Peter Bulkley (31 January 1583 – 9 March 1659, last name also spelled Bulkeley) was an influential early Puritan minister who left England for greater religious freedom in the American colony of Massachusetts.

[2] Bulkley was born in Odell, Bedfordshire, England, and admitted to St. John's College at Cambridge University at the age of sixteen, where he received several degrees.

He was ordained at Cambridge, Massachusetts, in April 1637, and "having carried a good number of planters with him into the woods",[4] became the first minister in Musketaquid, later named Concord.

Bulkley was an influential religious leader who "carried a good number of planters with him into the woods";[citation needed] Willard was a canny trader who spoke the Algonquian language and had gained the trust of Native Americans.

)[11] In 1643, he was the author and the first signer of a petition sent to Governor John Endecott in favor of Ambrose Martin, who was fined for speaking negatively towards the Puritan church and consequently met significant financial hardship.

Peter sailed on the ship "Susan & Ellen" to New England in May 1635, with three of his sons by his first wife, Benjamin* (11), Daniel (9) and "Jo:" (15) "Buckley".

[14]: 78 His grandson, the Honorable Peter Bulkeley, Esquire (son of Edward), born 3 January (11th month) 1640/41, died May 1688, married Rebecca Wheeler in 1667, was a Fellow of Harvard University, a Massachusetts Freeman (franchised voter), and a Commissioner of the United Colonies.

As a matter of fact, the reference by Sibley has "merged" these two Peters into one entity, as examination of records, including those at Harvard University, will show.