| 4. |  Pilgrim, Govenor William Bradford was born in 1589 in Austerfield, Yorkshire, England (son of William Bradford and Margaret Fox); died on 9 May 1657 in Plymouth Colony, MA. Other Events and Attributes:
- Emigration: 21 Nov 1620, On Mayflower
Notes:
William Bradford (1590-1657) was a significant figure in the early history of the Plymouth Colony. Here are some key points about his life:
Early Life and Religious Beliefs:
Bradford was born in 1590 in Austerfield, a farming community in Yorkshire, England.
Orphaned at a young age, he was raised by relatives.
Despite being too weak for farm work due to a long illness, he immersed himself in reading the Bible and other religious texts.
As a teenager, he was drawn to the Puritan sect known as the Separatists, led by William Brewster and John Robinson. The Separatists sought a simpler, more pious life by breaking away from the rituals and hierarchies of the Church of England.
Under threat of prosecution from King James I, the Separatists fled to the Netherlands in 1608, eventually settling in the city of Leiden.
Journey to the New World:
By 1619, many of the Scrooby exiles (including Bradford) embraced the idea of emigrating to America.
They sought to form their own colony where they could raise their children according to English customs.
In 1620, Bradford and his wife, Dorothy, left their three-year-old son behind and sailed aboard the Mayflower.
The group, which included both Separatists (“Saints”) and non-Separatists (“Strangers”), numbered 102 people.
After a 66-day voyage, they sighted land on November 9.
Governor of Plymouth Colony:
Bradford served as the governor of Plymouth Colony for over 30 years.
His experiences during this time were chronicled in a journal called “Of Plymouth Plantation”, which became the authoritative account of the Pilgrims and Plymouth Colony.
His descendants include notable figures such as Noah Webster, Julia Child, and Supreme Court Justice William Rehnquist1.
Bradford’s leadership and documentation played a crucial role in shaping the early years of the Plymouth Colony, making him a central figure in American history.
William married Alice Carpenter on 14 Aug 1623 in Plymouth Colony, MA. Alice (daughter of Alexander Carpenter) was born in 1590 in England; died in 1670 in MA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
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1657 - 1731 (74 years)
