Colonial governor of Massachusetts from 1679 to 1686, and from 1689 to 1692, born at Horbling, Lincolnshire, England, in March 1603; died at Salem, MA, on the 27th of March 1697. He was educated at Cambridge, and, having been chosen assistant judge of the court to be established in the Massachusetts colony, sailed for the New World, and arrived at Salem in 1630. During his public life of more than sixty years he held prominent and responsible government positions, in all of which he showed himself able and trustworthy. He visited England in 1660 as agent for the colony and to congratulate Charles II. on his restoration. Bradstreet opposed the witchcraft delusion at Salem in 1692. He was one of the founders of Cambridge, and was connected with the settling of others of the early New England towns.
