John Brooks Threlfall authored the book Fifty Great Migration Colonist in 1990. This book was published in 1992 by Heritage Books Incorporated of Bowie, Maryland. In this work the author deals with Richard Brackett, his wife, Alice Blower and their ancestors on pages 63 through 116. The following information was gleaned from this work:

William Brackett was a resident of Sudbury, Suffolk County, England. Also living there at the same time was an Edward Brackett, possibly his brother. Both of these men appear on the “Military Survey of 1522”. William is recorded as being an “archer” and Edward as being an “able billman” and both are recorded as being butchers. They were assessed 12 pence on goods valued at £ 2. According to the author you can assume that they grew up in the trade and learned it from their father who must have also lived in Sudbury. Two years after this survey, they both appear again on the record as taxpayers in the 1524 “Subsidy return”. Each were assessed 4 pence on wages of 20 shillings. No earlier record of this family name has been found in Sudbury. This name does however occur at earlier dates in other parts of England. 

Edward Brackett died in the year 1540 and his will reads: 20 June 1540-The will of Edward Brackett, balie of the town of Sudbury, Suffolk, hale of mind and in good and perfect remembrance … my body to be buried within the churchyard of St. Gregory in Sudbury … to every of my children John, James, Edward, George and Faythe 5 marks at age 20 and if Faythe marry before age 20, then on day of marriage … to Maud my wife all those my copyhold lease, interest and term of years which I have and hold of the right worshipful Lady Dame Jane Corbett of and in certain lands and pastures lying in Assington, Suffolk, called by the name of Perefield … Richard Barker of Sudbury to hold and occupy these leases during the nonage of Son George Brackett, paying £ 4 13s 7d sterling yearly to Maud my wife and 6c of fresh wood with the felling making and carrying of the same toward the keeping and bringing up of the same George and Edward my sons … Also, to wife Maud a certain lease in lands called Chyllton wente and Duckslade … The residue of all my goods and cattle, money, plate, debts and implements of household not assigned or bequeathed to Maud my Wife whom I make sole executrix. John Oxburghe of Sudbury, gentleman, and the said Richard Barker to be my aydors and comforters to my said wife and for their pains 6s 8d sterling. Witnesses: John Bannasted, Raulff Feosdike, John Blanch, John Beele, Ronert Cooke, Willm Hayward. Proved 19 March 1540/41 (Ref.: Coole 364)

William Brackett had at least three sons who referred to each other in their wills:

William Brackett, probably born about 1515 and married Alice … and had children: Edmond, Richard, William, Maud, and others. William died and was buried at St. Peter’s. Alice remarried on 11 Sept. 1575 to Richard Morrell or Merrill. 

George Brackett, named in the wills of his brothers, William and Thomas. George had several children amongst who was Richard who had a daughter Barbara in 1593 and son Robert in 1594/95, George who was baptized 02 Dec 1565 at St. Gregory’s who married Elizabeth … and had children, Elizabeth born about 1603, Anne born about 1608, Grace and Christian who were baptized 29 March 1581 at St. Peter’s and probably also John who witnesses the will of William Brackett in 1575 and maybe the John B. who was baptized 22 Aug 1557 at St. Mary in Bury St. Edmunds.

Thomas Brackett who married Emma … and died in 1573, naming in his will his wife and sons, Edward and William. His son Edward was slain by Anthony Burr on 15 June 1591 and was buried the next day at St. Peter’s. Thomas’s will reads: 10 September 1573-The nuncupative will of Thomas Brackett of St. Gregory, Sudbury, Suffolk … sick in body … to Robert bracket son of George Brackett his brother one pewter platter … to Edward Brackett his son one brass pot, one pewter platter, one porringer, one saucer of pewter … to William Brackett his other son one candlestick … all these to be delivered unto his brother George Brackett to keep for his children until they come of lawful age … the residue of his goods to my wife Emma Brackett freely, she seeing his body honestly buried and brought to the ground, his debts paid and his little children brought up in the fear of God. Witnesses: Thomas Byknell, William Smyth, Thomas Collins, with others. Proved 13 January 1573/4 (Ref. Large 214)

References: Suffolk Green Book X; Probate Records at Bury Saint Edmunds, Parish Registers and Bishop’s Transcripts

William Brackett the son of William Brackett lived in Sudbury, Suffolk, England. He was born about 1515-1520. William was a butcher by trade and had a shop, or stall in Sudbury. He left this business to his son, William. It appears that William lived for a few years in Bury St. Edmunds because the baptismal records of several of his children are found there. Of these six entries, only the last one for the baptism of a daughter gives the father’s name. Presumably all the others were also William’s children. There was no other known William Brackett and there is no record of him in Bury St. Edmunds so he must have returned to his native Sudbury where he died. Sudbury and Bury St. Edmunds are about 14 miles apart. In the 1568 “Subsidy Returns” William is listed in the parish of Saint Peter and was taxed 14 shillings on £ 5 worth of goods. On 04 May 1575 William made his will and was buried two days later on the 6th at St. Peter’s, not St. Gregory’s as he had requested in his will. On 11 September 1575 Alice Brackett remarried to Richard Morrells or Merrells at St. Gregory’s. William’s will reads: 04 May 1575-The will of William Brackett of Sudbury, Suffolk, Butcher, being at this time in perfect memory … my body to be buried in the churchyard of St. Gregory’s … all my houses with the appurtenances in Sudbury which I have shall be sold by Richard Brackett my son and Peter Haliwell of little Cornard within two years next and immediately ensuing my decease to the most advantage … the money to be disburst in manner and form following … to Alyce Brackett my wife £ 40 in manner presently after the sale is made. In consideration of it she shall keep William Brackett and Maud Brackett my children and if she chance to die or sale be made then I will and give the same £ 40 to William Brackett my son and Maud Brackett my daughter to be equally divided between them … to Edmond Brackett my son £ 30 to be paid after my houses be sold … if he die, to his children at 21 … to Maud Brackett my daughter £ 10 which Alice my wife is to receive and give bond to my executor to pay to Maud at age 18, but if Maud die before age 18, the £ 10 to go to William Brackett my son … to Richard Brackett my son the residue of the proceeds of the sale … if the said Richard be able to bind the said houses then I will that he shall have the p’forment thereof giving for the same as another man will … Alice my wife to have the occupation of all my said houses rent free until they be sold … to George Brackett my brother my maser tipped with silver and all my apparrell … to William Brackett my son and to his heirs my “staule” in the “m’kytte” … Alice my wife to receive the profit thereof until he reaches 21 but if he died before 21, then the same stall unto Maud my daughter … to Alice my wife all the moveable goods within the houses, one cow and all the swine, except one feather bed and one boulster which lyeth on the bed next the entry which I do give unto Richard my son … to Richard Brackett my son all my leases of all those grounds, lands and meadows which I now hold and occupy … , all my corn now growing, and all my goods chattels and movables unbequeathed. Richard to be the executor, Thomas Smyth to be overseer. Witnesses: Lawrence Newman Clarke, George Brackytte, William Curd, Nicholas Ruggell, John Brackytte and Thomas Smythe with others. Proved 05 July 1575 (Ref.: Wroo 88) The children of William Brackett were:

Edmund Brackett, apparently the eldest surviving son who had children William who was buried on 23 Jan 1564/5, Faythe who was baptized on 02 Dec 1665, both at St. Gregory’s and probably four more between 1667-1673; Elizabeth a daughter who was baptized on 10 Jul 1575 at St. Peter’s, Judith baptized o8 Sep 1577 and was buried on 09 July 1580, Edith baptized 05 Jun 1580. Judith and Edith were baptized at All Saint church. 

Margaret Brackett was probably his daughter and was baptized on 30 June 1544 at St. Mary’s, Bury St. Edmunds, and was buried there on 01 Jul 1545. Her parents are not named in this record.

Susan Brackett who was baptized on 14 Jun 1545 at St. James, Bury St. Edmonds although the parents are not named in this record either. She must have died young as no further record of her has been found.

(Illegible) Brackett baptized 22 Feb 1546/7 at St. James, parents not named

Margaret Brackett was probably another daughter and was born about 1548. On 10 October 1566 at Belchamp, “Margaret Brekett of Sudbury, spinster, was murdered by Thomas Curley of Bures St. Mary, cook, who attacked her and cut her throat as she was walking along the road to Sudbury.” For this murder Thomas Curley was indicted by an Inquisition held at Rlechamp St. Paul on 12 Dec 1566 according to the (Calendar of Assize Records-Indictments, Essex, Elizabeth-H.M.S.O. 1578).

Richard Brackett born about 1550-54 and married and had three or more children and married second on 25 Sep 1589 at All Saints church to Alice Harper and had two children. Alice was buried 17 May 1595 at St. Peter’s. Richard married third on 04 Feb 1601/02 at Long Melford, the widow Greengrass and had one more child. Richard was living in 1616 as he witnessed his son Peter’s will.

William Brackett was born about 1555 and married on 21 Jul 1582 at St. Peter’s to Alice Bull. William probably died about 1583-5, as Alice Brackett married second to John Goslin on 29 Aug 1585. William had children: William baptized 27 Jan 1582/3 at St. Peter’s. However this may be the marriage and child of his cousin William Brackett who was a son of Thomas Brackett.

Maud Brackett who was probably another daughter and was baptized on 20 Nov 1560 at Bury St. Edmunds. Maud was under 18 in 1575 which makes this identification likely. Maud married 02 Feb 1585/6 at St. Gregory’s, Sudbury to George Goldyng.

References: Probate Records at Bury St. Edmunds; Parish Registers, Bishops Transcripts, and the Suffolk Green Book

Richard Brackett was probably born about 1550-1554 at Sudbury, Suffolk, England. On 25 Sep 1589 at All Saints Church in Sudbury he married Alice Harper. This may have been a second marriage for him because it occurred too late for the births of Richard, Rose, Peter and Tobias who must have been his children and certainly Margerie, whose baptism is recorded. Richard had one or two children by Alice and then she died and was buried on 17 May 1595 at St. Peter’s in Sudbury. Richard married third on 04 Feb 1601/2 at Long Melford the widow Greengrasse. Richard Brackett was buried on 26 May 1626 at Long Melford. Richard’s children were:

Richard Brackett probably his son born about 1580-85 who married on 30 May 1607 at Long Melford to Margaret Weeden and had children baptized there, Agnes on 26 April 1608, Abraham on 31 May 1609 who may have married Ann Mabson in 1633, Isaack on 14 Mar 1610/11, Alice on 01 Apr 1613 who died young, Richard on 13 Dec 1614 and married Joan …, Margaret on 11 Jan 1617/18, Eden on 10 Oct 1619 and may have died young, Anne who was buried 12 Oct 1620. Margaret, wife of Richard, was buried on 19 Jul 1620. Richard married second Mary … and had children Abigail 22 Aug 1621, Alice 16 Feb 1622/3; Mary, wife of Richard, buried 21 Sep 1626 and he married third and had children William 01 Jul 1627, Thomas 26 Sep 1630, Dorothy 26 Jan 1633/4 who was buried 24 Mar 1638/9.

Rose Brackett was probably a daughter and was married on 28 Aug 1603 at St. Peter’s in Sudbury to William Chapman

Tobias Brackett was probably a son also. He was born about 1585-90 and married on 01 Sep 1613 to Joan Fleete at Long Melford and had a daughter Katherine baptized 20 Aug 1614 and buried 05 Sep 1624. Tobias was buried on 23 Jun 1634 and his widow Joan on 18 Jan 1635/6 at Long Melford.

Peter Brackett was born about 1580-85 and married Rachel … and had four children, Peter born about 1608, Richard baptized 16 Sep 1610, Rachel baptized 28 Apr 1614 and Jonathan baptized 04 Oct 1616 all at Sudbury. Peter was buried on 25 Aug 1616 at All Saints church in Sudbury.


Margerie Brackett was baptized on 17 Feb 1582/3 at St. Peter’s

Robert Brackett was baptized 30 Sep 1593 at St. Peter’s and was buried there on 06 Dec 1598

Ellen Brackett was perhaps another daughter. She was married on 14 Nov 1615 at All Saints to Stephen Wood. Ellen would have been by wife, “the widow Greengrasse”

Edward Brackett was baptized on 24 Dec 1603 at St. Peter’s in Sudbury and married on 05 Feb 1628/9 at All Saints to Francis Landsall and had children, Edward baptized on 12 Dec 1630 at Long Melford, Mary baptized on 13 Oct 1633 and was buried on 23 Feb 1633/4 at St. Gregory’s in Sudbury and George baptized on 23 Oct 1639 at St. Gregory’s

References: Parish Registers, Bishop Transcripts and Probate Records at Bury St. Edmunds.

Peter Brackett of Sudbury, England was born about 1580-85. His wife was named Rachel. Peter was taken ill in the prime of life and made his will on 18 Aug 1616 and died a week later. He was buried on 25 Aug 1616 at All Saints in Sudbury. Three days after his burial his widow proved his will. Peter Brackett was apparently a substantial citizen, for he owned a house in another parish which was rented out and the rent from this he left to his father for life. Peter’s will reads: 08 Aug 1616-I Peter Bracket of Sudbury in the county of Suff and diocesse of Norwich being sick in body but whole in mind … Rachell my wife shall have all my goods chattels and implements of household in consideration that she shall bring up my children and pay unto every one my children twenty shillings a piece as namely Peter, Richard and Rachell and my will is that that child which my wife is with shall have twenty shillings to be paid unto them at their several ages of Twenty and one years and if any of them that shall do die before their portion to be divided among them that shall be living. Item I will and my mind is that my father Richard Bracket shall have the rent of my house in the parish of St. Peter’s in Sudbury wherein one Martin London now dwelleth during his natural life and after his decease I will and my mind is that my said house shall be sold by my wife and the money thereof to be divided among my children that shall be then living and my will is that my eldest son Peter Bracket shall have five pounds more than the residue. Item I ordain and make Rachell my loving wife to be executrix of this my last will and testament
Peter Brackett
Witnesses: … Ruggles(Proved 28 Aug 1616)
Richard BracketThomas Grigges
Edward StrachieWilliam Strutt(Ref: Legate 122)

After two years time Rachel remarried to Martin Saunders. On or about 10 Apr 1635 Martin Saunders, Rachel and seven minor children along with her daughter Rachel (Brackett) Newcomb and her husband Francis Newcomb and two of their children all set sail from London aboard the “Planter” and arrived in Boston on 07 Jun 1635. On the passenger lists Martin and Rachel are listed as being 40 years of age. They also had brought three servants with them. The Saunders, Newcombs and Brackett families settled in part of Boston that became Braintree. Rachel Saunders was admitted to the Boston church on 08 Nov 1635 and dismissed to the new Braintree church on 16 Apr 1639. Rachel Saunders died at Braintree, Massachusetts on 23 May 1651 and Martin Saunders remarried on 23 May 1654 to Elizabeth Bancroft the widow of Roger. Martin Sunders died 04 Aug 1658. Rachel Saunders was the former wife of Peter Brackett and the mother of his four children:

Peter Brackett was probably born late in 1608 and married on 04 Oct 1632 at Cavendish to Martha Raye. They had three children all baptized at All Saints in Sudbury, England, Peter on 07 Sep 1633, Rachel on 22 Feb 1634/5 and Martha on 05 May 1636. Martha Brackett was buried 14 Dec 1637 at All Saints. Peter married second Faith … as a son James Brackett was baptized on 06 Oct 1644 and the mother was listed as Faith. Peter married third Priscilla … and had one more child. He had at least nine children total. Peter married fourth Mary widow of Nathaniel Williams of Boston and she died in 1661. Peter Brackett made his will on 19 May 1673

Richard Brackett was baptized on 16 Sep 1610 at St. Gregory’s in Sudbury, England. Richard married on 16 Jan 1633/4 at St. Katherine by the tower, London to Alice Blower. Alice was the daughter of Thomas and Alice (Frost) Blower of Stanstead, England. They went to New England and had eight children. Richard Brackett died on 05 Mar 1689/90 at the age of about 80 years at Quincy, Massachusetts. Alice (Blower) Brackett died on 03 Nov 1690 at the age of about 76 years

Rachel Brackett was baptized 28 April 1614 at All Saints in Sudbury, England. She married on 27 May 1630 at All Saints to Francis Newcomb. They had children: Rachel baptized 13 Nov 1631, John baptized 08 Aug 1634 and eight more children born in New England. This family sailed with her mother and her second husband to New England on the “Planter” in the year1635 

Jonathan Brackett was baptized on 04 Oct 1616 at All Saints in Sudbury, England. He was born after his father’s death and probably died young as no further record of him has been found. 

Rachel’s Saunders children were: Mary b. 1619, Martin b. 1621-d.1622, Leah b.1623, Judith b.1625, John b.1627, Martin b.1630-d.1706 and Daniel b.1631 d. 1634. All of them were born in England before they sailed for New England. 

Richard Brackett was baptized on 16 Sep 1610 at St. Gregory’s in Sudbury, England. At the age of six he was left fatherless. At the age of 20 he sailed for New England with the Winthrop Fleet and was in Massachusetts as early as 27 Aug 1630 when he was among the organizers of the First Church of Boston. He returned to England and married Alice Blower in London on 16 January 1633/4. Alice like Richard had grown up in Sudbury, England. They were our immigrant ancestors.