Thomas Willett

Thomas Willett (1611-1674) was a British merchant, Plymouth Colony trader and sea-captain, Commissioner of New Netherlands, and a magistrate of Plymouth Colony. He was appointed Mayor of New York on June 12, 1665, by Governor Richard Nicolls, and as a commissioner of admiralty on August 23. He was a Councillor under Governor Richard Lovelace. He retired in 1673 when New York fell to the Dutch.

His son was Major Thomas Willett of the militia of Queens County, and a councillor under Governors Sir Edmund Andros and Henry Sloughter.

His great-grandson was Marinus Willett (1740-1830), who 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 city, he became Captain in General Richard Montgomery's force, then as lieutenant-colonel of the 3rd New York Regiment. He was a member of General Washington's army in New Jersey (1778) and General John Sullivan's in (1779). Elected to the State Assembly for the terms 1780-1784, and as sheriff of New York for 1784-1792. He was appointed as brigadier-general, but declined. He then became Mayor of New York after De Witt Clinton was removed from office, for the period 1807-1808. Willett later became Lieutenant-governor.