Samuel Maverick (colonist)

Samuel Maverick (c. 1602 – c. 1670) was a 17th-century English colonist in what is Massachusetts state. Arriving ahead of the Winthrop Fleet, Maverick became one of the earliest settlers, one of the largest landowners and one of the first slave-owners in Massachusetts. He signed his name as "Mavericke".

Maverick was born around 1602 to the Anglican priest John Maverick and Mary Gye; his father was one of the first ministers in Dorchester, Massachusetts upon migrating to the colony in 1630. Samuel's brother, Moses Maverick is also an important historical figure, in Marblehead, Massachusetts.

Samuel Maverick was in North America in 1623/4, after explorer Capt. Christopher Levett, before his father's arrival in Dorchester some years later. Samuel Maverick first settled at Winnissimet, the area of previously failed colony of Wessagussut.

Maverick settled in the area of modern-day Boston, after his arrival in Massachusetts, which he later claimed was in 1624. Some historians have suggested that Maverick arrived in the area with English explorer Capt. Christopher Levett, who made an exploration of the New England coast about that time.) Maverick built a fortified house to ward against Indian attacks and armed it with four guns. It is said to be the first permanent house in Massachusetts.

In 1628 Maverick married Amias, widow of fellow colonist David Thompson, who had been sent by Sir Ferdinando Gorges as an early explorer and settler to New Hampshire, and later settled on present-day Thompson Island in Boston Harbor. After Thompson's death, his wife inherited his properties, including Noddle's Island, the site of present-day Logan Airport. Maverick and Amias had three children, and Amias had a son from her previous marriage.

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