Letters from the Mayflower – Dorothy May Bradford
Self-published, 160 pages
Contact: Libby Robertson
Email: libbyrobertson331@gmail.com
Phone: (812) 322-3608
BLOOMINGTON AUTHOR CELEBRATES MAYFLOWER 400th ANNIVERSARY WITH FICTIONAL ACCOUNT OF PASSENGER’S LIFE
Bloomington, Indiana (November 2020) — Countries around the world are celebrating the 400th an- niversary of the Mayflower voyage (1620-2020): England, where the Pilgrims began their lives, the Netherlands where they sought refuge for half a generation, and the United States where the Pilgrims established a successful community in Plymouth Colony. Bloomington author, E. W. Robertson, cele- brates the significant event with publication of a fictional account of the life of Dorothy May Bradford.
Robertson’s research for the book began after a family Thanksgiving meal where the discussion re- volved around the Pilgrims and the perils of their journey. “I became curious about the legacy of my own faith and started reading about the Pilgrims. I knew the fundamentals – they sailed to the New World in 1620, they came in pursuit of religious freedom, they landed at Plymouth Rock. But I knew nothing about them as individuals. I had grown up knowing of them but had no understanding of the struggles they encountered while traveling to America.”
“One of my goals in writing the book was to set the record straight regarding the death of Dorothy Bradford,” states Robertson. “Her life has been overshadowed by an article that was published in Harper’s New Monthly in 1869. The article portrays Dorothy’s death as suicide, and I don’t buy that.” The Mayflower anchored in Provincetown Harbor on November 11, 1620. One month later Dorothy drowned in the harbor, after accidentally falling off the ship. “While it’s feasible that anyone who en- dured the hardships of such a voyage could fall into a complete state of depression and hopelessness, I’m convinced that Dorothy’s death was an accident; a horrible, unexplainable, complete freak acci- dent. I found no proof, no eyewitness report to confirm the speculation that her fall from the ship was intentional; no facts, no records to suggest depression or suicide. I believe it is hurtful for historians to color her life with that sadness.”
Robertson is fascinated by the bravery of these 102 passengers – men, women and very young children
– who put their lives on the line to follow a dream. To give life to their view, their strength, their courage and joy became one of the missions of this story. Robertson’s book portrays Dorothy Bradford as an unsung hero; a bold young woman, strong in mind, strong in spirit, strong in character, laser-focused on God’s promises.
Letters from the Mayflower – Dorothy May Bradford is available on Etsy, Amazon and Amazon Kindle.