INTRODUCTION CONTINUED
William Bradford was an English Separatist leader in both Holland, and in Plymouth Colony. Bradford was also signed the Mayflower Company which was an important historical document that was the first governing document of the upcoming Plymouth Colony while on board the Mayflower in 1620. William Bradford then continued to serve as Plymouth Colony Governor five times covering over thirty years between 1621 and 1657. Through his life in Plymouth, he wrote a journal that would later be called "Of Plymouth Plantation", this journal covered the time frame of 1620 to 1657 while Bradford was leading Plymouth Colony. SEPARATIST CONGREGATION When Bradford was 12 years old, he was invited to hear Reverend Richard Clyfton preach in All Saints Church, Babworth. Clyfton believed that the Church of England ought to institute strict reforms to eliminate all traces of Roman Catholic practices. He believed that this would result in a more "pure" Christian church. Bradford felt inspired by this preaching even though it was forbidden by his family, so he continued to listen to these sermons. During one of these lectures, Bradford met William Brewster who was a postmaster and a bailiff. Bradford borrowed many books from Brewster, and Brewster talked with young Bradford about the church reform taking place in England. Even as a young boy in England, Bradford was caught up in the Protestant Reformation and continued to become a dedicated member of one of the churches that made up the "left wing" of Puritanism. SERVICE AS GOVERNOR On March 16, settlers had their first meeting with the Native Americans who lived in the regions that they settled in. On March 22, the leader of the Pokanoket tribe signed a treaty with John Carver. The treaty that declared an alliance between the Pokanoket and the Plymouth and required the two to aid each other in times of need. In April of 1621, Governor Carver collapsed and died while working in the fields on a hot day. Bradford soon became the governor and stayed governor for most of the time between 1621 and 1656. As governor for over 30 years, Bradford was able to shape and stabilize the political institutions of the first permanent colony in New England. Bradford also left and priceless journal that can take modern Americans through his pilgrim adventure. FAMILY William Bradford married Dorothy May in Amsterdam Holland on December 10, 1613. Dorothy May was only 16 years old when she married William Bradford. William and Dorothy had one child who was named John and was born in Holland in 1617. Dorothy later died, ending their marriage. Bradford's next wife was Alice Southworth in Plymouth on August 14, 1623. William and Alice had a son William (born 1624), a daughter named Mercy (born 1627), and another son named Joseph (born 1630). William Bradford died on May 9, 1657 and was buried on Burial Hill in Plymouth where a large stone monument exists in memory of his life. CHRONOLOGY OF BRADFORD'S LIFE 1590 - William born and Baptized in Austerfield, Yorkshire, England. 1602 - William becomes a regular attender at Puritan and Separatist meetings. 1608 - The Scrooby Separatists begin to leave England and settle in Holland. 1609 - William joins the Scrooby Separatists in Amsterdam. 1613 - William marries Dorothy May. 1617 - First son named John Born. 1620 - The Mayflower Pilgrims voyage to Plymouth. Dorothy May dies. 1621 - First governor of Plymouth, John Carver, dies. William elected governor and held the position (except for five years) until the end of his life. 1623 - William marries the widow Alice Southworth. 1630 - William begins the writings that eventually become "Of Plymouth Plantation." 1650 - William stops writing "Of Plymouth Plantation." 1657 - William Bradford dies. EXTENDED BIOGRAPHY LINKS- Excerpt from Bradford's Journal #1 Excerpt from Bradford's Journal #2 Information about Bradford's Journal Of Plymouth Plantation - Overview |
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