Rev. Peter Buckley

Peter married Jane Allen. (Jane Allen died in Dec 1626 in Odell, Co. Bedford, England.)

Peter was ordained deacon and priest Jun 1608, Canon of Litchfield 1609, and University preacher 1610. He was instituted 12 Jan 1609/10 as Rector at Odell, "compounded" 9 May 1610 (paid of one year's salary to the Bishop).

"To too many ministers of Bulkeley's generation, the ministry was merely a convenient and genteel way of obtaining a livelihood. We can easily understand how Puritanism, with its earnestness and its definite program of reform, should appeal to many sincere and devout clergymen. We must believe that these were the motives which led Peter Bulkeley to adopt Puritanism. For a long period, his official superiors were satisfied to overlook his lack of strict conformity with the practices of the English Church. The situation changed when Archbishop Laud came into power, for he was determined to rid the church of non-conformist ministers.

"The crisis came in 1634, when Mr. Bulkeley was suspended for non-attendance at the visitation of Sir Nathaniel Brent, Vicar-General. Afterwards he came and confessed that he never used the surplice nor the cross in baptism, 'accounting them ceremonies, superstitions and dissentaneous to the holy Word of God.' This of course meant that unless he admitted his error and showed a willingness to yield to the opinions of his ecclesiastic superiors, sooner or later he would lose his encumbency. Feeling a call to continue the preaching of the gospel, he decided to come to New England where he would be secure from the persecutions of Archbishop Laud. His case was apparently allowed to drag, and it is possible that he secured delays through the influence of some of his highly-placed comlections. At any rate, his successor at Odell, Henry Levit, S.T.B., was not instituted as Rector until 1 July 1635, over a month after Mr. Bulkeley had left the shores of England."

Peter's son came to New England before the rest of the family, which soon followed. The family managed to escape England by obscuring their intention to leave. On 13 Apr 1635 "Jo: Backley" aged 15 was entered on the list for those accepted for sailing on the Susan & Ellen. Five days later, "Ben: Buckley" and 11 (probably Joseph), and "Daniel Buckley" aged 9 were entered. On 8 May 1635 "Grace Bulkley" aged 33 (Peter's recent bride, his second wife) was entered on the list for the Elizabeth & Ann, and the next day "Peter Bulkley" aged 50 was entered on the list for the Susan & Ellen. Jacobus speculates that through some subterfuge that Grace did not board the Elizabeth & Ann, but the Susan & Ellen with her family. Although the name of Thomas (who was then 18) does not appear on a shipping list of a ship bound for New England, he probably arrived in New England about the same time as the rest of the family, perhaps with them on the Susan & Ellen. (A "Tho: Bulkley" aged 32, 15 May 1635, appears on the shipping list of the Plaine Joan, bound for Virginia.)