WILLIAM BRETT (William1) was born about 1648, probably in Bridgewater. He married about 1671 Elizabeth, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Godfrey) Cary, who was born at Duxbury, December 20, 1649. John Cary being the Town Clerk, took pains to record the births of his own children, but was not so careful regarding those of his neighbors, for which reason it is impossible to state exactly when or where William Brett was born. It may be that he being the eldest was born in Duxbury, but the records are not found. There is no doubt as to the approximate time. He died 1723, and his wife survived him, as she presented his will for probate. Both were buried in East Bridgewater.
Without doubt he was one of the leading men of his time in this section of the county. Moses Cary speaks of him as “the famous William Brett,” and like his father he was prominent in all church work, being early made a deacon in the church. In 1689 and 1690, and from 1702 to 1707 he was a member of the House of Representatives, and was made Justice of the peace, 1700. He took an active part in the war against the Indians, being a non-commissioned officer. In 1685 he, in common with his neighbors Thomas Whitman, Samuel Allen and others, petitioned for a bridge over the Matfield River, and his name often appears in the town records during his life.
The only child was (6) BETHIA, born about 1684, in what is now East Bridgewater.
Deacon William Brett by his will probated October 5, 1724, gives all his real and personal estate to be divided between his “Wife Elizabeth and only daughter Bethia Hayward, wife of Thomas.” Josiah Snell and Israel Packard made oath that they “saw ye above named William Brett sign seal and heard him declare ye above written Instrument to be his last will and testament and at ye same time they together with Seth Brett (deceased) set to their hands as witnesses,” etc., etc. Before me
Isaac WINSLOW, Judge of Probate.
