Family Groups
Fuller Family from GSMD
Edward Fuller traveled on the Mayflower with his wife, (name unknown), and son Samuel. Edward’s brother, Samuel Fuller was also a passenger.
Edward was baptized at Redenhall, Norfolk, England, 4 September 1575, the son of Robert and Sara (Dunkhorn) Fuller. The date and place of his marriage is unknown.
Edward was a signer of the Mayflower Compact, signed on 11 November 1620, when the ship was at Provincetown, on the tip of Cape Cod.
Both Edward and his wife died during the general sickness the first winter of 1620/21. Twelve-year-old Samuel, now orphaned, was taken in by his uncle, Dr. Samuel Fuller.
Samuel Fuller Jr. received three acres in the 1623 land division, for himself and his parents as passengers on the Mayflower. In the 1627 cattle division, he is listed as “Jr.” with Samuel Fuller (his uncle).
Soule Family from GSMD
George Soule traveled on the Mayflower as a servant to Edward Winslow.
His origins are unknown, although research conducted by Caleb Johnson in 2009 suggests the possibility of George, son of William and Joan Soule, who was baptized at Tingrith, Bedford, England, 9 February 1594/95. George married at Plymouth, circa 1626, Mary/Marie Bucket who arrived on the Anne in 1623. Marie’s origins are unknown; she died at Duxbury, in December 1676. George died at Duxbury, between 20 September 1677 and 22 January 1678/79.
George was a signer of the Mayflower Compact, on 11 November 1620 while the ship was anchored at Provincetown Harbor. This tells us he was at least 21 years old, thus born in 1599 or earlier. He received one acre in the 1623 land division as did Marie Bucket. George is listed in the 22 May 1627 cattle division with wife Mary and son Zakariah.
George often served as juror and was frequently on committees for Duxbury as a deputy. In 1637 his name is on the list of those who volunteered as soldiers if the need came up. He was granted a garden place on the “Ducksborrow side” by Powder Point in 1637 and other lands there in 1638. In 1640 he was granted meadow at Greens Harbor.
In 1659, Goodwife Soule, the wife of George Soule of Duxbury, and others, were presented to the court for absenting themselves from public worship; they were fined 10s.
The will of George Soule is dated 11 August 1677, but it is the codicil, dated 20 September 1677 that proves interesting; apparently there was some animosity between son John, and his sister, Patience. The codicil states that if John “disturbed” Patience, then Patience would receive the house and lands at Duxbury, and she would be the sole executrix of his will.
Allerton Family from GSMD
Isaac and Mary (Norris) Allerton were accompanied on the voyage by their three children, Bartholomew (aged about 7), and daughters Remember (about 5) and Mary (about 3). Also with them was John Hooke, an apprentice of about 12 years of age who died the first winter.
Isaac has been identified as the son of Bartholomew and Mary ( ) Allerton, born probably in East Bergholt, co. Suffolk, England, circa 1587. Isaac had a sister, Sarah, and it is believed that Mayflower passenger John Allerton may have been a brother.
Isaac married in Leiden, Holland on 4 November 1611, Mary Norris of Newbury; it was here that the Allerton children were born. An unnamed child was buried at Leyden on 5 February 1619/20. Mary was expecting a child when the voyage set out, and she was delivered of a stillborn son on board ship at Plymouth Harbor on 22 December 1620. Mary herself died at Plymouth two months later, on 25 February 1620/21.
Isaac’s sister Sarah (Allerton) (Vincent)(Priest) Cuthbertson/Godbertson, came to Plymouth in the Anne in 1623 with her husband, Godbert Godbertson, their son Samuel Godbertson, and her two daughters Mary and Sarah Priest. Sarah’s second husband was Degory Priest, a Mayflower passenger who, traveling alone, did not survive the first winter.
Isaac was one of the first five signers of the Mayflower Compact and would go on to serve as Assistant to Governor William Bradford for several years. He was the colony’s agent, making numerous trips to London to purchase supplies and negotiate agreements. It was his mingling of personal and colony business on such trips that saw him fall from favor with Plymouth leaders and be removed of his duties.
Isaac married circa 1626, as his second wife, Fear Brewster, daughter of Elder William Brewster. They had two children, Sarah (no further record) and Isaac, before Fear’s death circa 1633 during the epidemic that took many lives in Plymouth. It would appear from the colony records that Isaac Jr. was reared by the Brewsters and the Elder placed the boy with his son Love Brewster.
While Isaac is found in New Amsterdam as early as 1639, he still had dealings and land holdings in Plymouth. He married a third time, probably in New Haven, circa 1641-45, Joanna Swinnerton, who was likely a widow.
Isaac is one of the most colorful of the Pilgrims, his adventures are mentioned numerous times in the records of Plymouth, Salem, New Amsterdam, New York, and New Haven, and in the works of Bradford, Winthrop, Lechford and Aspinwall. He escaped from a burning house in Marblehead in 1634; in 1635, one of his boats was cast away in a violent tempest and 21 persons drowned; in 1636 his boat was cast upon an island and he was stranded for 10 days; and in 1645, he and his wife with others, were cast away in a great storm and snow, but everyone was saved. A plaque can be found in Manhattan where Isaac had a warehouse and home between 1647 and 1659.
Isaac died in New Haven, CT between February 1 -12, 1658/59, the dates of a court appearance, and the date his inventory was taken.
Chilton Family from GSMD
James Chilton brought his wife and daughter Mary on the voyage of the Mayflower. Only Mary survived the first winter and James did not even reach Plymouth. He signed the Mayflower Compact on 11 November 1620 and died a month later, on 8 December 1620 at Provincetown when the ship was anchored in Cape Cod Harbor. It is not known when Mary’s mother died.
James was born circa 1556 at St. Paul’s Parish, Canterbury, Kent, England, the son of Lyonell Chilton. (His mother is believed to be Edith ( ) Chilton.) James had 10 children: Isabel, Jane, Mary (died young), Joel, Elizabeth, James, Ingle, Christian, James and Mary.
Bradford tells us that another of Chilton’s daughters came over, which was likely around 1629 or 1630 when many more of the Leiden congregation emigrated. Isabel Chilton married Roger Chandler in Leiden in 1615 and it is Roger who is found in Plymouth records, the earliest being in 1633. The Chilton Silver Book credits marriages to three daughters, Sarah, Mary and Martha, who accompanied them.
James was a tailor. The family moved to Sandwich County, Kent, England by 1601, when the wife of James Chilton was excommunicated from the church of England for attending a private burial of a child. The family disappears from records until 1615, when daughter Isabel married Roger Chandler in Leiden. In 1619 James and daughter Ingle were attacked by a group of boys who thought they were Arminian. Chilton was hit in the head with a stone and sought the aid of a surgeon. Plans were already underway for the group to leave Holland for the New World.
Legend has it that young Mary Chilton was the first to step upon a rock which became known as Plymouth Rock, a stepping-stone used by passengers to come ashore. In the 1623 land division, Marie Chilton is listed and would have received three acres, and in the Cattle Division dated 22 May 1627, Mary was now married to John Winslow. John was a passenger on the Fortune which arrived in Plymouth in 1621, and he was the brother of Mayflower passengers Edward and Gilbert Winslow. These Winslow brothers were the sons of Edward and Magdalene (Oliver) Winslow; John was baptized at St. Peters, Droitwich County, Worcester, England, 16 April 1597 and died at Boston between 12 March 1673/74 and 21 May 1674 (will & probate). Mary (Chilton) Winslow was baptized at St. Peter’s Parish, Sandwich County, Kent, England 31 May 1607 (not 30 May) and died at Boston, between 31 July 1676 and 1 May 1679 (will & executor refused).
John and Mary Winslow lived in Plymouth for many years raising their ten children: John, Susanna, Mary, Edward, Sarah, Samuel, Joseph, Isaac, a child and Benjamin Winslow. By 1655, they moved to Boston so that John could advance in his trade as a merchant.
Alden Family from GSMD
John Alden was one of the single men who traveled on the Mayflower. He was recruited at Southampton to be a cooper on the voyage. John’s parentage and origins are unknown; he was born by 1599 to be old enough to sign the Mayflower Compact.
John married at Plymouth, circa 1623, Priscilla Mullins who came on the Mayflower with her parents, William and Alice Mullins, and her brother Joseph. Priscilla alone survived the first winter. John died 12 September 1687 and was buried at Duxbury. Priscilla’s death date is unknown, however she is said to have been present at the 1680 funeral of Governor Josiah Winslow. Gravestones for the couple were placed in the Old Duxbury cemetery in the 1950’s. At his death in 1687, John was described as the “ancient Magistrate of Plymouth.”
John was a signer of the Mayflower Compact, 11 November 1620, while the ship was anchored at Provincetown. In the 1623 land division he would have been granted one acre. In the 1627 Cattle Division he is listed with wife Priscilla, daughter Elizabeth and son John.
In 1634, John was involved in an incident at Kennebeck where a violent quarrel broke out about trading rights and two men were killed, one being John Hocking. John Alden happened to be in Boston at the time arranging supplies for the trading post and was arrested, being the nearest official of Plymouth Colony, but was released when the events became known.
John was respected in the community and by 1633, and for many years after, served the town as one of the Assistants to the Governor. He often served on committees to set land boundaries and determine taxes, and as the colony’s treasurer. In 1660, having spent many years working for the colony, and at that time being “low in his estate,” he was granted a “gratuity” of £10. In fact, he continued as an Assistant right up to 1686, the year before his death. In one area John was said to be a disappointment, being a “notorious persecutor” of Quakers that came before him in court.
In a deposition dated 6 July 1682, John Alden, Esq. testified that he was “aged 83 yeers, or thereabouts, testifyeth and saith, That I…being one of the first comers into New England, to settle att or about Plymouth, which now is about 62 yeer since, doth know…that the little iland lying neare the southerly point of Mount Hope neck, called by the Indians Chessawanucke, by the English Hoge Iland, did then belonge…to the said Sachem Osmequin.”
Billington Family from GSMD
John Billington, wife Elinor/Ellen and sons, John, age about 16, and Francis, age about 14, traveled on the Mayflower. The origins of the family have not yet been proven, however son Francis is mentioned in the records of Spalding, Lincolnshire where he is named one of two heirs to a “lease for three lives,” by Francis Longland. The land is in Cowbit, hear Spaulding, co. Lincolnshire, England. In 1650, a survey of the Manor of Spalding, was undertaken to determine if the two heirs were still living, and it was noted that Francis Billington, age about 40, was living in New England.
John Billington, a signer of the Mayflower Compact, is believed to have been born around 1580; he married by 1604, Elinor ( ), and died in September or October 1630 when he was executed for murder. Elinor married 2) in 1638, Gregory Armstrong who predeceased her. Elinor’s origins are unknown, she died at Plymouth after 2 March 1642/43 when she is mentioned in a deed. Ellen was found guilty of slander in June 1636, and sentenced to be “sett in the stocks and be whipt” and to pay a £5 fine.
Bradford stated that he did not know how the Billingtons became associated with the voyage or the passengers, saying of John Sr. that he “and some of his” had often been punished. In fact, John committed the first crime in the colony for “his contempt of the captain’s lawful command,” refusing to obey orders and was ordered to have his neck and heels tied together. In 1630 John was found guilty by “plain and notorious evidence,” of the “willful murder,” of John Newcomen who died after being shot.
John’s sons made life interesting in the early days of the colony. On 5 December 1620, while the Mayflower was anchored off Cape Cod and he was on board, Francis shot a gun near a barrel of gun powder causing a fire which could have been devastating but “through God’s mercy was quickly put out.” Another time, about the beginning of January 1620/21, while exploring about three miles from Plymouth, Francis climbed a tree and thought he had discovered a great sea; this turned out to be two ponds which are still called “Billington’s Sea” today.
John Billington Jr. had his own adventure when he became lost in the woods while exploring alone in July 1621. He survived five days on berries and whatever else he could find. He was found and cared for by the Native Americans and was taken to Nauset on Cape Cod where ten Pilgrim men traveled to retrieve him, finding him “behung with beads.” He must have had many stories to tell when he returned to Plymouth!
Mullins Family from GSMD
William Mullins traveled on the Mayflower with his wife Alice, children Joseph and Priscilla, and servant Robert Carter; only Priscilla would survive the first winter and spring.
William is believed to be the son of John and Joan (Bridger) Mullins, born at Dorking, Surrey, England, circa 1572. He married, date and place unknown, Alice ( ) who is known only from his will.
William was a signer of the Mayflower Compact, on 11 November 1620 when the Mayflower was anchored off Provincetown. He died at Plymouth, 21 February 1620/21. He made his nuncupative will, likely the day he died; it was copied 1 April 1621 so that it could be taken back to England on the Mayflower’s return trip. He included wife Alice and son, Joseph, and his servant, which tells us they were still living at that time.
Howland Family from GSMD
John Howland was a single man when he traveled on the Mayflower, as a servant of John Carver.
John was probably born at Fenstanton, Huntingdonshire, circa 1598-99, the son of Henry and Margaret Howland. He died at Kingston, 23 February 1672/73. John married at Plymouth, circa 1623, Elizabeth Tilley. Elizabeth and her parents, John and Joan (Hurst) Tilley were also passengers on the Mayflower. Elizabeth was baptized at Henlow, Bedford, England, 30 August 1607; she died at Swansea, 21 December 1687.
Bradford relates that during the voyage, “in a mighty storm, a lusty young man called John Howland… [was] thrown into sea; but it pleased God that he caught hold of the topsail halyards which hung overboard…till he was hauled up…and then with a boat hook…his life saved. And though he was something ill with it, yet he lived many years after and became a profitable member both in church and commonwealth.”
John received four acres in the 1623 land division; in addition to himself, these shares would be for his wife Elizabeth, and her parents who died the first winter. In the 1627 cattle division he is listed with wife Elizabeth, and children John Jr. and Desire Howland.
From his beginnings as a servant, John rose quickly in status; he was the head of his group of 13 people in the 1627 cattle division and by 1633 he was serving as an Assistant to the Governor. He also served many times as deputy, surveyor of highways and land, grand juror and selectman.
Standish Family from GSMD
Myles Standish was accompanied on the Mayflower by his wife Rose. She did not survive the first winter, dying 29 January 1620/21.
Myles, was born prob. on the Isle of Man, circa 1584; he died at Duxbury, 3 October 1656. He married first, Rose ( ), and they had no known children. He married second, at Plymouth, between July 1623 and March 1623/24, Barbara ( ) whose identity is unknown; she was called “Mrs. Standish” in the 1623 land division where she received one acre.
Standish was a signer of the Mayflower Compact, signed on 11 November 1620, when the ship was anchored at Provincetown. He received two acres in the 1623 land division. In the 1627 cattle division he is listed with his second wife Barbara and sons Charles, Alexander and John Standish.
Standish’s experience proved valuable during the three exploration parties on Cape Cod during the cold and wet days of November and early December 1620, as they searched for the best place to begin their settlement. It’s quite astonishing that while most of the other men who were also on these expeditions became very ill and succumbed to their ailments, that Standish was one of the few who did not.
On 17 February 1620/21, Standish was chosen their Captain; he never balked when it came to dealing with the Native Americans, but as their Captain, he always led the way, sometimes a little too forcefully. He was described by his contemporaries as “a man of very little stature, yet of a very hot and angry temper.” He served in other capacities as well, such as treasurer, and as Assistant to the Governor almost continually from about 1635 until his death. He died at Duxbury 3 October 1656.
In 1645, the Commissioners of the United Colonies were raising an army for the expected war with the Narragansetts. Forty armed men from Plymouth were under the command of Captain Standish. In 1646, Standish was chosen with six others for the Council of War, and in 1654 was appointed the Commander in Chief of 50 men from ten towns, for the expedition against the Dutch, saying his “approved fidelitie and abillitie wee have had long experience…whose wisdom and discretion…”
Warren Family from GSMD
Richard Warren traveled alone on the Mayflower, choosing to leave his wife and five daughters behind. He survived the general sickness of the first winter of 1620/21 in Plymouth, however he died eight years later.
He is said to be “of London” but may have been born in the Hertford area of England (where he was married), likely around 1585. He married at Great Amwell, Hertford, 14 April 1610, Elizabeth Walker. Elizabeth was baptized at Baldock, Hertford, in September 1583, the daughter of Augustine Walker. She died at Plymouth, 2 October 1673, 46 years after the death of her husband, never remarrying. [With 56 grandchildren, Elizabeth didn’t have time to remarry again!]
Elizabeth arrived on the Anne in 1623 with their five daughters. Richard received two acres in the 1623 land division for himself and his wife and received an additional five acres for his five daughters. In the cattle division dated 22 May 1627, he is listed with his wife Elizabeth, daughters Mary, Anna, Sara, Elizabeth and Abigail; and sons born at Plymouth, Nathaniel and Joseph Warren.
Richard was a signer of the Mayflower Compact, on 11 November 1620, while the ship was anchored in Provincetown Harbor. He participated in the early explorations of the Cape Cod area in search of a suitable place to establish the new colony. He was also a member of the party that first came upon the Indians in what has later been referred to as the First Encounter.
Hopkins Family from GSMD
Stephen Hopkins was one of the most adventurous of the passengers aboard the Mayflower. He traveled with his second wife, Elizabeth (Fisher) Hopkins, and children Constanta, Giles and Damaris. Elizabeth was pregnant during the voyage and gave birth to a son Oceanus while at sea. Two indentured servants accompanied the family, Edward Doty and Edward Leister.
Stephen was baptized at All Saints Church, at Upper Clatford, Hampshire, England, on the last of April, 1581, the son of John and Elizabeth (Williams) Hopkins. He died at Plymouth, between 6 June and 17 July 1644. Stephen married 1) before 13 May 1604, Mary Kent; he married 2) at St. Mary Matfellon, Whitechapel, Middlesex, 19 February 1617/18, Elizabeth Fisher.
This was not Stephen’s first voyage to the New World. In 1609 he signed on as a minister’s clerk, aboard the Sea Venture at Plymouth, England, the flagship of a fleet of seven headed to Jamestown, along with Jamestown’s Governor Sir Thomas Gates and the Rev. Richard Buck. Stephen left his wife Mary and three children behind and would be gone seven years. After a hurricane which sent their damaged ship to Bermuda, they spent many months repairing it so they could continue to Jamestown. During this time, Stephen argued that the Governor had no authority over them while they were on land. He was found guilty of “Mutinie and Rebellion” and sentenced to death. He was so penitent, asking the court to consider the plight of his wife and children, that he was pardoned. The group eventually made their way to Jamestown and spent the next few years rebuilding the colony. When Stephen returned to England by 1616, he learned that his first wife had died.
Stephen Hopkins was a signer of the Mayflower Compact, signed at Provincetown, 11 November 1620. In the 1623 land division, he received six acres. The cattle division of 1627 lists he and his wife Elizabeth, with children Gyles, Caleb, Deborah, and daughter Constance and her husband Nicholas Snow.
Stephen’s experiences in Jamestown made him valuable to the Plymouth settlement. He helped determine a suitable place to settle, and his dealings with the Native Americans were especially helpful. When Samoset and Squanto began their visits to Plymouth in 1621, they were housed in Stephen Hopkins’ home. It was also Hopkins who was chosen by Governor Carver to go with Edward Winslow and first approach Massasoit.
Stephen went on to serve as an Assistant of the Governor for many years, however he sometimes found himself on the other side of the law. In 1636, in his office as Assistant, he was fined £5.40s for breaking the King’s peace in dangerously wounding John Tisdale. At least three times he was fined for allowing men to drink excessively at his house, and several times fined for charging excessive prices for liquor and goods.
Hopkins Family from GSMD
Stephen Hopkins was one of the most adventurous of the passengers aboard the Mayflower. He traveled with his second wife, Elizabeth (Fisher) Hopkins, and children Constanta, Giles and Damaris. Elizabeth was pregnant during the voyage and gave birth to a son Oceanus while at sea. Two indentured servants accompanied the family, Edward Doty and Edward Leister.
Stephen was baptized at All Saints Church, at Upper Clatford, Hampshire, England, on the last of April, 1581, the son of John and Elizabeth (Williams) Hopkins. He died at Plymouth, between 6 June and 17 July 1644. Stephen married 1) before 13 May 1604, Mary Kent; he married 2) at St. Mary Matfellon, Whitechapel, Middlesex, 19 February 1617/18, Elizabeth Fisher.
This was not Stephen’s first voyage to the New World. In 1609 he signed on as a minister’s clerk, aboard the Sea Venture at Plymouth, England, the flagship of a fleet of seven headed to Jamestown, along with Jamestown’s Governor Sir Thomas Gates and the Rev. Richard Buck. Stephen left his wife Mary and three children behind and would be gone seven years. After a hurricane which sent their damaged ship to Bermuda, they spent many months repairing it so they could continue to Jamestown. During this time, Stephen argued that the Governor had no authority over them while they were on land. He was found guilty of “Mutinie and Rebellion” and sentenced to death. He was so penitent, asking the court to consider the plight of his wife and children, that he was pardoned. The group eventually made their way to Jamestown and spent the next few years rebuilding the colony. When Stephen returned to England by 1616, he learned that his first wife had died.
Stephen Hopkins was a signer of the Mayflower Compact, signed at Provincetown, 11 November 1620. In the 1623 land division, he received six acres. The cattle division of 1627 lists he and his wife Elizabeth, with children Gyles, Caleb, Deborah, and daughter Constance and her husband Nicholas Snow.
Stephen’s experiences in Jamestown made him valuable to the Plymouth settlement. He helped determine a suitable place to settle, and his dealings with the Native Americans were especially helpful. When Samoset and Squanto began their visits to Plymouth in 1621, they were housed in Stephen Hopkins’ home. It was also Hopkins who was chosen by Governor Carver to go with Edward Winslow and first approach Massasoit.
Stephen went on to serve as an Assistant of the Governor for many years, however he sometimes found himself on the other side of the law. In 1636, in his office as Assistant, he was fined £5.40s for breaking the King’s peace in dangerously wounding John Tisdale. At least three times he was fined for allowing men to drink excessively at his house, and several times fined for charging excessive prices for liquor and goods.
Rogers Family from GSMD
Thomas Rogers and his son Joseph, age about 17, were passengers on the Mayflower.
Thomas was born at Watford, Northampton, England, circa 1572, the son of William and Eleanor ( ) Rogers. He died at Plymouth, in the general sickness of the first winter of 1620/21. Thomas married at Watford, 24 October 1597, Alice Cosford. Alice was baptized at Watford, 10 May 1573, the daughter of George and Margaret ( ) Cosford. It is likely that she died in Leiden as there is no evidence that she emigrated to Plymouth. The last mention of her is in the 1622 poll tax at Leiden where she is mentioned with children, Elizabeth, Margaret and John Rogers, who were all in a house for “poor people.” In the same household is found Elizabeth Turner whose father and two brothers were passengers, with all three dying the first winter. Interesting to note that Elizabeth Turner also came over from Leiden so it is likely she came over with the Rogers children. It is likely that when the Rogers children came over from Leiden, their mother was then deceased.
Thomas and his family removed to Leiden by 1617 when he purchased a house there. The family made the choice that only Thomas and son Joseph would travel on the Mayflower; when they were settled, Alice and the remaining children would come over. Unfortunately, with Thomas’ death just a few months later, there was no home for them to go to.
Thomas was a signer of the Mayflower Compact, while the ship was at the Provincetown Harbor, on 11 November 1620. In the 1623 land division, Joseph Rogers received two acres, one for himself and another for his father. In the 1627 cattle division, Joseph is in the group headed by William Bradford. It is likely that when his father died that first winter, Bradford took him in.
In 1636, Joseph Rogers operated a ferry over Jones River, near his dwelling house and he charged one penny per person. In 1639, Joseph is called “of Duxbury” when he was named as a surveyor of highways; at the same court, his brother John became a freeman. The brothers were sometimes mentioned together, as in 1640 when they were granted 50 acres. In 1647, Joseph was appointed Lieutenant in Eastham, “to exercise their men in armes.”
Bradford’s history states that Thomas Rogers’ other children came over, married and had many children. John Rogers has been identified, which means Elizabeth and Margaret Rogers likely came over with their brother, perhaps around 1629/30 (when some of the remaining family members in Leiden were brought over), however they have not yet been identified in Plymouth.
Bradford Family from GSMD
William Bradford and his wife Dorothy traveled on the Mayflower; they made the decision to leave behind their five-year old son, John, behind, and have him come later. Dorothy drowned 7 December 1620, accidentally falling overboard while the ship was anchored off Cape Cod Harbor.
William was the son of William & Alice (Hanson) Bradford, baptized at Austerfield, Yorkshire, on 19 March 1589/90. He died at Plymouth, 9 May 1657 and was buried on Burial Hill where a monument was placed in 1825. William married 1) at Amsterdam, 10 December 1613, Dorothy May (who was 16 years old); married 2) at Plymouth, 14 August 1623, Alice (Carpenter) Southworth. Alice was born, probably at Wrington, Somerset, circa 1595, the daughter of Alexander Carpenter. She married 1) at Leiden, 28 May 1613, Edward Southworth. Alice died at Plymouth, 26 or 27 March 1670.
William was a signer of the Mayflower Compact in 1620. He received three acres in the 1623 land division, and in the 1627 Cattle Division, is listed with wife “Alles” and children William Jr. and Mercy.
On 16 November 1620, while on an expedition on Cape Cod to find a place to settle, William unexpectedly stepped in a deer trap and up he went, hanging by his foot. It was on a similar trip in December 1620, when Bradford returned to the ship and learned of his wife’s death. On 11 January 1620/21, while at work, William became extremely ill and he was not expected to live. In time, he recovered but he was still so ill in April, that when he was elected Governor for the first time upon the death of their first Governor, John Carver, he requested an Assistant. During the general sickness that swept through Plymouth during their first few winter months, half their numbers died, so William was fortunate he survived.
A fire broke out on 14 January 1620/21 on the roof of the common house, which is where the sick were being taken care of during the general sickness. The damage was repairable, however it was their Governor, John Carver and William who then lay sick who sustained the most loss.
Governor Bradford didn’t expect his second marriage in 1623 to be such a big celebration, it wasn’t their way, however when news got out, the Native Americans came out in style. Massasoit arrived with his queen (one of five wives); four other kings and six score men. They didn’t come empty handed either, but brought three or four deer and a turkey.
William was a driving force in Plymouth, and served as Governor for many years. In the winter of 1657, he became ill, but said that he really didn’t feel that sick, but when spring came, he only worsened. When he died on 9 May 1657, in his 69th year, “he was lamented by all the colonies of New-England, as a common blessing and father to them all.”
Brewster Family from GSMD
William Brewster was accompanied on the Mayflower by his wife, Mary, and sons Love and Wrestling. Also with the family was four year old Maria/Mary Moore whose sister Ellen and brothers Richard and Jasper More had been placed with families making the voyage; brother Richard was the only child who survived. The Brewsters left three children behind in Holland, Jonathan, Patience and Fear, however Jonathan arrived in Plymouth a year later on the Fortune in 1621, and sisters Patience and Fear arrived on the Anne in 1623. Both sisters would die 10 years later during the 1633 epidemic that swept through Plymouth resulting in many deaths.
William Brewster, was the son of William and Mary (Smith) (Simkinson) Brewster, born probably at Scrooby, Nottinghamshire, between June 1566 and June 1567. The family lived at Scrooby, Nottinghamshire, when William, Sr. was appointed by the Archbishop of York as the receiver and bailiff of Scrooby Manor on 4 January 1575. On 3 December 1580, when he was about 14 years of age, young Brewster went off to Peterhouse College at Cambridge University, although he did not receive his degree. In 1585, William became secretary under William Davison and accompanied him on a diplomatic mission to the Netherlands, at the time at war with Spain.
By 1588, William had returned to Scrooby Manor where his father had been promoted to postmaster. He married, circa 1590 to 1593, Mary ( ) whose identity is unknown.
Upon assuming the throne following Queen Elizabeth’s death in 1603, King James reasserted the power of the church and opposed religious reformers, forcing them into hiding. Richard Clyfton of Babsworth had been preaching Puritan sermons as was John Smyth at nearby Gainsborough. In 1606, John Smyth and his congregation left for Amsterdam. John Robinson and his congregation began secretly meeting at Scrooby and the following year, William was discovered. He resigned from his position as Postmaster, collected his salary and left Scrooby.
William and others were summoned to appear in court, being cited for religious disobedience. As the families tried to flee England they were betrayed to the authorities; their belongings were seized and they were imprisoned. By 1608, the majority of the congregation had made their way safely to Amsterdam, however in 1609 they moved on to Leiden where they remained while planning their 1620 voyage.
While in Leiden, William established a printing press along with Thomas Brewer and Edward Winslow. Over the next two years, books and tracts declared illegal in England were being printed and smuggled into the country. At the request of the English Ambassador to Holland, Dutch authorities issued warrants for Brewster and Brewer but only Brewer could be located and he was sent back to England to stand trial.
William signed the Mayflower Compact on 11 November 1620 while the ship lay anchored at Provincetown. In 1623, he received six acres with his family as passengers on the Mayflower; son Jonathan received one acre as a passenger on the Fortune; and daughters Patience and Fear each received one acre as passengers on the Anne. In the 1627 Cattle Division, William Brewster’s group included his sons, Love, Wrestling and Jonathan Brewster; Jonathan’s wife, Lucretia; and grandchildren, William and Mary Brewster. In Leiden, William had been chosen an Elder of the church, and he continued as such in Plymouth, often leading the church when they did not have a minister.
William Brewster died at Duxbury, 10 April 1644 and his wife Mary died at Plymouth on 17 April 1627. Brewster was much respected throughout his life and his death was a blow to those around him; Bradford said that it was a “mater of great sadness and mourning to them all.”
White Family from GSMD
William White traveled on the Mayflower with his wife, Susanna (Jackson) White and five-year-old son Resolved; they were accompanied by two servants, William Holbeck and Edward Thomson who died soon after landing. Susanna gave birth to son, Peregrine, while still on board the Mayflower. William did not survive the first winter, dying on 21 February 1620/21 in the general sickness that took half their numbers away.
William signed the Mayflower Compact on 11 November 1620 while the ship was anchored at Provincetown. He was credited with receiving five acres for his family of five in the 1623 land division. In the 1627 Cattle Division, Susanna is found in the family of her second husband, Edward Winslow and their two children, Edward and John Winslow, as well as her two children, Resolved and Peregrine White.
Susanna remarried that spring, 12 May 1621, fellow Mayflower passenger, Edward Winslow. Edward lost his wife Elizabeth on 24 March 1620/21.
Susanna Jackson was born possibly at Scrooby, Nottinghamshire, England, circa 1594, the daughter of Richard and Mary (Pettinger) Jackson. Susanna died probably at Marshfield, between 18 December 1654 and 2 July 1675.
Quick Links
