HISTORY OF THE MAYFLOWER COMPACT

Before coming to the New World, the Pilgrims had lived in Leyden, Holland from 1608 to 1620. While there, they absorbed the liberating influences of Dutch society and shifted toward a more democratic form of self-governance.

As the passengers aboard the Mayflower journeyed across the Atlantic, tensions arose among the three factions: the Separatists seeking religious freedom, the merchant-adventurers seeking their fortune, and the crew seeking their livelihood. It became apparent that if these passengers were to survive in an alien land, they needed to consent voluntarily to a cooperative form of government. Before a single person went ashore, it was necessary to draw up an instrument of self-government for the little band to replace the original patent.

This immortal Mayflower Compact  was signed in the tiny cabin of the Mayflower on November 11 by all adult males whatever their stations. The Compact was modeled on the Covenant by which the Pilgrims had lived in Leyden for more than a decade and was later hailed by John Quincy Adams, among others, as “the first example in modern times of a social compact or system of government instituted by voluntary agreement … by men of equal rights … ” Thus it was that The Mayflower Compact came into being and was signed by the adult male passengers in November, 1620.

While the language of Shakespeare’s day might seem quaint to us today, the spirit of democracy set forth in this famous document is timeless.

MAYFLOWER COMPACT In the name of God, Amen. We, whose names are underwritten, the Loyal Subjects of our dread Sovereign Lord, King James, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, etc.Having undertaken for the Glory of God, and Advancement of the Christian Faith, and the Honour of our King and Country, a voyage to plant the first colony in the northern Parts of Virginia; do by the Presents, solemnly and mutually in the Presence of God and one of another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil Body Politick, for our better Ordering and Preservation, and Furtherance of the Ends aforesaid; And by Virtue hereof to enact, constitute, and frame, such just and equal Laws, Ordinances, Acts, Constitutions and Offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the General good of the Colony; unto which we promise all due Submission and Obedience.In Witness whereof we have hereunto subscribed ours names at Cape Cod the eleventh of November, in the Reign of our Sovereign Lord, King James of England, France and Ireland, the eighteenth, and of Scotland the fifty-fourth. Anno Domini, 1620.

SIGNERS OF THE MAYFLOWER COMPACT

John Carver William Bradford Edward Winslow William Brewster Isaac Allerton Myles Standish John Alden Samuel Fuller Christopher Martin William Mullins William White Richard Warren John Howland Stephen Hopkins

Edward Tilley John Tilley Francis Cooke Thomas Rogers Thomas Tinker John Rigdale Edward Fuller John Turner Francis Eaton James Chilton John Crackston John Billington Moses Fletcher John Goodman

Degory Priest Thomas Williams Gilbert Winslow Edmond Margesson Peter Browne Richard Britteridge George Soule Richard Clarke Richard Gardiner John Allerton Thomas English Edward Doty Edward Leister

THE PASSENGERS OF THE MAYFLOWER

* Indicates those from whom descent has been proven.

NAME OF PASSENGER	HISTORY OF PASSENGER
*John Alden	Born about 1599, died 12 September, 1687, Duxbury, married about 1623, Priscilla Mullins, daughter of William Mullins. He was not a member of Leyden Church, but was hired at Southampton as a cooper.
*Isaac Allerton	Born about 1586, died at New Haven before 12 February, 1658-9. Married first, 4 November, 1611, Leyden, Mary Norris, who died 25 February, 1621, Plymouth; married second, between July, 1623 and June 1, 1627, Plymouth, Fear Brewster (daughter of William Brewster) who died at Plymouth; married third, Joanna——, who survived him. Chosen Deputy Governor, 1621, afterwards removed to New Haven.
*Mary Norris Allerton	Died 25 February, 1621, Plymouth. Married Isaac Allerton, 4 November, 1611 at Leyden.
*Bartholomew Allerton	Son of Isaac and Mary, born 1612, Leyden. Returned to England, was living there in 1650.
*Remember Allerton	Daughter of Isaac and Mary, born 1614, Leyden, died before 22 October, 1656. Married before 6 May, 1635, Moses Maverick, who died at Marblehead, 28 January, 1685-86.
*Mary Allerton	Daughter of Isaac and Mary, born Leyden, 1616, died 28 November, 1699, Plymouth. Married about 1636, Plymouth, Thomas Cushman, who was baptized 8 February, 1607-8 at Canterbury, England and died, Plymouth, 10 or 11 December, 1691.
John Allerton	A sailor on the Mayflower who decided to join the colony, signed the “Compact”, but died between 11 January and 10 April, 1621.
*John Billington	Was hanged in Plymouth, September 1630, for murder of John Newcomen.  Married Eleanor ——,  who died after 12 March, 1643. She married second, September 1638, Plymouth, Gregory Armstrong, who died 5 November, 1650, Plymouth.
*Elinor Billington	Wife of John.  Married second, September 1638, see above.
John Billington	Son of John and Eleanor, born before 1605, died before 1630.
*Francis Billington	Son of John and Eleanor, born about 1606; died 3 December, 1684, Middleborough. Married 7 July, 1634, Plymouth, Christian (Penn) Eaton, widow of Francis Eaton.
*William Bradford	Baptized 18 March, 1589, Austerfield, England, died 9 May, 1657, Plymouth. Married first, 10 December, 1613, Amsterdam, Dorothy May, who was born about 1597, died 7 December, 1620. Married second, 14 August, 1623, Alice (Carpenter) Southworth (widow of Edward Southworth, born about 1590, died 26 or 27 March, 1670, Plymouth. Belonged to Robinson’s church in Leyden. Governor of Colony 1621, excepting 3 years, until his death.
Dorothy May Bradford	Wife of William, drowned Cape Cod harbor, December 1620.
*William Brewster	Born 1566-67 at Scrooby, died 10 April, 1644, Plymouth. Married before 1593, Mary —–.  Ruling elder at Leyden and Plymouth.
*Mary Brewster	Wife of William. Died 17 April, 1627, Plymouth.
*Love Brewster	Son of William and Mary, died January or February, 1651, Duxbury. Married 25 May, 1634, Sarah Collier, died after 12 March, 1680. She married second, after 1 September, 1656, Richard Parke, died 1665.
Wrestling Brewster	Son of William and Mary, died unmarried before 1644.
Richard Britteridge	Died December 1620. First death after landing.
*Peter Browne	Died after 7 January, 1632-33. Married first, Plymouth Martha —–Ford, who died after June, 1627. Married second, Mary —–. Had two children by each wife.
William Button	Servant to Dr. Fuller. Died 6 November, 1620, buried at sea.
Robert Carver	Servant who died the first winter.
John Carver	Deacon in Leyden church. Elected Governor on the Mayflower, re-elected 22 March, 1621. Taken sick 21 April, 1621, died soon thereafter.
Katherine Carver	Wife of John, died 1621.
*James Chilton	Never landed, died 8 December, 1620 in harbor aboard Mayflower.
*—– Chilton	Wife of James. Died 1621.
*Mary Chilton	Daughter of James, born about 1607, died before 11 May 1679, Boston. Married before 22 May, 1627, Plymouth, John Winslow (brother of Edward), died between 12 March and 21 May, 1674, Boston.
Richard Clarke	Unmarried, died soon after landing.
*Francis Cooke	Born after August, 1583, England, died 7 April, 1663, Plymouth. Married Hester Mahieu, who died after 8 June, 1666. They had four children, of whom only Jon was a passenger with his father. His wife and three other children followed on the Ann.
*John Cooke	Son of Francis and Hester, born Leyden, 1607, died 23, November, 1695, Dartmouth. Married 28 March, 1634, Plymouth, Sarah Warren (daughter of Richard), who died after 15 July, 1696.
Humility Cooper	Niece or cousin of Henry Samson. Returned to England after 1627, died between 1627 and 1651. No known descendants.
John Crackston	Died early March, 1621.
John Crackston	Son of John, died 1628,
*Edward Doty	Employed by Hopkins. Not of Leyden church. Died 23 August, 1655, Plymouth. Married, name of first wife unknown. Married, second, 6 January, 1643, Plymouth, Faith Clark (daughter of Tristan Clark), who was buried at Marshfield, 21 December, 1675. She married second, 14 March, 1666, John Phillips.
*Francis Eaton	Died November, 1633. Married first, Sarah ——. Married second, Mrs. Carver’s maid, name unknown. Married third, Christian Penn. Children by first and third wives.
*Sarah Eaton	First wife of Francis, born 1590, died 1621.
*Samuel Eaton	Son of Francis and Sarah, born 1620, died about 1684 at Middleborough. Married first, 1647, Elizabeth ——-, who died before 1660. Married second, 10 January, 1660, Plymouth, Martha Billington.
—— Ely	Seaman hired for a year. Returned on Fortune. No known children.
Thomas English	Hired to master of Shallop. Died spring, 1621.
Moses Fletcher	Married Leyden, 1613. Died soon after arriving.
*Edward Fuller	Brother to Dr. Samuel Fuller. Died early in 1621.
*Ann Fuller	Wife of Edward Fuller. Died after 11 January, 1621.
*Samuel Fuller	Son of Edward, lived with uncle, Dr. Samuel Fuller. Died 31 October, 1683, Barnstable. Married 8 April, 1635, Scituate, Jane Lathrop (daughter of John Lathrop), died before 29 October, 1683.
*Dr. Samuel Fuller	Deacon at Leyden and the first physician in Plymouth. Died Plymouth, between 30 July and 28 October, 1633. Married first, Alice Glasscock, who died before 1613. Married second, 24 April, 1613, Leyden, Agnes Carpenter, who died before 1617. Married third, 27 May, 1617, Leyden. Bridget Lee, who came later with a young child and died after 1 March, 1664.
Richard Gardiner	Became mariner, left colony, no descendants.
John Goodman	Died the first winter. No descendants.
William Holbeck	Servant, died the first winter.
John Hooke	Servant of Isaac Allerton. Died first winter. No descendants.
*Stephen Hopkins	From London, not of Leyden church. Died between 6 June and 27 July, 1644. Name of first wife unknown. Married second, Elizabeth Fisher of London.
*Elizabeth (Fisher) Hopkins	Second wife of Stephen. Died before 1644.
Damaris Hopkins	Daughter of Stephen, died before 1627 at age 7-8.  Her parents then had another daughter, who they also named Damaris.  The second Damaris married Jacob Cooke after 10 Jun 1646.  Neither the second Damaris nor her husband were passengers on the Mayflower in 1620.
Oceanus Hopkins	Son of Stephen and Elizabeth, born at sea, died 1621.
*Giles Hopkins	Son of Stephen by first wife, died before 16 April, 1690. Married 9 October, 1639, Katherine Wheldon, who died after 5 March, 1689.
*Constance Hopkins	Daughter of Stephen by first wife. Born about 1607, died October, 1677 at Eastham. Married before 1627, Nicholas Snow.
*John Howland	Born before 1593, died Plymouth, 23 February, 1672. Married about 1626, Elizabeth Tilley (daughter of John Tilley), born about 1607, died 21 December, 1687 in Swansea.
John Langmore	Servant to Christopher Martin. Died after 11 January, 1621.
William Latham	Boy servant to Governor Carver, returned to England, thence to Bahamas where he died between 1645 and 1651. No known issue.
Edward Leister	Not of Leyden church. Employed by Hopkins. Went to Virginia where he died before 1651.
Edward Margesson	Single man, died early 1621.
Christopher Martin	Of Billerica, England. Agent to England and treasurer of the company. Died January 18, 1621.
Marie Prower Martin	Wife of Christopher, died 1621.
Desire Minter	Born about 1600. Maid to John Carver. Returned to England.
*Richard Moore	Born about 1614, died about 1696 in Salem. Married 20 October, 1636, Christian Hunt, who died 18 March, 1676 in Salem.
Jasper Moore	Brother of Richard, died 1 December, 1620.
Ellen Moore	Sister of Richard, maid to John Carver, died first winter.
—– Moore	Brother of Richard, died spring, 1621.
*William Mullins	Of Dorking, Surrey, England, joined at Southampton, died 21 February, 1621 at Plymouth.
Alice Mullins	Second wife of William, died about 1621.
Joseph Mullins	Son of William and Alice, died Plymouth, early in 1621.
*Priscilla Mullins	Daughter of William. Married about 1623, John Alden. Died after 1650.
*Degory Priest	Born about 1579, died 1 January, 1621, Plymouth. Married 4 November, 1611, Leyden, Sarah  Allerton Vincent, sister of Isaac  Allerton.  After Degory died, Sarah married. Cuthbert Cutbertson and came to America on the Ann, with him and two of Priest’s daughters.
Solomon Prower	Stepson of Christopher Martin.  Died 1621.
John Rigdale	From London. Died the first winter.
Alice Rigdale	Wife of John. Died first winter. No descendants.
*Thomas Rogers	Born about 1589, died 1621., Plymouth. Son, Joseph came with him, rest of children later. Wife unknown.
*Joseph Rogers	Died between 2 and 15 January, 1677/1678, Eastham. Married before 1633, Hannah  ——.
*Henry Samson	From London, died 24 December, 1684 in Duxbury. Married 6 February, 1635, Plymouth, Anne Plummer, who died before 1684.
*George Soule	Born Eckington, 1600, died before 5 March, 1680, Duxbury. Servant to Edward Winslow, taxed after 1633. Married before 1627, Mary Bucket.
*Myles Standish	Born about 1584, died 3 October 1656, Duxbury. Married first, Rose —–. Married second, Barbara —–, who died after 6 October, 1659. From Leyden, not a member of the church. Chosen Captain, 17 February, 1621.
Rose Standish	First wife of Myles. Died 29 January, 1621, Plymouth.
Elias Story	From London, servant to Edward  Winslow, unmarried, died 1621.
Edward Thomson	Servant to William White, died 1620 at Cape Cod.
Edward Tilley	Died the first winter.
Anne (Cooper) Tilley	Wife of Edward.  Died first winter.
*John Tilley	Born 1573. Died soon after coming ashore.
*Joan (Hurst) (Rogers) Tilley	Wife of John.  Married 1596, died Plymouth, 1621.
*Elizabeth Tilley	Daughter of John and Joan.  Married John Howland.
Thomas Tinker	Died the first winter.
—– Tinker	Wife of Thomas. Died the first winter.
William Trevore	Seaman, hired for a year. Returned to England. Died 1650.
John Turner	Died the first winter.
—– Turner	Son of John. Died the first winter.
—– Turner	Son of John. Died the first winter.
*Richard Warren	Died Plymouth, 1628. From London, not member of church. Married before 1610, Elizabeth —–, born before 1583, died Plymouth, 22 October, 1673. She came on “Ann” with 5 daughters. Two sons born after her arrival at Plymouth.
*William White	Born about 1592, died Plymouth, 21 February, 1621. Married Leyden, 11 February, 1612, Susanna Fuller.
*Susanna Fuller White	Wife of William. Later married Edward Winslow.
*Resolved White	Son of William and Susanna, born about 1615, died between 1690 and 1694. Married first, Scituate, Judith Vassall. Married second, Salem, 5 October, 1674, Abigail —– Lord, widow of William Lord, who died July, 1682.
*Peregrine White	Son of William and Susanna, born on Mayflower, December, 1620, died Marshfield, 20 July, 1704. Married Sara Bassett.
Roger Wilder	Unmarried, servant to Carver. Died Soon after landing.
Thomas Williams	Unmarried, died soon after landing.
*Edward Winslow	Born Droitwich, England, 18 October, 1595, died at sea while Cromwell’s commissioner to West Indies, 8 May, 1655. Married first, Leyden, Elizabeth Barker, who died at Plymouth, 1621. Married second, May 1621, Plymouth, Susanna (Fuller) White, widow of William White.
*Elizabeth (Barker) Winslow	Wife of Edward. Died 3 April, 1621.
Gilbert Winslow	Brother of Edward. Baptized 29 October, 1600. Buried 11 October 1631, Ludlow, Shropshire, England. Never married and no descendants.
Dorothy —–	Maid to Mrs. Carver, died soon after 1625. Second wife of Francis Eaton.

Mayflower History by Caleb Johnson   link to http://www.mayflowerhistory.com

Plimoth Plantation  link to http://www.plimoth.org

Plymouth Hall and Museum    link to http://www.pilgrimhall.org