Signed the Dover Combination of 22 Oct 1640. Protested the annexation to Massachusetts in 1641.

Lt William in 1640 sent security to George Druell, mariner, of London, for passage of wife Hosanna & daughter Elizabeth.

Lt. William married 2nd Rose who died aft. 1675.

A grant of 200 acres made to William Pomfret in 1656 (Dover Records) was "laid out" on 24 October 1719, one hundred of the acres going to Ephraim Wentworth.

The name Pomfret comes from Pontefract. The name means 'broken bridge' and is part French, part Latin. Pontefract was the name of a famous castle and town in Yorkshire built by Ilbert de Lacy, one of Willliam the Conqueror's barons, who was given lands in Yorkshire as a reward for assisting William in conquering England.

In 1090 the name Pontefract was in the records. In 1190 it occurs under the spelling Pumfrate, reflecting the Nornam/French pronunciation. Shakespeare referred to "bloody Pomfret" castle in 'Richard 11' (Richard was imprisoned and murdered here). Pontefract Castle was enormous. It was beseiged many times during the Civil War, and the township suffered greatly. It was finally surrendered in 1649 and the local townsfolk demanded it be torn down. The ruins of the castle stand today.

Many Yorkshire people carry the name Pomfret. Ilbert de Lacy was also given lands in Lancashire, in the Blackburn area, and many Pomfrets live there, too. It is possible they took this name as a surname during the Middle Ages when surnames became customary, e.g. John of Pomfret would become simply John Pomfret.

Had a clerkly education, showing elegant penmanship, correct English, and some Latin.2, 33:97