(1588?-1665), one of the founders and the first governor of Massachusetts Bay Colony. He was born in Dorchester, England, and joined the exodus of Puritans to the New World in 1628. He was acting governor of the colony during the following year and was elected governor in 1644, 1649 and annually from 1651 to 1665, except 1654. Endicott was a warm disciple of Roger Williams and always displayed independence of established custom and authority. He was responsible for the establishment of a colonial mint in 1652. During his administration several Quakers were put to death in Boston.