(1611-1674) British merchant, Plymouth Colony trader and sea-captain, Commissioner of New Netherlands, magistrate of Plymouth colony. Appointed as Mayor of New York on June 12, 1665 by Governor Richard Nicolls. and on August 23 as a commissioner of admiralty. Councillor under Governor Richard Lovelace. Retired 1673 when New York fell to the Dutch.
Son was Major Thomas Willett of the militia of Queens county, councillor under Governor Sir Edmund Andros and Henry Sloughter.
Great-grandson Marinus Willett (1740-1830) was a lieutenant in General James Abercrombie's expedition to Fort Ticonderoga in 1758. Also a leader of the Sons of Liberty in New York cityHe became Captain in General Richard Montgomery's force, then as lieutenant-colonel of the 3rd New York Regiment. Member of General Washington's army in New Jersey (1778) and General John Sullivan (1779). Elected to the state assembly 1780-1784, sheriff of New York 1784-1792. He was appointed as brigadier-general, but declined. He then became Mayor of New York after De Wilt Clinton was removed from the office 1807-1810. Willett became Lieutenant-governor.