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Brackett is a rare English surname, found in Co. Norfolk in 1574. The Genealogical and Family History of the State of New Hampshire, Vol. III, 1908, by Ezra S. Stearns, p. 1013 states that the surname was originally Brocket and from Wales, that four brothers of the name came with Gov. Winthrop in 1630 and were believed to be natives of Scotland (Capt. Richard who settled in Boston and then Braintree, Peter who settled in Conn., William and Anthony who came to Portsmouth, NH in 1631 with John Mason)[this source is not always reliable!]. C.E.Banks' "Topographical Dict..." states he emigrated from Salisbury, Wiltshire, England to Portsmouth, NH. John Brockett [sic] arrived at Boston on the "Hector" 06-26-1637 with the Rev. John Davenport and Theophilus Eaton [Eaton served as Gov. of Conn.]; the group travelled to New Haven from Boston in the summer of 1638 and settled there; this John was born in England, 1609, was a surveyor and civil engineer, etc. - see "The Desc. of John Brockett..." (1905).
The Bracket Genealogy (1896) infers Anthony Brackett came from Scotland and that he deeded "glebe lands" to the church wardens at Portsmouth for a parsonage. The Leonard Weeks Genealogy (1888, p.130) states in 1640 he with 19 others conveyed 50 acres to the church wardens of Portsmouth for establishing a church, and reports he arrived in 1631 and settled at Strawberry point (Portsmouth, NH) and died in 1691.
The Bracketts of Maine and New Hampshire descend from Anthony Brackett of Portsmouth, NH. On 01-13-1652 a 30-acre grant was voted to Anthony Brackett and on 03-04-1652 the land was laid out to the people of Sandy Beach, including Anthony. On 09-19-1678 Anthony purchased land at Sandy Beach. [Note: Sandy Beach is now Rye, NH.] Anthony was in Portsmouth by 1650, when he sold his house there. Anthony was a town selectman and owned a productive farm.
On Tuesday, 09-28-1691 a band of American Indians descended upon the community killing 21 persons among whom were Anthony Brackett and his wife, and capturing two children of his son, John. His will was made 09-11-1691.©Copyright Al Myers, 1996
To Anthony Brackett narrative.
To the descendants of Anthony Brackett