Katherine by the Tower in London. They returned to Boston in 1634. Richard was admitted freeman in Boston May 25, 1636 and on November 23, 1636 he became a member of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company. Prior to March 21, 1636 he was granted a lot upon which to build. His choice was limited to lots "not being built upon (and) is free to be otherwise disposed of". He made the selection of a lot now on Washington Street, nearly midway between the present West and Boylston Streets. He was then appointed by the General Court to be the keeper of the prison. His salary and prerequisites were thirteen pounds and six pence, increasing to twenty pounds June 6, 1639. He was also given the use of a dwelling house. The following year he sold his property on Washington Street. Richard served as jailer in Boston for about 5 years, after which he moved to Braintree and became a farmer.
In Braintree, Richard held a number of offices including being the first town clerk and serving as selectman in 1670 and 1672. He has served as Deputy to the General Court several different years.
Richard was also active in the local trainband. A trainband was a type of local militia akin to a military reserve unit. Most men participated in the trainband and could be called up if needed if there were military conflicts. Richard was promoted to Captain of the local trainband in 1654. During King Philip's War, Braintree was raided by Indians in February 1675 and four settlers were killed and again in 1676 a settler was killed. The trainband would have responded to these events.
He came first to America in 1629 with his older brother Peter. In 1630, he was among the colonists who helped organize the first church of Boston, an effort led by Governor Winthrop. He returned to England in 1633 in order to marry Alice Blower. They were married 6 January 1633/4 in St. Katherine by the Tower in London. They returned to Boston in 1634. Richard was admitted freeman in Boston May 25, 1636 and on November 23, 1636 he became a member of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company. Prior to March 21, 1636 he was granted a lot upon which to build. His choice was limited to lots "not being built upon (and) is free to be otherwise disposed of". He made the selection of a lot now on Washington Street, nearly midway between the present West and Boylston Streets. He was then appointed by the General Court to be the keeper of the prison. His salary and prerequisites were thirteen pounds and six pence, increasing to twenty pounds June 6, 1639. He was also given the use of a dwelling house. The following year he sold his property on Washington Street. Richard served as jailer in Boston for about 5 years, after which he moved to Braintree and became a farmer.
In Braintree, Richard held a number of offices including being the first town clerk and serving as selectman in 1670 and 1672. He has served as Deputy to the General Court several different years.
Richard was also active in the local trainband. A trainband was a type of local militia akin to a military reserve unit. Most men participated in the trainband and could be called up if needed if there were military conflicts. Richard was promoted to Captain of the local trainband in 1654. During King Philip's War, Braintree was raided by Indians in February 1675 and four settlers were killed and again in 1676 a settler was killed. The trainband would have responded to these events.
Events
| Birth | 16 September 1610 | Sudbury, Suffolk, England | |||
| Immigration | 1632 | Boston, Massachusetts Bay |  | ||
| Marriage | 6 January 1633/34 | St. Katherine by the Tower, London, England - Alice Blower | | ||
| Death | 3 March 1690 | Braintree, Massachusetts Bay | | ||
| Occupation | jailer and a farmer |
Families
| Spouse | Alice Blower (1615 - 1690) |
| Child | Rachel Brackett (1639 - ) |
| Child | Hannah Brackett (1634 - 1706) |
| Child | John Brackett (1637 - 1687) |
| Child | Mary Brackett (1641 - 1678) |
| Child | James Brackett (1645 - 1718) |
| Child | Josiah Brackett (1652 - ) |
| Child | Sarah Brackett (1655 - 1690) |
| Child | Peter Brackett (1637 - ) |
| Father | Peter Brackett (1585 - 1616) |
| Mother | Rachel (1590 - 1651) |
| Sibling | Rachel Brackett (1614 - 1684) |
| Sibling | Peter Brackett (1608 - 1688) |
| Sibling | Jonathan Brackett (1616 - 1616) |