On November 9th, 1620, we landed in a wilderness harbor called Cape Cod Hook. Captain Jones was speaking with the men on how we were approximately 600 north of our destined course of the Virginia Colony. The winds of the North Atlantic had blown the Mayflower off course.
Because of this, we were outside jurisdiction of the agreement signed with the English investors who had financed our trip to the New World. There was much debate over honoring any agreement and to establish our own liberties not being subject to honor payments to any former agreements. On November 11th, they signed an agreement called "The Mayflower Compact" that committed us to honoring our prior commitments to the Crown and to God. Many on board were indentured servants ( approximately 1/2), had signed 5 to 7 year agreements to pay back the Virginia Company of London, who financed the entire voyage.
It was cold and blustery as the Mayflower set anchor. It reminded me much of winter English weather as the cold was mixed with heavy moisture. A young man employed to Mr. Fuller, a William Button, lost his battle with infection and was thrown into the sea shortly before we arrived. We were saddened by the loss, yet so exhausted we had little remorse, simply thinking he was better off than ourselves and what we were about to face.
Because it was winter, the decision was made to remain on the ship until spring arrived. The winter conditions on land made it impossible to cut trees and clear out areas to construct homes. This was a necessary decision, yet a costly one. Many within our group now being referred to as "Pilgrim fathers" along with the "Strangers", died that terrible winter.
Little Mary More, only four years of age, along with sisters Jasper and Ellen died in December from lack of proper food and infection. An entire family died that winter, the Mullins including William and his wife Alice, their daughter Priscilla and son Joseph. Mr Priest, a hat maker from London died during the winter, as did Mr. and Mrs. Rigdale. There was a Thomas Rogers, a merchant from London, who could not overcome respiratory infection and died.
As I look back, the reasons for so many deaths were the grave conditions of the Mayflower itself. It was our only choice of shelter yet with its confines became a haven for respiratory infections and other general diseases to live and multiply. Many died that winter, including over 75% of the women who had taken the voyage, it was a grievous and heart breaking time.
Mrs. Bradford was on the upper deck of the Mayflower in December, when, while dumping a pot of dirty water into the harbor, slipped and fell into the icy cold waters. She was rescued and brought into the diseased 'tween deck of the ship and died soon after. I was so young, yet I heard she had drowned while being rescued from the waters, while others say she caught the infection and died soon after.
The winter of 1620-21 brought more deaths. The atmosphere was so hopeless as one after another of our friends and family perished. Captain Standish's wife Rose, died on January 29th, Mr. Britteridge passed, Mr. James Chilton, a tailor, and his wife Susanna, Mr. Clarke, Mr. Crackston, both Mr. and Mrs Fuller, and the blacksmith, a Moses Fletcher. Mr. Goodman, a weaver passed that horrible winter as did 2 indentured servants to Mr. White, a John Hooke and Mr. Holbeck. Mr. Tilley, a cloth maker and his wife Ann passed, as did Mr. John Tilley, a silk maker and his wife Joan. Another indentured servant to Mr. White, an Edward Thompson also could not escape death's grip that first winter. Mr. Tinker, his wife and son all passed, as did Mr. Turner, a merchant, along with two of his sons. A wool comber, Mr William White also died along with a Mr. Thomas Williams from Yartmouth. It was an extremely sad day when Elizabeth Winslow, a dear friend to my mother and wife of Edward Winslow passed away. Our hearts were near breaking when Gov. Carver and his wife Katherine died in the late winter of 1621.
Yet what I will remember most of that horrid time? The day my own mother passed, Mary Allerton, whom I am named after. She died on February 25, 1621 while giving birth, who was stillborn.
As for me, I was the last surviving passenger on that ship...and I lived to be 83.
And the Mayflower herself? She was sold and taken apart in May of 1624. Her wood was used for scrap timber in Rotherhithe of London.
Because of this, we were outside jurisdiction of the agreement signed with the English investors who had financed our trip to the New World. There was much debate over honoring any agreement and to establish our own liberties not being subject to honor payments to any former agreements. On November 11th, they signed an agreement called "The Mayflower Compact" that committed us to honoring our prior commitments to the Crown and to God. Many on board were indentured servants ( approximately 1/2), had signed 5 to 7 year agreements to pay back the Virginia Company of London, who financed the entire voyage.
It was cold and blustery as the Mayflower set anchor. It reminded me much of winter English weather as the cold was mixed with heavy moisture. A young man employed to Mr. Fuller, a William Button, lost his battle with infection and was thrown into the sea shortly before we arrived. We were saddened by the loss, yet so exhausted we had little remorse, simply thinking he was better off than ourselves and what we were about to face.
Because it was winter, the decision was made to remain on the ship until spring arrived. The winter conditions on land made it impossible to cut trees and clear out areas to construct homes. This was a necessary decision, yet a costly one. Many within our group now being referred to as "Pilgrim fathers" along with the "Strangers", died that terrible winter.
Little Mary More, only four years of age, along with sisters Jasper and Ellen died in December from lack of proper food and infection. An entire family died that winter, the Mullins including William and his wife Alice, their daughter Priscilla and son Joseph. Mr Priest, a hat maker from London died during the winter, as did Mr. and Mrs. Rigdale. There was a Thomas Rogers, a merchant from London, who could not overcome respiratory infection and died.
Mrs. Bradford was on the upper deck of the Mayflower in December, when, while dumping a pot of dirty water into the harbor, slipped and fell into the icy cold waters. She was rescued and brought into the diseased 'tween deck of the ship and died soon after. I was so young, yet I heard she had drowned while being rescued from the waters, while others say she caught the infection and died soon after.
The winter of 1620-21 brought more deaths. The atmosphere was so hopeless as one after another of our friends and family perished. Captain Standish's wife Rose, died on January 29th, Mr. Britteridge passed, Mr. James Chilton, a tailor, and his wife Susanna, Mr. Clarke, Mr. Crackston, both Mr. and Mrs Fuller, and the blacksmith, a Moses Fletcher. Mr. Goodman, a weaver passed that horrible winter as did 2 indentured servants to Mr. White, a John Hooke and Mr. Holbeck. Mr. Tilley, a cloth maker and his wife Ann passed, as did Mr. John Tilley, a silk maker and his wife Joan. Another indentured servant to Mr. White, an Edward Thompson also could not escape death's grip that first winter. Mr. Tinker, his wife and son all passed, as did Mr. Turner, a merchant, along with two of his sons. A wool comber, Mr William White also died along with a Mr. Thomas Williams from Yartmouth. It was an extremely sad day when Elizabeth Winslow, a dear friend to my mother and wife of Edward Winslow passed away. Our hearts were near breaking when Gov. Carver and his wife Katherine died in the late winter of 1621.
Yet what I will remember most of that horrid time? The day my own mother passed, Mary Allerton, whom I am named after. She died on February 25, 1621 while giving birth, who was stillborn.
As for me, I was the last surviving passenger on that ship...and I lived to be 83.
And the Mayflower herself? She was sold and taken apart in May of 1624. Her wood was used for scrap timber in Rotherhithe of London.
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