CLEEVE, John

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: England; Linen Draper

John married CAREY, Anna in 1591. Anna was born in 1554 in Somerset, England; died after 1618 in Somerset, England; was buried on 17 Nov 1601. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Differentiator: Founder of Portland, Maine; The Great Migration; Immigrant
• Historical Importance: Founder of Portland, Maine
• Web Address: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Cleeve
• Web Address: https://www.americanancestors.org/DB393/rd/12107/383/235175320
• Web Address: https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Cleeve-50
• Occupation: England; Vintner
• Immigration: 1630, Maine, USA
• Residence: 1633, Portland, Cumberland, Maine, USA; Founding of Portland
• Travel: 1636, England; Back and forth from Maine to England
• Travel: 1643, England; Back and forth from Maine to England

Notes:

George Cleve; Cleeve; Cleaves; CleevesComment:Esquire, as designated in the patent of Gorges to him 27 Jan. 1636, came to New England about 1630. Settled at Spurwink, built a house, planted, etc. having a promise from Gorges of 200 acres of land, as he claimed. In 1632 he bought a share in the patent which Richard Tucker had purchased of Richard Bradshaw. John Winter, as agent of Robert Trelawney, ejected him from the land in 1633, and seized upon his houses. [Testimony in Maine court at Saco June 25, 1641.] He had a lawsuit in court at Saco 25 March, 1636. He visited Boston in 1643 with Mr. Rigby, "a lawyer and a parliament man, wealthy and religious," who had purchased the "Plough Patent"; they sought to obtain the help of Mass. in establishing the claims of that patent; desired to join "the consociation of the United Colonies." [W.] He petitioned the Gen. Court of Mass. 5 (3) 1645, "on behalfe of the people of Ligonia," asking protection against the claims of Mr. Vines and others, basing his claims on the Rigby patent. [Mass. Arch. 3, 179.] As agent of "Collonell Alexander Rigby, President and proprietor for the province of Laconia," he leased lands in 1651. Took oath of allegiance to Mass. govt. 13 July, 1658. As deputy president of the Assembly of Lygonia, 22 (7) 1648, he was chairman of the committee to sit at Richmond Island and report on the estate of Winter.

He deeded 20 May, 1658, to his grandchild Nathaniel Mitten, land adjoining that formerly granted to his father Michael M. Was sued by Robert Jordan in 1659, and his goods attached in a rough manner; bed and clothing taken from his sick wife, then 87 years of age.

Nathaniel Mitten was alleged by "Richard Powssley of ffalmouth" in 1687, to have been a grandson of Cleve.

See also Bradshaw, Bucknall, Jordan, Macworth, Moses, Tucker, Winter.


George Cleeve was a vintner in England . George emigrated to what is now New England in 1630, settling first in Spurwink, Maine (near today's Cape Elizabeth), and at Falmouth (today's Portland) in 1633. In 1637, Sir Ferdinando Gorges granted George and associate Richard Tucker 1,500 acres at Machegonne (Portland Neck) that included the area of today's downtown Portland. George is known as the father of Portland, and a statue is erected in modern Portland commemorating this. His career was both contentious and litigious, engaged in frequent land disputes and vying with Gorges' Province of Maine for jurisdiction over the area north of Cape Porpoise. In a letter to Governor John Winthrop from a contemporary, he was described as"a firebrand of dissension and hath set the whole Province together by the ears."

He married Joan Price in England in 1618; George made several trips back and forth to England during his career and it is unknown on which trip she emigrated. Even before he left England, George was involved in a suit against his father-in-law, John Price. Not muchy is known of Joan's life but she is a docoumented "Gateway Ancestor" to royalty.

The early records of Maine are filled with less than admirable descriptives of his nature. His hatred for Ferdinando Gorges, and others of the titled class, was pronounced, and he attempted every coercion possible to defame those who stood in his way, or to misrepresent his aim to others in order to pursue his own gain. That he was initially, to those who knew nothing of his character, persuasive and charming, is apparent, but it was not long before he had alienated every person of power in both Maine and Massachusetts.

George married PRICE, Joan on 7 Sep 1618 in St Chadds Church, Cheshire, England. Joan (daughter of PRICE, John and JOAN) was born in 1584 in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England; died on 29 Sep 1662 in Falmouth, Cumberland, Maine, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Differentiator: The Great Migration; Immigrant; Father was founder of Portland, Maine
• Web Address: https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Cleeves-1

Elizabeth married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Elizabeth married MITTON, Michael in 1637 in Falmouth, Cumberland, Maine, USA. Michael was born about 1615 in Shropshire, England; died on 7 Oct 1661 in Falmouth, Cumberland, Maine, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Elizabeth married in 1663. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Differentiator: Killed by Indians; carried away to Quebec and died in captivity within the year.

Notes:

The story of Thomas Brackett and his wife Mary Mitton, as detailed in "The Bracketts of Peaks Island: An Introduction" by Reta Morrill, unfolds as a tale of early American settlers and their struggles. Thomas Brackett, a descendant of George Cleeve, one of Portland's first settlers, arrived in Boston from Scotland around 1629. He and his brother Anthony moved to Falmouth (now Portland) around 1662. Thomas married Mary Mitton, whose parents were Michael Mitton and Elizabeth Cleeve, George Cleeve's daughter.

Thomas Brackett's life was marked by tragedy during the turbulent times of Native American and settler conflicts. In 1676, he was killed by Native Americans, and his wife and children were taken captive. Mary Mitton Brackett died shortly after her capture, but their children survived and were eventually returned. One of their children, Joshua Brackett, who was only two years old at the time of his capture, grew up to father Joshua Jr. and Anthony, from whom the Bracketts and Trotts of Peaks Island descended.

The Brackett family's story is intertwined with the early settlement of New England and reflects the hardships and dangers of the time. Their legacy, particularly in Peaks Island and the broader region of Maine and New Hampshire, is a testament to their resilience and the challenging circumstances of early American life.

Mary married BRACKETT, Thomas in 1671 in USA. Thomas (son of BRACKETT, Anthony and (POSSIBLY PRICE), Eleanor Unknown) was born in 1635 in Strawberry Bank, Portsmouth, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA; died on 11 Aug 1676 in Falmouth, Cumberland, Maine, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Mary married in 1666. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Differentiator: Received 100 acres in her grandfather's will (George Cleeves); taken captive by indians but escaped

Notes:

In the tumultuous era of King Philip's War, a period marked by violent conflicts between Native American tribes and English settlers, the story of Ann Mitton Brackett and her family stands out as a remarkable tale of resilience and survival.

Ann Mitton, a granddaughter of George Cleeves, one of the earliest settlers and founders of Portland, Maine, then known as Casco, was married to Anthony Brackett. They lived on a farm along Back Cove, near the area that is now home to Deering Oaks and the University of Southern Maine campus. This picturesque region, with its abundant natural resources, was also a flashpoint for the escalating tensions between the English settlers and the Native American tribes.

The Bracketts, like many settlers, were caught in the crossfire of these growing hostilities. Their lives were upended in August 1676 when Simon, known as "the Yankee Killer," a Native American who had escaped from captivity in Massachusetts, led a war party in a surprise attack against Casco. The Brackett family, including Ann and Anthony, their children, and a slave, were captured during this raid.

The capture of the Brackett family was a harrowing experience, but it was Ann's ingenuity and skills that turned the tide. Known for her adeptness in needlework, Ann played a crucial role in their escape. She skillfully repaired a damaged canoe, which the family then used to navigate across Casco Bay. This daring escape was a testament to Ann's resourcefulness and determination to save her family from captivity.

After a perilous journey across the bay, the Brackett family reached Black Point. There, they found a vessel bound for Piscataqua, which offered them safe passage and a route to freedom. This escape was not just a physical journey but also a symbol of the resilience and courage that many settlers had to summon in the face of adversity.

The story of Ann Mitton Brackett and her family is set against the backdrop of King Philip's War, a conflict that had far-reaching consequences for both the Native American tribes and the English settlers. The war, characterized by its brutality and the profound sense of fear it instilled in the communities, marked a significant chapter in the history of New England.

Ann Mitton Brackett's story is a poignant reminder of the individual struggles and acts of bravery that occurred during this turbulent period in American history. Her actions not only ensured the survival of her family but also left a legacy of courage and resilience that continues to be remembered and honored.

Family/Spouse: BRACKETT, Capt Anthony. Capt (son of BRACKETT, Anthony and (POSSIBLY PRICE), Eleanor Unknown) was born on 14 Jul 1636 in Portsmouth, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA; died on 21 Sep 1689 in Falmouth, Cumberland, Maine, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Differentiator: Killed by Indians

Notes:

Cattle precipitated the events of August 11, 1676 but probably provided only the immediate circumstance. On the 9th, neighboring Indians killed one of Anthony Brackett's cows. The circumstances are now unknown, but surely the Indians were making a point. Brackett was promised assistance in finding the culprits by an Indian named Simon whom, as historian William Willis' writes, "insinuated himself into his (Brackett's) confidence". This Simon turned out to be the Yankee Killer from Metacomet's army. He had recently escaped from Dover prison where he was held for murders committed during the previous summer. Simon is said to have had a "counterfeit pass". It is unlikely the Casco settlers knew any of this, but they were suspicious enough to send a report to Major Waldron at Dover. Travel was difficult, and communications were bad.

Simon promised to bring the cattle slayers to Brackett, and he did. Very early on the morning of the 12th, Simon arrived with a war party whom he said killed the cow. Hardly contrite, the Indians ransacked the house and confiscated all the guns. Brackett asked the meaning of all this; he must have been stunned as it was obvious what was happening. Simon reputedly replied, "So it must be." Certainly it must, if the Indians were to reassert some control over their homelands.

Brackett and his family were given the choice of submission to their captors or death. Ann Brackett's brother, Nathaniel Mitton, was visiting at the time. Mitton was unmarried and possibly quite a young man which might explain what happened next. He "offered some resistance" and was immediately killed. Certainly, this example provided the Brackett's with adequate incentive for submissive behavior. The two parents, five children and a Negro slave were bound together and carried off into captivity.