Brewster, William b. Abt Jun 1566 Scrooby, Nottinghamshire, England d. 10 Apr 1644 Duxbury, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA: WETZEL Extended Family & More

Brewster, William

Abt 1566 - 1644 (77 years)

Name	Brewster, William
Birth	Abt Jun 1566	Scrooby, Nottinghamshire, England
Gender	Male
LDS	• LH2V-RD6 Short Biography of William Brewster 1566-1644
	20260309GHLn- William Brewster 1560-1644 Short Biography of William Brewster 1566-1644 (9HGZ-5RW) Contributed By L Lynn John Anderson Short Biography of William Brewster 1566-1644 (9HGZ-5RW) SOURCE: Peterhouse Cambridge Cambridge CB2 1RD Tel: 01223 338200 Fax: 01223 337578 Hyperlink~~ http://www.pet.cam.ac.uk/petreans/who-was-william-brewster Who was William Brewster? William Brewster (c.1566–1644), born in 1566 or 1567 in Scrooby, near Retford, north Nottinghamshire, England, was a 'Pilgrim Father' colony leader and preacher who sailed on the Mayflower and, in 1620, reached what became the Plymouth Colony. He is generally considered to be the most famous of the Pilgrims. William Brewster was the son of William Brewster (Senior) and his wife Prudence; he had a number of half-siblings. The Manor of Scrooby, where he was born, was in the possession of the Archbishops of York; the Manor itself was leased on easy terms by the Archbishop, Edwin Sandys, to his son, Sir Samuel. Brewster's father was Receiver, or Bailiff, to the Archbishop, having been appointed by Sandys' predecessor Edmund Grindal; with this post went that of Postmaster, with important responsibility for stage horses for the mails on the major Great North Road from London to Scotland, on which Scrooby lay. Brewster entered Peterhouse in December 1580, aged about 14; the last reference to him in the College's records occurs in December 1581. After Peterhouse, in 1584, aged about 18, he entered the service at Court of William Davison, whom in 1585 he accompanied to the Low Countries where Davison was to negotiate an alliance with the States-General of the Netherlands. Cambridge had itself been, and remained, a centre of religious reformist thought; but Brewster's time with Davison in the Netherlands gave him the opportunity to hear and see more of reformed religion, and led him to draw closer to the concept of splitting from the Established Church of England. Brewster remained with Davison when, in 1586, Davison was appointed assistant to Queen Elizabeth's Secretary of State, Francis Walsingham; but Davison lost the favor of the Queen in 1587. On Davison's dismissal from office and prosecution, Brewster returned to Scrooby, in 1590 being appointed, on the intercession of Davison, to succeed his father as Postmaster. By the 1590s, Brewster's brother, James, a rebellious Anglican priest, had become Vicar of the nearby Nottinghamshire Parish of Sutton and Lound, from 1594 appointing dissenting Curates to Scrooby church. William Brewster went further, adopting Puritan views and setting out on a path of separation from the Church of England. He became a leading member of the Congregation of Brownists, which from about 1602 assembled on his farm at Scrooby; and in 1606 he formed the Separatist Church of Scrooby. William and James Brewster were brought before the ecclesiastical courts for their dissent, and by 1607 this and other restrictions and pressures applied by the authorities convinced the Separatist Scrooby congregation of the need to emigrate to the more sympathetic atmosphere of Holland. Leaving England without permission was, however, illegal, and Brewster was betrayed, arrested and imprisoned. After his release in 1608, Brewster and others were ultimately successful in leaving for Holland from the River Humber. Initially, the emigrating Pilgrims settled in Amsterdam, and worshipped with the 'Ancient Church' of Francis Johnson and Henry Ainsworth. Disputes between the two men led the church to divide and, after only a year, the Pilgrims moved to Leiden. In 1609, Brewster was elected as ruling Elder of the Pilgrim Separatist congregation. In Leiden, Brewster taught English and later, in 1616–1619, set up a press as the partner of one Thomas Brewer, to support his family and followers by printing and publishing religious books for illicit sale in England, where they were proscribed . In 1619, the printing type was seized by the authorities, under pressure from the English Ambassador, Sir Dudley Carleton, and Brewster's partner was arrested. Brewster escaped. Through the influence of the Treasurer of the London Virginia Company Sir Edwin Sandys, the brother of Sir Samuel who was the tenant of the Manor of Brewster's birthplace Scrooby, he obtained a patent for a grant of land in Virginia, in his own right and on behalf of his Pilgrim colleagues. On 5th August 1620, thus, Brewster joined the first group of Pilgrims aboard the Mayflower on her famous voyage to North America, eventually landing at Plymouth, Massachusetts, to form the first permanent European settlement in New England. He was the oldest passenger on the voyage, aged about 54: he was accompanied by his wife, Mary, who was to die in 1627, and his sons, Love and Wrestling Brewster. A further son, Jonathan, joined the family in November 1621, arriving at Plymouth on the ship Fortune; and daughters Patience and Fear arrived in July 1623 aboard the Anne. When the Pilgrims left for North America, the Pastor of the Leiden group, John Robinson, had remained behind. Brewster, as the only university-educated member of the colony, thus became its senior Elder, serving as its religious leader and as an advisor to Governor William Bradford (who had been a Nottinghamshire neighbor of the Brewsters, being born at Austerfield, about three miles from Scrooby, in about 1590). Brewster retained his role of leadership until a Pastor, Ralph Smith, arrived in 1629. He was granted land amongst the islands of Boston Harbor, four of which (Great Brewster, Little Brewster, Middle Brewster and Outer Brewster) now bear his name. After the arrival of Smith, Brewster continued to preach irregularly until his death on 10th April 1644 in Plymouth, aged about 78. Of Brewster's six children, five survived to adulthood, four of whom themselves had children. Notable descendants of William Brewster include Roger Nash Baldwin, George W Bush, Chevy Chase, Julia Child, Bing Crosby, Ted Danson, Charles G Dawes, Howard Dean, John Foster Dulles, Richard Gere, Katharine Hepburn, Lyndon LaRouche, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Seth MacFarlane, Jan Masaryk, George B McClellan, Bill Richardson, Cokie Roberts, Nelson Rockefeller, Norman Rockwell, Brewster Shaw, David Souter, Adlai Stevenson III, and Zachary Taylor. In 2006, Byron Thomas Smith, from California, a direct descendant of Brewster, matriculated at Peterhouse to read for the M.B.A. degree All content © Peterhouse, Cambridge. Tagged People Absalom Leggett Marsh Male 1816-1893 • LHWQ-NB7 Mary Catherine Redd William Brewster Male 1566-1644 • LH2V-RD6 Contributed By L Lynn John Anderson 3 November 2014 Upload File Name story.txt
LDS	• LH2V-RD6 well researched [1]
	20251120GHLn- William Brewster Male about 1566 – 10 April 1644 • LH2V-RD6 Sources (33) Collaborate (13) Memories (41) Notes This profile has been well researched. A considerable effort has been made to ensure that the basic vitals and relationships of this Mayflower passenger conform to 1) available records/primary source documents, 2) the Silver Books of the General Society of Mayflower Descendants [the series entitled “Mayflower Families for Five Generations”], and 3) the most up to date published research. Please help make this profile the best it can be by becoming familiar with the source material. G2 Less Last Changed: October 28, 2023 f fultonbob msn.com What evidence is there that he lived in Cambridge and had a child there in 1606? The conjecture that he had a child in Cambridgeshire in 1606 does not have any evidence attached to support it. Is there any documentation? William Brewster was said to be bailiff in Scrooby until Sep 1607, and separatists met at his home there in 1607 which would contradict this theory that he moved to Cambridgeshire in 1606. Last Changed: May 12, 2025 c cmsu8 Burial's Deceased people can be buried same day to even years, depending on situations, time era and weather conditions. Many years ago, the dead were kept in homes or in charnel houses in the cemetery until the ground thawed in the spring. The poor were covered with large stone-pile cairns to prevent predation and buried when the ground thawed, while the wealthy were interred in more elaborate above ground stone crypts in perpetuity. In regards to William Brewster's month of death and possible weather conditions, it is better noted that he was buried in 1644 instead of April 1644 due to the ground may have been still frozen or just thawing. Making a notation that they are buried after their death date is senseless, its common sense. Less Last Changed: August 25, 2024 M MaryMoore95 "Of Plymouth Plantation" by William Bradford "Of Plymouth Plantation" by William Bradford, written c1630-c1654 About William Brewster: "After he had attained some learning, viz, the knowledge of Latin tongue, and some insight in the Greek, and spent some small time at Cambridge, and then being first seasoned with the seeds of grace and virtue, he went to the court, and served that religious and godly gentleman, Mr. Davison, divers years, when he was Secretary of State; who found him so discreet and faithful as he trusted him abouve all other that were about him, and only employed him in all matters of greatest trust and secrecy... he attended his mr. when he was sent in ambassage by the Queen into the Low Countries... And, at his return, the States honored him with a gold chain, and his master committed it to him, and commanded him to wear it when they arrived in England, as they rid through the country, till they came to the court...Afterwards he went and lived in the country, in good esteem amongst his friends and the gentlemen of those parts, especially the Godly and religious. He did much good in the country where he lived, in promoting and furthering religion not only by his practise and example, and provocating and encouraging of others, but by procuiring of good preachers to the places thereabouts, and drawing on of others to assist and help foraward in such work; he himself most commonly deepest in the charge, and sometimes above his ability.... They ordinarily met at this house on the Lord's day, (which was a manor of the bishops) and with great love he entertained them when they came, making provision for them to his great charge. He was the chief of those that were taken at Boston, and suffered the greatest loss; and of the seven that were kept longest in prison, and after bound over...After he came into Holland he suffered much hardship, after he had spent the most of his means, having a great charge, and many children; and, in regard of his former breeding and course of life, not so fit for ma ny employments as others were, especially as were toilsome and laborious. But yet he ever bore his condition with much cheerfulness and contention. Toward the later part of those 12 years spent in Holland, his outward condition was mended, and he lived well and plentifully; for he fell into a way to teach many studenlts, who had a desire to learn the English tongue, to teach them English;....He also had means to set up printing, by the help of some friends...and by reason of many books which would not be allowed to be printed in England, they might have had more then they could do.....And besides that , he would labor with his hands in the fields as long as he was able; yet when the chlurch had no other minister, hel taught twice every Sabbath....discreet and well spoken, having a grave and deliberate utterance, of a very cheerful spirit, very sociable and pleasant among his friends, of an humble and modest mind, of peaceable disposition, undervaluing himself and his own abilities...inoffensive and innocent in his life and conversation...he was tender-hearted, and compassionate of such as were in misery, but especially of such as had been of good estate and rank, and were fallen into want and poverty, either for goodness and religions sake, or by the injury and oppression of others; ...." ************* "William Brewster was the Reverend Elder of the Pilgrim's church at Plymouth, since their pastor John Robinson remained behind in Leyden, Holland with the majority of the congregation which planned to come to America at a later time. Brewster was a fugitive from the King of England, because he had published a number of religious pamphlets while in Leyden which were critical or opposed the tenets of the Church of England. He had been a member of the Separatist church movement from its very beginning, and was the oldest Mayflower passenger to have participated at the First Thankgiving, in his early fifties" ........ Caleb Johnson, Mayflower Web Pages 1997 http://members.aol.com/calebj/passenger.html Less Last Changed: March 4, 2024 R RobertParken Notes Love the son of William and Mary Brewster was born in 1611 in Leiden if that is correct, then Mary was 42 years old, when her son Love was born. In a document over a sale with Bernard Ross, not so long after they arrived in Leiden is William Brewster, 42 years old, on the 25th of June 1609, than he was born ca. 1567, in the dutch record, he is called Willem Bruster, his wife Mary, in dutch Marijtgen, was 40 years old, then she was born ca. 1569, there son Jonathan, was 12 years old, that is he born in 1597. On the 20th of June 1609, a child of William and Mary Brewster died, they where living in the Stincksteeg. I don't know the name of age of that child, I assume that the child was not yet 4 years old. In 1620 William Brewster, was ca. 53 years old, and Mary , 51, when they went over on the Mayflower. Less Last Changed: February 29, 2024 J JenniferBurke1 Brief Life History and Biography is Posted at the Bottom of this Details Page with Additional Information This Note is posted here so that Descendants and Contributors may be aware it is there. Time and effort is expended by others to enter the information, and many do not realize it exists. In prior set up of Profile Page for people, this was entered at the Top of the Profile Page titled Life Sketch. A question was asked about why there are so many Duplicates of Individuals. Researching Ancestors and Contributors should check first to see if the Person or Ancestor Profile has already been created by another before creating a new one. Often there is already extensive research, work, Vitals, details and Sources that has already been entered providing a wealth of information regarding the person that extremely is helpful, such as this Profile. Building on from there helps prevent Duplicates, if the Person is the same ancestor shared with others. An Orange Alert Banner explains the detailed research already done. When a Duplicate person hint is shown and reviewed, before a merge is done, all Profile information should be checked by looking at the 'possible duplicate's entire Profile page, not only the Vitals, family shown or any thing else on the Merge page, before merging with the other. Some people are new to this site, and there is a learning curve. Merging Duplicates is a process, sometimes complicated and information can be lost. Possible Duplicates do not have to be merged. A 'Preference' check mark can be affixed. A Person is never to be deleted. Less Last Changed: July 26, 2023 G GinaHall Fowler Notes Leiden is built between two arms of the Rijn, the Nieuwe Rijn and the Oude Rijn. The lage Rijndijk was like the Hoge Rijndijk part of Leiderdorp. You see on those maps, Leiden between the Walls. And Leiderdorp, Oegstgeest, and Zoeterwoude. We know that William Brewster, left Leiden, to find exile in Leiderdorp, look at the map of Leiderdorp, he only had to cross one of the bridges, only around 20 minutes from his house in the Stincksteeg, and the Schout (Sheriff) did not have the juristiction, to arrest him. I don't know if he went to the little village of Leiderdorp or stayed on the Hoge of Lage Rijndijk or some there else out side the boundery of Leiden. The map are before 1890 or so, than the boundaries from Leiden changed. this was the Hogewoerdsebuitenpoort (Hogewoerds outside gate.). In the time of your ancestors, there where many Gates, in side was Leiden, outside the Gates you came in to the territorium, of Leiderdorp, Oegstgeest and Voorschoten. We know that, William Brewster, Johannes Sol and others, where in Leiderdorp. Leiderdorp was not only a small village on the Rijndijk, its territorium was fast, you have seen the maps place I before. There are only two Gates left in Leiden, the Morspoort and the Zijlpoort. Less Last Changed: October 20, 2022 J Jean Barbara Alcock Education He was educated in both English, Greek and Latin and spent time at Cambridge University, although he never completed a full degree. Cambridge was a center of thought concerning religious reformism. Last Changed: August 5, 2022 C Cindy911 Predicting the Location of Plymouth Village http://www.plymoutharch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/leyden-st-houses.pdf Citation Excellent info on the original location of Plymouth Colony, with sources and documents Notes By Craig S. Chartier - Plymouth Archaelogical Rediscovery Project Less Last Changed: March 22, 2022 B BelMark Could someone edit this? Though not included here, William Brewster left behind numerous volumes of books--so many that a separate inventory was made of them. Dying intestate, it was agreed by his sons that they could agree on a fair and impartial settlement of their father's estate, however this was not entirely the case as noted in the last of these proceedings. Elder William Brewster died at Plymouth, 10 April 1644, without having made a will, and on 5 June, 1644, his "onely two sonnes surviveing," Jonathan and Love, were appointed administrators of his estate. Court Orders, II: 101. Under date of 5 June, 1644. Lres of administracon of all the goods and cattells of mr Willm Brewster deceased are graunted by the Court to Jonathan Brewster and Love Brewster And A true Inventory thereof was exhibited to the Court upon the Oathes of the said Jonathan & Love. Plymouth Colony Wills, I: 53. Lres of Administracon of all the goods and cattells of mr Willm Brewster Deceased were graunted to Jonathan Brewster and Love Brewster at the genrall Court holden at Plymouth the fift Day of June in the xxth yeare of his said Mas now Raigne of England &c and a true Inventory thereof was exhibited to the Court upon the Oathes of the said Jonathan and Love the same Court. The totall is 107 0 8 Myles Standish Tho: Prence. The totall of both latten & English books amounts to the sum of 42 . 19 . 11 The totall both of goods & bookes amounts in all to 150 . 00 . 27 Wm Bradford Tho: Prence Plymouth Colony Deeds, I: 198 Bradford Govr Whereas William Brewster late of Plym gent deceased left onely two sonnes surviveing vizt Jonathan the Eldest and Love the yeonger And whereas the said William dyed intestate for ought can to this day appeare The said Jonathan and Love his sonnes when they returned from the buriall of their father to the house of Mr Willm Bradford of Plymouth in the prsence of mr Raph Partrich Pastor of Duxborrow mr John Reynor Teacher of the Church at Plymouth and mr Edward Buckley Pastor of the Church at Marshfeild and many others being exhorted to honor their Revrend father wth a peaceable pceeding about the division of his estate between them. The said Jonathan first answered for his part that although hee were the elder yet was willing to devide lands and goods equally betweene himself and brother. And if in case any differrence should arrise betweene them that it might be soone suppressed said he heere are four of my fathers deere and auncient frends vizt mr Willm Bradford then Govrnor of Plymouth mr Edward Winslow of Marshfeild mr Thomas Prence of Plymouth aforesaid and Captaine Miles Standish of Duxborrow. And if my brother please to accept my motion whereinsoevr we shall differ we will stand to their award wch shalbe as firme as if it had beene done by our father &c To all wch the said Love Brewster condiscended to the greate satisfaccon of the whole Assembly the said freinds of his father being there also prsent who willingly engaged themselves therein to the utmost of their power And whereas afterward differrence arose betweene the said brethren Jonathan and Love in divers prticulers about the late dwelling house of their said father at Duxborrow wherein the said Love dwelt and had donn from his marriage to that instant also about certaine accompt wherein Jonathan was made debtor to the estate in a large sume &c Hereupon according to prmise they referring themselves to the said speciall and most intimate frends of their said father the said Edward Winslow afterwards Govrnor of Plymouth mr Willm Bradford mr Thomas Prence and Captaine Miles Standish aforesaid haveing heard divers thinges alleadged on Loves behalf to prove that the said House and half the Lands of the said Willm belonging thereunto aswell as any other the lands of the said Willm devided or to be devided wth an entire half part of the estate of the said Willm was given to the said Love and Sarah his wyfe upon a Covenant of Contract of marryage to be due at the death of the said Willm Brewst er now deceased. All wch was offerred to be prooved legally if neede require by solemne prmise though not in writing The said Jonathan also offerring to take off upon oath the greatest prt of the said debts also &c The said Edward Winslow Willm Bradford Thomas Prence & Captaine Miles Standish being well acquainted wth their said case aswell by divers thinges heard from their revrend father in his life as by the evedence now offerred to be prduced on both sides determyned as followeth And first of all for the said debts wch were alleadged against the said Jonathan the elder brother by the said Love the yonger as aforesaid we conceive that if their father had not acquitted them before his death yet hee would nevr have charged his Eldest sonn wth them in regard of his greate charge of children and so beleeveing it was donn actually or intensively or both we discharged Jonathan of all the said debt his brother made him debtor to the estate aforesaid except foure pounds sterling wch wee award him to pay his brother Love in consideracon of the wintering of some cattell wch the said Jonathan had the sommering upon the division and for the dyett of Isaack Allerton a grandchild of the said Willm wch he had placed wth his sonn Love to table And because hee was the first borne of his father we gave him his fathers Armes and also a two yeare old heiffer over and above his part of the devideables of the said estate. And for the Dwelling house aforesaid of the said Willm wherein the said Love Brewster resided we were so well acquainted wth the purpose of the sd Willm now deceased and the evidence offerred for proofe seemed to us so strong as wee beleeveing the said Willm had actually or intentively or both given the said house to his sonn Love and Sarah his wyfe and their heires &c Wee the Edward William Thomas and Myles awarded the said dwelling house to the said Love and Sarah his wyfe and their heires &c together wth half the said Estate of Lands goods and cattells except befo re excepted and aswell such other lands as are not yet divided blonging to the said Willm as a Purchaser of the Patent & Plantacon of New Plymouth aforesaid as that at Duxborrow whereon hee lived And whereas some differrence might have arrisen about the division of the said Lands at Duxborrow mr Willm Vassell being requested to survey the said Lands he made a division of yt in two parts being an hundred & eleaven acrees of upland or there abouts vizt to Jonathan Brewster an sixtie eight acrees or there abouts wch lay entire together next a dwelling house wch the said Jonathan had built on the said land by the leave of his said father and all the meadow on that side a creeke (wch divided the greatest part of the said land) below a Bridg on the way betweene the houses of Jonathan and Love his brother And to Love Brewster fourty three acrees of upland or there abouts adjoyneing to his dwelling house whereof thirty acrees was cleered land and almost all in tillage the other thirteene being woodland as it was devided in the said Plott drawne by the said Surveighor and marked out and allowed by us except a prcell of land about three quarters of an acree prte in the garden of the said Jonathan and prt in a Swamp adjoyneing wherein onely the said Jonathan had Water to his house as it was marked and staked by us Also we gave unto Love Brewster all the meadow on that side the Creek adjoyneing to his land where he liveth and also that smale prcell wch lyeth above the Bridg betweene their two houses before expressed And the reason wherefore we gave Love the lesse quantitie was and is because the quallity of Loves land in goodnes is equall to the quantitie of Jonathans as we judg And that this is the full determinacon of us the said Edward Willm Thomas and Myles upon the referrence aforesaid of the said Jonathan and Love as wee are prswaded in our consciences to be equall and just haveing to our best abillities faythfully discharged our duties towards God their deceased father o ur former worthy frend and towards Jonathan and Love his onely children remayneing In witnes thereof we have put to our hands and ordered it to be put Upon the Records of the Gover meet. ffinished at Plymouth the xxth August 1645 William Bradford Edw: Winslow Tho: Prence Myles Standish Source: www.mayflowerfamilies.com Less Last Changed: March 9, 2022 B BelMark William Brewster was the Reverend Elder William Brewster was the Reverend Elder of the Pilgrim's church at Plymouth, since their pastor John Robinson remained behind in Leyden, Holland with the majority of the congregation which planned to come to America at a later time. Brewster was a fugitive from the King of England, because he had published a number of religious pamphlets while in Leyden which were critical or opposed the tenets of the Church of England. He had been a member of the Separatist church movement from its very beginning, and was the oldest Mayflower passenger to have participated at the First Thanksgiving, in his early fifties. William Bradford wrote a lot about William Brewster in Of Plymouth Plantation, some of which follows: After he had attained some learning, viz. the knowledge of Latin tongue, and some insight in the Greek, and spent some small time at Cambridge, and then being first seasoned with the seeds of grace and virtue, he went to the court, and served that religious and godly gentleman, Mr. Davison, divers years, when he was Secretary of State; who found him so discreet and faithful as he trusted him above all other that were about him, and only employed him in all matters of greatest trust and secrecy . . . he attended his mr. when he was sent in ambassage by the Queen into the Low Countries . . . And, at his return, the States honored him with a gold chain, and his master committed it to him, and commanded him to wear it when they arrived in England, as they rid through the country, till they came to the court . . . Afterwards he went and lived in the country, in good esteem amongst his friends and the gentlemen of those parts, especially the Godly and religious. He did much good in the country where he lived, in promoting and furthering religion not only by his practise and example, and provocating and encouraging of others, but by procuring of good preachers to the places thereabouts, and drawing on of others to assist and help forward in such work; he himself most comm only deepest in the charge, and sometimes above his ability. . . . They ordinarily met at this house on the Lord's day, (which was a manor of the bishops) and with great love he entertained them when they came, making provision for them to his great charge. He was the chief of those that were taken at Boston, and suffered the greatest loss; and of the seven that were kept longest in prison, and after bound over . . . After he came into Holland he suffered much hardship, after he had spent the most of his means, having a great charge, and many children; and, in regard of his former breeding and course of life, not so fit for many employments as others were, especially as were toilsome and laborious. But yet he ever bore his condition with much cheerfulness and contention. Towards the later part of those 12 years spent in Holland, his outward condition was mended, and he lived well and plentifully; for he fell into a way to teach many students, who had a desire to learn the English tongue, to teach them English; . . . He also had means to set up printing, by the help of some friends . . . and by reason of many books which would not be allowed to be printed in England, they might have had more then they could do. . . . And besides that, he would labor with his hands in the fields as long as he was able; yet when the church had no other minister, he taught twice every Sabbath . . . For his personal abilities, he was qualified above many; he was wise and discreet and well spoken, having a grave and deliberate utterance, of a very cheerful spirit, very sociable and pleasant amongst his friends, of an humble and modest mind, of a peaceable disposition, undervaluing himself and his own abilities . . . inoffensive and innocent in his life and conversation . . . he was tender-hearted, and compassionate of such as were in misery, but especially of such as had been of good estate and rank, and were fallen into want and poverty, either for goodness and religions sake, or by the injury and oppression of others; . . . NOTE ON WILLIAM BREWSTER'S WIFE: The maiden name of William Brewster's wife has not been proven. The claim it was Mary Wentworth rests solely on the fact that Mary Wentworth happened to live somewhat close to William Brewster in Scrooby, Nottingham. That is very shaky evidence to say the least. Further, it has been proposed that William Brewster may have married Mary Wyrall, but the evidence is just as flimsy for that marriage. There are no fewer than seven marriages from 1590-1610 that have been located in parish registers showing a William Brewster marrying a Mary. All, however, have been satisfactorily eliminated as probable candidates for the William and Mary (Brewster) who came on the Mayflower. So at present, there is no evidence to document who William Brewster's wife Mary actually was. Less Last Changed: July 20, 2015 D Doug Scofield WILLIAM BREWSTER IN 17TH CENTURY RECORD WILLIAM BREWSTER IN 17TH CENTURY RECORDS William Brewster : an English Separatist "... many became enlightened by the Word of God and had the ir ignorance and sins discovered unto them, and began by Hi s grace to reform their lives and make conscience of thei r ways ... "... they shook off this yoke of antichristian b ondage, and as the Lord's free people joined themselves (b y a covenant of the Lord) into a church estate, in the fell owship of the gospel, to walk in all His ways made known, o r to be made known unto them, according to their best endea vours, whatsoever it should cost them, the Lord assisting t hem. And that it cost them something this ensuing history w ill declare ... "... besides other worthy men, was Mr. Rich ard Clyfton, a grave and reverend preacher, who by his pain s and diligence had done much good, and under God had bee n a means of the conversion of many. And also that famous a nd worthy man Mr. John Robinson, who afterwards was their p astor for many years, till the Lord took him away by death . Also Mr. William Brewster a reverend man, who afterward s was chosen an elder of the church and lived with them til l old age." William Bradford, Of Plymouth Plantation 1620-1 647, ed. Samuel Eliot Morison (New York : Knopf, 1991), p . 8-10. William Brewster and the Separatists in Holland "... by a joint consent they resolved to go into the Low Co untries ... "Now when Mr. Robinson, Mr. Brewster and othe r principal members were come over (for they were of the la st and stayed to help the weakest over before them) such th ings were thought on as were necessary for their settling a nd best ordering of the church affairs... "Being thus settl ed [in Leyden] (after many difficulties) they continued man y years in a comfortable condition, enjoying much sweet an d delightful society and spiritual comfort together in th e ways of God, under the able ministry and prudent governme nt of Mr. John Robinson and Mr. William Brewster who was a n assistant unto him in the place of an Elder, unto which h e was now called and chosen by the Church." William Bradfor d, Of Plymouth Plantation 1620-1647, ed. Samuel Eliot Moris on (New York : Knopf, 1991), p. 10-17. William and Mary Brewster in the Records of Leiden, Holland "Besset, Willem of Sandwich in England, Hodman, widr. of Si sle Lecht (Cecily Light), acc. by Rogier Wilson and Wille m Bruystaert (William Brewster) his acq. betr. 19 March 161 1 to Maycken Botler (Mary Butler) of Norwich in England, ac c. by Anna Foller and Roos Leyl her acq. The bride died bef ore the publication of the third bann. ... "Boeckrum, Will em (William Buckram) of Ipswich in England, widr. of Judic k Boeckrums (Judith Buckram), Blockmaker acc. by Willem Bru yster (William Brewster) and Abraham Graey his acq. Betr. 3 0 Nov. 1611, mar. 17 Dec. 1611 to Lisbeth Neel of Scrooby i n England, acc. by Briggita Robbensz (Bridget Robinson ne e White) and Jannetgen Thickins her acq. ... "Pantes, Will em (William Pontus) of England, Fustian-worker, living in t he Marendorp near Douveren, acc. by Willem Bruyster (Willia m Brewster), Rogier Wilson and Eduaert Sutwaert (Edward Sou thworth) his acq. betr. 13 Nov. 1610, mar. 4 Dec. 1610 to W ybre Hanson of England, acc. by Jjanneken Wit, Anna Folle r and Mary Botlaer her acq. ... "Reynouts, Jan (John Reyno lds) of London in England, Printer, living in the house o f Willem Pauwelsz in the Pieterkerkkorssteech, acc. by Jona than Willems (Jonathan Brewster) his acq. betr. 28 July 161 7, mar. 17 Aug. 1617 to Prudens Grindon of London in Englan d, acc. by Marye Bruyster (Mary Brewster) and Marye Allerto n. ... "Thickins, Reynulph, (Randall or Ralph Thickins) o f London in England, acc. by Jan Robberts (John Robinson) , Minister of God's Word and Willem Bruyster (William Brews ter) his acq. betr. 1 April 1611, mar 20 Apr 1611 to Jane W hite of Bebel (Beauvale) in England, acc. by Britsit Robben s (Bridget Robinson) her sister and Rosaman Gipson her acq . " Johanna W. Tammel, comp. The Pilgrims and other peopl e from the British Isles in Leiden, 1576-1640 (Isle of Ma n : Mansk-Svenska Publishing Co., c1989), p. 44, 51, 203, 2 23, 258. William Brewster : Arranging for Emigration "Those that stayed [in Leyden], being the greater number, r equired the pastor [John Robinson] to stay with them; and i ndeed for other reasons he could not then well go, and so i t was the more easily yielded unto. The other [Pilgrims lea ving Leyden] then desired the elder, Mr. Brewster, to go w ith them, which was also condescended unto. It was also agr eed on by mutual consent and covenant that those that wen t should be an absolute church of themselves, as well as th ose that stayed, seeing in such a dangerous voyage, and a r emoval to such a distance, it might come to pass they shoul d (for the body of them) never meet again in this world." W illiam Bradford, Of Plymouth Plantation 1620-1647, ed. Samu el Eliot Morison (New York : Knopf, 1991), p. 36. William Brewster and the "Pilgrim Press" : The Brewsters – William, Mary, Love and Wrestling : Mayflow er Passengers "The names of those which came over first, in the year 1620 , and were by the blessing of God the first beginners and i n a sort the foundation of all the Plantations and Colonie s in New England; and their families... "Mr. William Brewst er, Mary, his wife, with two sons, whose names were Love an d Wrestling. And a boy was put to him called Richard More , and another of his brothers. The rest of his children wer e left behind and came over afterwards." William Bradford , Of Plymouth Plantation 1620-1647, ed. Samuel Eliot Moriso n (New York : Knopf, 1991), p. 441-443. William Brewster : Signer of the Mayflower Compact "I shall ... begin with a combination made by them before t hey came ashore ; being the first foundation of their gover nment in this place. Occasioned partly by the discontente d and mutinous speeches that some of the strangers amongt t hem had let fa ll from them in the ship: That when they cam e ashore they would use their own liberty, for none had pow er to command them, the patent they had being for Virgini a and not for New England... And partly that such an act b y them done, this their condition considered, might be as f irm as any patent, and in some respects more sure. "The for m was as followeth : IN THE NAME OF GOD,AMEN. We whose name s are underwritten, the loyal subjects of our dread Soverei gn Lord King James, by the Grace of God of Great Britain, F rance and Ireland King, Defender of the Faith, etc. Havin g undertaken, for the Glory of God and advancement of the C hristian Faith and Honour of our King and Country, a Voyag e to plant the First Colony in the Northern parts of Virgin ia, do by these presents solemnly and mutually in the prese nce of God and one of another, Covenant and Combine ourselv es together into a Civil Body Politic, for our better order ing and preservation and furtherance of the ends aforesaid ; and by virtue hereof to enact, constitute and frame suc h just and equal Laws, Ordinances, Acts, Constitutions an d Offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most mee t and convenient for the general good of the Colony, unto w hich we promise all due submission and obedience. In witnes s whereof we have hereunder subscribed our names at Cape Co d, the 11th of November, in the year of the reign of our So vereign Lord King James, of England, France and Ireland th e eighteenth, and of Scotland the fifty-fourth. Anno Domin i 1620." William Bradford, Of Plymouth Plantation 1620-1647 , ed. Samuel Eliot Morison (New York : Knopf, 1991), p. 75- 76. William Brewster : the First Year of Plymouth Colony "But that which was most sad and lamentable was, that in tw o or three months' time half of their company died, especia lly in January and February, being the depth of winter, an d wanting houses and other comforts; being infected with th e scurvy and other diseases which this long voyage and thei r inaccommodate condition had brought upon them. So as ther e died some times two or three of a day in the foresaid tim e, that of 100 and odd persons, scarce fifty remained. An d of these, in the time of most distress, there was but si x or seven sound persons who to their great commendation, b e it spoken, spared no pains night nor day, but with abunda nce of toil and hazard of their own health, fetched them wo od, made them fires, dressed them meat, made their beds, wa shed their loathsome clothes, clothed and unclothed them. I n a word, did all the homely and necessary offices for the m which dainty and queasy stomachs cannot endure to hear na med; and all this willingly and cheerfully, without any gru dging in the least, showing herein their true love unto the ir friends and brethren; a rare example and worthy to be re membered. Two of these seven were Mr. William Brewster, the ir reverend Elder, and Myles Standish, their Captain and mi litary commander, unto whom myself and many others were muc h beholden in our low and sick condition. And yet the Lor d so upheld these persons as in this general calamity the y were not at all infected either with sickness or lameness ." William Bradford, Of Plymouth Plantation 1620-1647, ed . Samuel Eliot Morison (New York : Knopf, 1991), p. 77. William Brewster and the 1623 Division of Land The 1623 Division of Land marked the end of the Pilgrims' e arliest system of land held in common by all. Governor Brad ford explains it in this way: "And so assigned to every fam ily a parcel of land, according to the proportion of thei r number, for that end, only for present use (but made no d ivision for inheritance) and ranged all boys and youth unde r some family. This had very good success, for it made al l hands very industrious, so as much more corn was plante d than otherwise would have been by any means the Governo r or any other could use, and saved him a great deal of tro uble, and gave far better content. The wom Less Last Changed: August 4, 2014 U UnknownMMMC-X1VX Discussions Add Discussion William Brewster date of birth. May 21, 2013 It shows that he was born in 1600 in Essex, England. Both of his parent had passed away bt 1600. C Checketts Denece2
FSID	LH2V-RD6
Death	10 Apr 1644	Duxbury, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA
	age 77
Person ID	I110931	WETZEL-SPRING

Father	Brewster, William
Relationship	natural
Mother	Smythe, Mary
Relationship	natural
Family ID	F65142	Group Sheet \| Family Chart

Family 1 Brewster, Mary Mrs

Children

	1. Brewster, Love Elder, b. Abt 1612, Leiden, Leiden, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands d. 1 Oct 1650, Duxbury, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA (Age 38 years) [Father: natural] [Mother: natural]
	2. Brewster, Wrestling, b. Abt 1614, Leiden, Leiden, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands [Father: natural] [Mother: natural]
	3. Brewster, Fear, b. 20 Jun 1606, Scrooby, Nottinghamshire, England d. Bef 12 Dec 1634, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, USA (Age < 28 years) [Father: natural] [Mother: natural]
	4. Brewster, Jonathan [Father: natural] [Mother: natural]
	5. Brewster, Patience [Father: natural] [Mother: natural]

Family ID F65141 Group Sheet | Family Chart

Family 2

Children

1. Brewster, Patience, b. Abt 1600, Scrooby, Nottinghamshire, England

d. Bef 12 Dec 1634, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

(Age < 34 years) [Father: natural]

Family ID F62682 Group Sheet | Family Chart

Event Map

	Birth - Abt Jun 1566 - Scrooby, Nottinghamshire, England
	Death - 10 Apr 1644 - Duxbury, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

= Link to Google Earth

Photos		Brewster, Wm Mayflower LDS 20251120GHLn- William Brewster Male about 1566 – 10 April 1644 • LH2V-RD6 Sources (33) Collaborate (13) Memories (41) Notes This profile has been well researched. A considerable effort has been made to ensure that the basic vitals and relationships of this Mayflower passenger conform to 1) available records/primary source documents, 2) the…
Photos		Mayflower Compact 1620 LDS 20260309GHLn- 2nd Name On The List Tagged People Edward Fuller Male 1575-1621 • LZLK-XYP Stephen Hopkins Male 1581-1644 • LVQ1-FMH Captain Myles Standish Male 1584-1656 • LVCG-3JV Isaac Allerton Male 1586-1659 • LY9K-M99 Edward Winslow Attach to Tree Francis Cooke Male 1583-1663 • LZ2F-MM7 John Billington Male 1580-1630 •…

Notes

20251120GHLn-
William Brewster
Male
about 1566 – 10 April 1644
• LH2V-RD6

Sources (33)
Collaborate (13)
Memories (41)

Notes
This profile has been well researched.

A considerable effort has been made to ensure that the basic vitals and relationships of this Mayflower passenger conform to 1) available records/primary source documents, 2) the Silver Books of the General Society of Mayflower Descendants [the series entitled “Mayflower Families for Five Generations”], and 3) the most up to date published research. Please help make this profile the best it can be by becoming familiar with the source material.
G2

Less
Last Changed: October 28, 2023

f
fultonbob msn.com
What evidence is there that he lived in Cambridge and had a child there in 1606?

The conjecture that he had a child in Cambridgeshire in 1606 does not have any evidence attached to support it. Is there any documentation? William Brewster was said to be bailiff in Scrooby until Sep 1607, and separatists met at his home there in 1607 which would contradict this theory that he moved to Cambridgeshire in 1606.

Last Changed: May 12, 2025

c
cmsu8
Burial's

Deceased people can be buried same day to even years, depending on situations, time era and weather conditions. Many years ago, the dead were kept in homes or in charnel houses in the cemetery until the ground thawed in the spring. The poor were covered with large stone-pile cairns to prevent predation and buried when the ground thawed, while the wealthy were interred in more elaborate above ground stone crypts in perpetuity.
In regards to William Brewster's month of death and possible weather conditions, it is better noted that he was buried in 1644 instead of April 1644 due to the ground may have been still frozen or just thawing. Making a notation that they are buried after their death date is senseless, its common sense.

Less
Last Changed: August 25, 2024

M
MaryMoore95
"Of Plymouth Plantation" by William Bradford

"Of Plymouth Plantation" by William Bradford, written c1630-c1654 About William Brewster: "After he had attained some learning, viz, the knowledge of Latin tongue, and some insight in the Greek, and spent some small time at Cambridge, and then being first seasoned with the seeds of grace and virtue, he went to the court, and served that religious and godly gentleman, Mr. Davison, divers years, when he was Secretary of State; who found him so discreet and faithful as he trusted him abouve all other that were about him, and only employed him in all matters of greatest trust and secrecy... he attended his mr. when he was sent in ambassage by the Queen into the Low Countries... And, at his return, the States honored him with a gold chain, and his master committed it to him, and commanded him to wear it when they arrived in England, as they rid through the country, till they came to the court...Afterwards he went and lived in the country, in good esteem amongst his friends and the gentlemen of those parts, especially the Godly and religious. He did much good in the country where he lived, in promoting and furthering religion not only by his practise and example, and provocating and encouraging of others, but by procuiring of good preachers to the places thereabouts, and drawing on of others to assist and help foraward in such work; he himself most commonly deepest in the charge, and sometimes above his ability.... They ordinarily met at this house on the Lord's day, (which was a manor of the bishops) and with great love he entertained them when they came, making provision for them to his great charge. He was the chief of those that were taken at Boston, and suffered the greatest loss; and of the seven that were kept longest in prison, and after bound over...After he came into Holland he suffered much hardship, after he had spent the most of his means, having a great charge, and many children; and, in regard of his former breeding and course of life, not so fit for ma ny employments as others were, especially as were toilsome and laborious. But yet he ever bore his condition with much cheerfulness and contention. Toward the later part of those 12 years spent in Holland, his outward condition was mended, and he lived well and plentifully; for he fell into a way to teach many studenlts, who had a desire to learn the English tongue, to teach them English;....He also had means to set up printing, by the help of some friends...and by reason of many books which would not be allowed to be printed in England, they might have had more then they could do.....And besides that , he would labor with his hands in the fields as long as he was able; yet when the chlurch had no other minister, hel taught twice every Sabbath....discreet and well spoken, having a grave and deliberate utterance, of a very cheerful spirit, very sociable and pleasant among his friends, of an humble and modest mind, of peaceable disposition, undervaluing himself and his own abilities...inoffensive and innocent in his life and conversation...he was tender-hearted, and compassionate of such as were in misery, but especially of such as had been of good estate and rank, and were fallen into want and poverty, either for goodness and religions sake, or by the injury and oppression of others; ...." ************* "William Brewster was the Reverend Elder of the Pilgrim's church at Plymouth, since their pastor John Robinson remained behind in Leyden, Holland with the majority of the congregation which planned to come to America at a later time. Brewster was a fugitive from the King of England, because he had published a number of religious pamphlets while in Leyden which were critical or opposed the tenets of the Church of England. He had been a member of the Separatist church movement from its very beginning, and was the oldest Mayflower passenger to have participated at the First Thankgiving, in his early fifties" ........ Caleb Johnson, Mayflower Web Pages 1997 http://members.aol.com/calebj/passenger.html

Less
Last Changed: March 4, 2024

R
RobertParken
Notes

Love the son of William and Mary Brewster was born in 1611 in Leiden if that is correct, then Mary was 42 years old, when her son Love was born.
In a document over a sale with Bernard Ross, not so long after they arrived in Leiden is William Brewster, 42 years old, on the 25th of June 1609, than he was born ca. 1567, in the dutch record, he is called Willem Bruster, his wife Mary, in dutch Marijtgen, was 40 years old, then she was born ca. 1569, there son Jonathan, was 12 years old, that is he born in 1597.
On the 20th of June 1609, a child of William and Mary Brewster died, they where living in the Stincksteeg. I don't know the name of age of that child, I assume that the child was not yet 4 years old.
In 1620 William Brewster, was ca. 53 years old, and Mary , 51, when they went over on the Mayflower.

Less
Last Changed: February 29, 2024

J
JenniferBurke1
Brief Life History and Biography is Posted at the Bottom of this Details Page with Additional Information

This Note is posted here so that Descendants and Contributors may be aware it is there. Time and effort is expended by others to enter the information, and many do not realize it exists. In prior set up of Profile Page for people, this was entered at the Top of the Profile Page titled Life Sketch. A question was asked about why there are so many Duplicates of Individuals. Researching Ancestors and Contributors should check first to see if the Person or Ancestor Profile has already been created by another before creating a new one. Often there is already extensive research, work, Vitals, details and Sources that has already been entered providing a wealth of information regarding the person that extremely is helpful, such as this Profile. Building on from there helps prevent Duplicates, if the Person is the same ancestor shared with others. An Orange Alert Banner explains the detailed research already done. When a Duplicate person hint is shown and reviewed, before a merge is done, all Profile information should be checked by looking at the 'possible duplicate's entire Profile page, not only the Vitals, family shown or any thing else on the Merge page, before merging with the other. Some people are new to this site, and there is a learning curve. Merging Duplicates is a process, sometimes complicated and information can be lost. Possible Duplicates do not have to be merged. A 'Preference' check mark can be affixed. A Person is never to be deleted.

Less
Last Changed: July 26, 2023

G
GinaHall Fowler
Notes

Leiden is built between two arms of the Rijn, the Nieuwe Rijn and the Oude Rijn. The lage Rijndijk was like the Hoge Rijndijk part of Leiderdorp.
You see on those maps, Leiden between the Walls. And Leiderdorp, Oegstgeest, and Zoeterwoude. We know that William Brewster, left Leiden, to find exile in Leiderdorp, look at the map of Leiderdorp, he only had to cross one of the bridges, only around 20 minutes from his house in the Stincksteeg, and the Schout (Sheriff) did not have the juristiction, to arrest him. I don't know if he went to the little village of Leiderdorp or stayed on the Hoge of Lage Rijndijk or some there else out side the boundery of Leiden. The map are before 1890 or so, than the boundaries from Leiden changed.
this was the Hogewoerdsebuitenpoort (Hogewoerds outside gate.). In the time of your ancestors, there where many Gates, in side was Leiden, outside the Gates you came in to the territorium, of Leiderdorp, Oegstgeest and Voorschoten. We know that, William Brewster, Johannes Sol and others, where in Leiderdorp. Leiderdorp was not only a small village on the Rijndijk, its territorium was fast, you have seen the maps place I before. There are only two Gates left in Leiden, the Morspoort and the Zijlpoort.

Less
Last Changed: October 20, 2022

J
Jean Barbara Alcock
Education

He was educated in both English, Greek and Latin and spent time at Cambridge University, although he never completed a full degree. Cambridge was a center of thought concerning religious reformism.

Last Changed: August 5, 2022

C
Cindy911
Predicting the Location of Plymouth Village

http://www.plymoutharch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/leyden-st-houses.pdf
Citation
Excellent info on the original location of Plymouth Colony, with sources and documents
Notes
By Craig S. Chartier - Plymouth Archaelogical Rediscovery Project

Less
Last Changed: March 22, 2022

B
BelMark
Could someone edit this?

Though not included here, William Brewster left behind numerous volumes of books--so many that a separate inventory was made of them. Dying intestate, it was agreed by his sons that they could agree on a fair and impartial settlement of their father's estate, however this was not entirely the case as noted in the last of these proceedings. Elder William Brewster died at Plymouth, 10 April 1644, without having made a will, and on 5 June, 1644, his "onely two sonnes surviveing," Jonathan and Love, were appointed administrators of his estate. Court Orders, II: 101. Under date of 5 June, 1644. Lres of administracon of all the goods and cattells of mr Willm Brewster deceased are graunted by the Court to Jonathan Brewster and Love Brewster And A true Inventory thereof was exhibited to the Court upon the Oathes of the said Jonathan & Love. Plymouth Colony Wills, I: 53. Lres of Administracon of all the goods and cattells of mr Willm Brewster Deceased were graunted to Jonathan Brewster and Love Brewster at the genrall Court holden at Plymouth the fift Day of June in the xxth yeare of his said Mas now Raigne of England &c and a true Inventory thereof was exhibited to the Court upon the Oathes of the said Jonathan and Love the same Court. The totall is 107 0 8 Myles Standish Tho: Prence. The totall of both latten & English books amounts to the sum of 42 . 19 . 11 The totall both of goods & bookes amounts in all to 150 . 00 . 27 Wm Bradford Tho: Prence Plymouth Colony Deeds, I: 198 Bradford Govr Whereas William Brewster late of Plym gent deceased left onely two sonnes surviveing vizt Jonathan the Eldest and Love the yeonger And whereas the said William dyed intestate for ought can to this day appeare The said Jonathan and Love his sonnes when they returned from the buriall of their father to the house of Mr Willm Bradford of Plymouth in the prsence of mr Raph Partrich Pastor of Duxborrow mr John Reynor Teacher of the Church at Plymouth and mr Edward Buckley Pastor of the Church at Marshfeild and many others being exhorted to honor their Revrend father wth a peaceable pceeding about the division of his estate between them. The said Jonathan first answered for his part that although hee were the elder yet was willing to devide lands and goods equally betweene himself and brother. And if in case any differrence should arrise betweene them that it might be soone suppressed said he heere are four of my fathers deere and auncient frends vizt mr Willm Bradford then Govrnor of Plymouth mr Edward Winslow of Marshfeild mr Thomas Prence of Plymouth aforesaid and Captaine Miles Standish of Duxborrow. And if my brother please to accept my motion whereinsoevr we shall differ we will stand to their award wch shalbe as firme as if it had beene done by our father &c To all wch the said Love Brewster condiscended to the greate satisfaccon of the whole Assembly the said freinds of his father being there also prsent who willingly engaged themselves therein to the utmost of their power And whereas afterward differrence arose betweene the said brethren Jonathan and Love in divers prticulers about the late dwelling house of their said father at Duxborrow wherein the said Love dwelt and had donn from his marriage to that instant also about certaine accompt wherein Jonathan was made debtor to the estate in a large sume &c Hereupon according to prmise they referring themselves to the said speciall and most intimate frends of their said father the said Edward Winslow afterwards Govrnor of Plymouth mr Willm Bradford mr Thomas Prence and Captaine Miles Standish aforesaid haveing heard divers thinges alleadged on Loves behalf to prove that the said House and half the Lands of the said Willm belonging thereunto aswell as any other the lands of the said Willm devided or to be devided wth an entire half part of the estate of the said Willm was given to the said Love and Sarah his wyfe upon a Covenant of Contract of marryage to be due at the death of the said Willm Brewst er now deceased. All wch was offerred to be prooved legally if neede require by solemne prmise though not in writing The said Jonathan also offerring to take off upon oath the greatest prt of the said debts also &c The said Edward Winslow Willm Bradford Thomas Prence & Captaine Miles Standish being well acquainted wth their said case aswell by divers thinges heard from their revrend father in his life as by the evedence now offerred to be prduced on both sides determyned as followeth And first of all for the said debts wch were alleadged against the said Jonathan the elder brother by the said Love the yonger as aforesaid we conceive that if their father had not acquitted them before his death yet hee would nevr have charged his Eldest sonn wth them in regard of his greate charge of children and so beleeveing it was donn actually or intensively or both we discharged Jonathan of all the said debt his brother made him debtor to the estate aforesaid except foure pounds sterling wch wee award him to pay his brother Love in consideracon of the wintering of some cattell wch the said Jonathan had the sommering upon the division and for the dyett of Isaack Allerton a grandchild of the said Willm wch he had placed wth his sonn Love to table And because hee was the first borne of his father we gave him his fathers Armes and also a two yeare old heiffer over and above his part of the devideables of the said estate. And for the Dwelling house aforesaid of the said Willm wherein the said Love Brewster resided we were so well acquainted wth the purpose of the sd Willm now deceased and the evidence offerred for proofe seemed to us so strong as wee beleeveing the said Willm had actually or intentively or both given the said house to his sonn Love and Sarah his wyfe and their heires &c Wee the Edward William Thomas and Myles awarded the said dwelling house to the said Love and Sarah his wyfe and their heires &c together wth half the said Estate of Lands goods and cattells except befo re excepted and aswell such other lands as are not yet divided blonging to the said Willm as a Purchaser of the Patent & Plantacon of New Plymouth aforesaid as that at Duxborrow whereon hee lived And whereas some differrence might have arrisen about the division of the said Lands at Duxborrow mr Willm Vassell being requested to survey the said Lands he made a division of yt in two parts being an hundred & eleaven acrees of upland or there abouts vizt to Jonathan Brewster an sixtie eight acrees or there abouts wch lay entire together next a dwelling house wch the said Jonathan had built on the said land by the leave of his said father and all the meadow on that side a creeke (wch divided the greatest part of the said land) below a Bridg on the way betweene the houses of Jonathan and Love his brother And to Love Brewster fourty three acrees of upland or there abouts adjoyneing to his dwelling house whereof thirty acrees was cleered land and almost all in tillage the other thirteene being woodland as it was devided in the said Plott drawne by the said Surveighor and marked out and allowed by us except a prcell of land about three quarters of an acree prte in the garden of the said Jonathan and prt in a Swamp adjoyneing wherein onely the said Jonathan had Water to his house as it was marked and staked by us Also we gave unto Love Brewster all the meadow on that side the Creek adjoyneing to his land where he liveth and also that smale prcell wch lyeth above the Bridg betweene their two houses before expressed And the reason wherefore we gave Love the lesse quantitie was and is because the quallity of Loves land in goodnes is equall to the quantitie of Jonathans as we judg And that this is the full determinacon of us the said Edward Willm Thomas and Myles upon the referrence aforesaid of the said Jonathan and Love as wee are prswaded in our consciences to be equall and just haveing to our best abillities faythfully discharged our duties towards God their deceased father o ur former worthy frend and towards Jonathan and Love his onely children remayneing In witnes thereof we have put to our hands and ordered it to be put Upon the Records of the Gover meet. ffinished at Plymouth the xxth August 1645 William Bradford Edw: Winslow Tho: Prence Myles Standish Source: www.mayflowerfamilies.com

Less
Last Changed: March 9, 2022

B
BelMark
William Brewster was the Reverend Elder

William Brewster was the Reverend Elder of the Pilgrim's church at Plymouth, since their pastor John Robinson remained behind in Leyden, Holland with the majority of the congregation which planned to come to America at a later time. Brewster was a fugitive from the King of England, because he had published a number of religious pamphlets while in Leyden which were critical or opposed the tenets of the Church of England. He had been a member of the Separatist church movement from its very beginning, and was the oldest Mayflower passenger to have participated at the First Thanksgiving, in his early fifties. William Bradford wrote a lot about William Brewster in Of Plymouth Plantation, some of which follows: After he had attained some learning, viz. the knowledge of Latin tongue, and some insight in the Greek, and spent some small time at Cambridge, and then being first seasoned with the seeds of grace and virtue, he went to the court, and served that religious and godly gentleman, Mr. Davison, divers years, when he was Secretary of State; who found him so discreet and faithful as he trusted him above all other that were about him, and only employed him in all matters of greatest trust and secrecy . . . he attended his mr. when he was sent in ambassage by the Queen into the Low Countries . . . And, at his return, the States honored him with a gold chain, and his master committed it to him, and commanded him to wear it when they arrived in England, as they rid through the country, till they came to the court . . . Afterwards he went and lived in the country, in good esteem amongst his friends and the gentlemen of those parts, especially the Godly and religious. He did much good in the country where he lived, in promoting and furthering religion not only by his practise and example, and provocating and encouraging of others, but by procuring of good preachers to the places thereabouts, and drawing on of others to assist and help forward in such work; he himself most comm only deepest in the charge, and sometimes above his ability. . . . They ordinarily met at this house on the Lord's day, (which was a manor of the bishops) and with great love he entertained them when they came, making provision for them to his great charge. He was the chief of those that were taken at Boston, and suffered the greatest loss; and of the seven that were kept longest in prison, and after bound over . . . After he came into Holland he suffered much hardship, after he had spent the most of his means, having a great charge, and many children; and, in regard of his former breeding and course of life, not so fit for many employments as others were, especially as were toilsome and laborious. But yet he ever bore his condition with much cheerfulness and contention. Towards the later part of those 12 years spent in Holland, his outward condition was mended, and he lived well and plentifully; for he fell into a way to teach many students, who had a desire to learn the English tongue, to teach them English; . . . He also had means to set up printing, by the help of some friends . . . and by reason of many books which would not be allowed to be printed in England, they might have had more then they could do. . . . And besides that, he would labor with his hands in the fields as long as he was able; yet when the church had no other minister, he taught twice every Sabbath . . . For his personal abilities, he was qualified above many; he was wise and discreet and well spoken, having a grave and deliberate utterance, of a very cheerful spirit, very sociable and pleasant amongst his friends, of an humble and modest mind, of a peaceable disposition, undervaluing himself and his own abilities . . . inoffensive and innocent in his life and conversation . . . he was tender-hearted, and compassionate of such as were in misery, but especially of such as had been of good estate and rank, and were fallen into want and poverty, either for goodness and religions sake, or by the injury and oppression of others; . . . NOTE ON WILLIAM BREWSTER'S WIFE: The maiden name of William Brewster's wife has not been proven. The claim it was Mary Wentworth rests solely on the fact that Mary Wentworth happened to live somewhat close to William Brewster in Scrooby, Nottingham. That is very shaky evidence to say the least. Further, it has been proposed that William Brewster may have married Mary Wyrall, but the evidence is just as flimsy for that marriage. There are no fewer than seven marriages from 1590-1610 that have been located in parish registers showing a William Brewster marrying a Mary. All, however, have been satisfactorily eliminated as probable candidates for the William and Mary (Brewster) who came on the Mayflower. So at present, there is no evidence to document who William Brewster's wife Mary actually was.

Less
Last Changed: July 20, 2015

D
Doug Scofield
WILLIAM BREWSTER IN 17TH CENTURY RECORD

WILLIAM BREWSTER IN 17TH CENTURY RECORDS William Brewster : an English Separatist "... many became enlightened by the Word of God and had the ir ignorance and sins discovered unto them, and began by Hi s grace to reform their lives and make conscience of thei r ways ... "... they shook off this yoke of antichristian b ondage, and as the Lord's free people joined themselves (b y a covenant of the Lord) into a church estate, in the fell owship of the gospel, to walk in all His ways made known, o r to be made known unto them, according to their best endea vours, whatsoever it should cost them, the Lord assisting t hem. And that it cost them something this ensuing history w ill declare ... "... besides other worthy men, was Mr. Rich ard Clyfton, a grave and reverend preacher, who by his pain s and diligence had done much good, and under God had bee n a means of the conversion of many. And also that famous a nd worthy man Mr. John Robinson, who afterwards was their p astor for many years, till the Lord took him away by death . Also Mr. William Brewster a reverend man, who afterward s was chosen an elder of the church and lived with them til l old age." William Bradford, Of Plymouth Plantation 1620-1 647, ed. Samuel Eliot Morison (New York : Knopf, 1991), p . 8-10. William Brewster and the Separatists in Holland "... by a joint consent they resolved to go into the Low Co untries ... "Now when Mr. Robinson, Mr. Brewster and othe r principal members were come over (for they were of the la st and stayed to help the weakest over before them) such th ings were thought on as were necessary for their settling a nd best ordering of the church affairs... "Being thus settl ed [in Leyden] (after many difficulties) they continued man y years in a comfortable condition, enjoying much sweet an d delightful society and spiritual comfort together in th e ways of God, under the able ministry and prudent governme nt of Mr. John Robinson and Mr. William Brewster who was a n assistant unto him in the place of an Elder, unto which h e was now called and chosen by the Church." William Bradfor d, Of Plymouth Plantation 1620-1647, ed. Samuel Eliot Moris on (New York : Knopf, 1991), p. 10-17. William and Mary Brewster in the Records of Leiden, Holland "Besset, Willem of Sandwich in England, Hodman, widr. of Si sle Lecht (Cecily Light), acc. by Rogier Wilson and Wille m Bruystaert (William Brewster) his acq. betr. 19 March 161 1 to Maycken Botler (Mary Butler) of Norwich in England, ac c. by Anna Foller and Roos Leyl her acq. The bride died bef ore the publication of the third bann. ... "Boeckrum, Will em (William Buckram) of Ipswich in England, widr. of Judic k Boeckrums (Judith Buckram), Blockmaker acc. by Willem Bru yster (William Brewster) and Abraham Graey his acq. Betr. 3 0 Nov. 1611, mar. 17 Dec. 1611 to Lisbeth Neel of Scrooby i n England, acc. by Briggita Robbensz (Bridget Robinson ne e White) and Jannetgen Thickins her acq. ... "Pantes, Will em (William Pontus) of England, Fustian-worker, living in t he Marendorp near Douveren, acc. by Willem Bruyster (Willia m Brewster), Rogier Wilson and Eduaert Sutwaert (Edward Sou thworth) his acq. betr. 13 Nov. 1610, mar. 4 Dec. 1610 to W ybre Hanson of England, acc. by Jjanneken Wit, Anna Folle r and Mary Botlaer her acq. ... "Reynouts, Jan (John Reyno lds) of London in England, Printer, living in the house o f Willem Pauwelsz in the Pieterkerkkorssteech, acc. by Jona than Willems (Jonathan Brewster) his acq. betr. 28 July 161 7, mar. 17 Aug. 1617 to Prudens Grindon of London in Englan d, acc. by Marye Bruyster (Mary Brewster) and Marye Allerto n. ... "Thickins, Reynulph, (Randall or Ralph Thickins) o f London in England, acc. by Jan Robberts (John Robinson) , Minister of God's Word and Willem Bruyster (William Brews ter) his acq. betr. 1 April 1611, mar 20 Apr 1611 to Jane W hite of Bebel (Beauvale) in England, acc. by Britsit Robben s (Bridget Robinson) her sister and Rosaman Gipson her acq . " Johanna W. Tammel, comp. The Pilgrims and other peopl e from the British Isles in Leiden, 1576-1640 (Isle of Ma n : Mansk-Svenska Publishing Co., c1989), p. 44, 51, 203, 2 23, 258. William Brewster : Arranging for Emigration "Those that stayed [in Leyden], being the greater number, r equired the pastor [John Robinson] to stay with them; and i ndeed for other reasons he could not then well go, and so i t was the more easily yielded unto. The other [Pilgrims lea ving Leyden] then desired the elder, Mr. Brewster, to go w ith them, which was also condescended unto. It was also agr eed on by mutual consent and covenant that those that wen t should be an absolute church of themselves, as well as th ose that stayed, seeing in such a dangerous voyage, and a r emoval to such a distance, it might come to pass they shoul d (for the body of them) never meet again in this world." W illiam Bradford, Of Plymouth Plantation 1620-1647, ed. Samu el Eliot Morison (New York : Knopf, 1991), p. 36. William Brewster and the "Pilgrim Press" : The Brewsters – William, Mary, Love and Wrestling : Mayflow er Passengers "The names of those which came over first, in the year 1620 , and were by the blessing of God the first beginners and i n a sort the foundation of all the Plantations and Colonie s in New England; and their families... "Mr. William Brewst er, Mary, his wife, with two sons, whose names were Love an d Wrestling. And a boy was put to him called Richard More , and another of his brothers. The rest of his children wer e left behind and came over afterwards." William Bradford , Of Plymouth Plantation 1620-1647, ed. Samuel Eliot Moriso n (New York : Knopf, 1991), p. 441-443. William Brewster : Signer of the Mayflower Compact "I shall ... begin with a combination made by them before t hey came ashore ; being the first foundation of their gover nment in this place. Occasioned partly by the discontente d and mutinous speeches that some of the strangers amongt t hem had let fa ll from them in the ship: That when they cam e ashore they would use their own liberty, for none had pow er to command them, the patent they had being for Virgini a and not for New England... And partly that such an act b y them done, this their condition considered, might be as f irm as any patent, and in some respects more sure. "The for m was as followeth : IN THE NAME OF GOD,AMEN. We whose name s are underwritten, the loyal subjects of our dread Soverei gn Lord King James, by the Grace of God of Great Britain, F rance and Ireland King, Defender of the Faith, etc. Havin g undertaken, for the Glory of God and advancement of the C hristian Faith and Honour of our King and Country, a Voyag e to plant the First Colony in the Northern parts of Virgin ia, do by these presents solemnly and mutually in the prese nce of God and one of another, Covenant and Combine ourselv es together into a Civil Body Politic, for our better order ing and preservation and furtherance of the ends aforesaid ; and by virtue hereof to enact, constitute and frame suc h just and equal Laws, Ordinances, Acts, Constitutions an d Offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most mee t and convenient for the general good of the Colony, unto w hich we promise all due submission and obedience. In witnes s whereof we have hereunder subscribed our names at Cape Co d, the 11th of November, in the year of the reign of our So vereign Lord King James, of England, France and Ireland th e eighteenth, and of Scotland the fifty-fourth. Anno Domin i 1620." William Bradford, Of Plymouth Plantation 1620-1647 , ed. Samuel Eliot Morison (New York : Knopf, 1991), p. 75- 76. William Brewster : the First Year of Plymouth Colony "But that which was most sad and lamentable was, that in tw o or three months' time half of their company died, especia lly in January and February, being the depth of winter, an d wanting houses and other comforts; being infected with th e scurvy and other diseases which this long voyage and thei r inaccommodate condition had brought upon them. So as ther e died some times two or three of a day in the foresaid tim e, that of 100 and odd persons, scarce fifty remained. An d of these, in the time of most distress, there was but si x or seven sound persons who to their great commendation, b e it spoken, spared no pains night nor day, but with abunda nce of toil and hazard of their own health, fetched them wo od, made them fires, dressed them meat, made their beds, wa shed their loathsome clothes, clothed and unclothed them. I n a word, did all the homely and necessary offices for the m which dainty and queasy stomachs cannot endure to hear na med; and all this willingly and cheerfully, without any gru dging in the least, showing herein their true love unto the ir friends and brethren; a rare example and worthy to be re membered. Two of these seven were Mr. William Brewster, the ir reverend Elder, and Myles Standish, their Captain and mi litary commander, unto whom myself and many others were muc h beholden in our low and sick condition. And yet the Lor d so upheld these persons as in this general calamity the y were not at all infected either with sickness or lameness ." William Bradford, Of Plymouth Plantation 1620-1647, ed . Samuel Eliot Morison (New York : Knopf, 1991), p. 77. William Brewster and the 1623 Division of Land The 1623 Division of Land marked the end of the Pilgrims' e arliest system of land held in common by all. Governor Brad ford explains it in this way: "And so assigned to every fam ily a parcel of land, according to the proportion of thei r number, for that end, only for present use (but made no d ivision for inheritance) and ranged all boys and youth unde r some family. This had very good success, for it made al l hands very industrious, so as much more corn was plante d than otherwise would have been by any means the Governo r or any other could use, and saved him a great deal of tro uble, and gave far better content. The wom

Less
Last Changed: August 4, 2014

U
UnknownMMMC-X1VX

Discussions
Add Discussion
William Brewster date of birth.
May 21, 2013
It shows that he was born in 1600 in Essex, England. Both of his parent had passed away bt 1600.

C
Checketts Denece2
20260309GHLn-
William Brewster 1560-1644
Short Biography of William Brewster 1566-1644 (9HGZ-5RW)
Contributed By
L
Lynn John Anderson
Short Biography of William Brewster 1566-1644 (9HGZ-5RW)

SOURCE:
Peterhouse Cambridge
Cambridge CB2 1RD
Tel: 01223 338200
Fax: 01223 337578

Hyperlink~~ http://www.pet.cam.ac.uk/petreans/who-was-william-brewster

Who was William Brewster?

William Brewster (c.1566–1644), born in 1566 or 1567 in Scrooby, near Retford, north Nottinghamshire, England, was a 'Pilgrim Father' colony leader and preacher who sailed on the Mayflower and, in 1620, reached what became the Plymouth Colony. He is generally considered to be the most famous of the Pilgrims.

William Brewster was the son of William Brewster (Senior) and his wife Prudence; he had a number of half-siblings. The Manor of Scrooby, where he was born, was in the possession of the Archbishops of York; the Manor itself was leased on easy terms by the Archbishop, Edwin Sandys, to his son, Sir Samuel. Brewster's father was Receiver, or Bailiff, to the Archbishop, having been appointed by Sandys' predecessor Edmund Grindal; with this post went that of Postmaster, with important responsibility for stage horses for the mails on the major Great North Road from London to Scotland, on which Scrooby lay.

Brewster entered Peterhouse in December 1580, aged about 14; the last reference to him in the College's records occurs in December 1581. After Peterhouse, in 1584, aged about 18, he entered the service at Court of William Davison, whom in 1585 he accompanied to the Low Countries where Davison was to negotiate an alliance with the States-General of the Netherlands. Cambridge had itself been, and remained, a centre of religious reformist thought; but Brewster's time with Davison in the Netherlands gave him the opportunity to hear and see more of reformed religion, and led him to draw closer to the concept of splitting from the Established Church of England.

Brewster remained with Davison when, in 1586, Davison was appointed assistant to Queen Elizabeth's Secretary of State, Francis Walsingham; but Davison lost the favor of the Queen in 1587. On Davison's dismissal from office and prosecution, Brewster returned to Scrooby, in 1590 being appointed, on the intercession of Davison, to succeed his father as Postmaster.

By the 1590s, Brewster's brother, James, a rebellious Anglican priest, had become Vicar of the nearby Nottinghamshire Parish of Sutton and Lound, from 1594 appointing dissenting Curates to Scrooby church. William Brewster went further, adopting Puritan views and setting out on a path of separation from the Church of England. He became a leading member of the Congregation of Brownists, which from about 1602 assembled on his farm at Scrooby; and in 1606 he formed the Separatist Church of Scrooby.

William and James Brewster were brought before the ecclesiastical courts for their dissent, and by 1607 this and other restrictions and pressures applied by the authorities convinced the Separatist Scrooby congregation of the need to emigrate to the more sympathetic atmosphere of Holland. Leaving England without permission was, however, illegal, and Brewster was betrayed, arrested and imprisoned. After his release in 1608, Brewster and others were ultimately successful in leaving for Holland from the River Humber.

Initially, the emigrating Pilgrims settled in Amsterdam, and worshipped with the 'Ancient Church' of Francis Johnson and Henry Ainsworth. Disputes between the two men led the church to divide and, after only a year, the Pilgrims moved to Leiden. In 1609, Brewster was elected as ruling Elder of the Pilgrim Separatist congregation. In Leiden, Brewster taught English and later, in 1616–1619, set up a press as the partner of one Thomas Brewer, to support his family and followers by printing and publishing religious books for illicit sale in England, where they were proscribed

.

In 1619, the printing type was seized by the authorities, under pressure from the English Ambassador, Sir Dudley Carleton, and Brewster's partner was arrested. Brewster escaped. Through the influence of the Treasurer of the London Virginia Company Sir Edwin Sandys, the brother of Sir Samuel who was the tenant of the Manor of Brewster's birthplace Scrooby, he obtained a patent for a grant of land in Virginia, in his own right and on behalf of his Pilgrim colleagues.

On 5th August 1620, thus, Brewster joined the first group of Pilgrims aboard the Mayflower on her famous voyage to North America, eventually landing at Plymouth, Massachusetts, to form the first permanent European settlement in New England. He was the oldest passenger on the voyage, aged about 54: he was accompanied by his wife, Mary, who was to die in 1627, and his sons, Love and Wrestling Brewster. A further son, Jonathan, joined the family in November 1621, arriving at Plymouth on the ship Fortune; and daughters Patience and Fear arrived in July 1623 aboard the Anne.

When the Pilgrims left for North America, the Pastor of the Leiden group, John Robinson, had remained behind. Brewster, as the only university-educated member of the colony, thus became its senior Elder, serving as its religious leader and as an advisor to Governor William Bradford (who had been a Nottinghamshire neighbor of the Brewsters, being born at Austerfield, about three miles from Scrooby, in about 1590). Brewster retained his role of leadership until a Pastor, Ralph Smith, arrived in 1629. He was granted land amongst the islands of Boston Harbor, four of which (Great Brewster, Little Brewster, Middle Brewster and Outer Brewster) now bear his name. After the arrival of Smith, Brewster continued to preach irregularly until his death on 10th April 1644 in Plymouth, aged about 78.

Of Brewster's six children, five survived to adulthood, four of whom themselves had children. Notable descendants of William Brewster include Roger Nash Baldwin, George W Bush, Chevy Chase, Julia Child, Bing Crosby, Ted Danson, Charles G Dawes, Howard Dean, John Foster Dulles, Richard Gere, Katharine Hepburn, Lyndon LaRouche, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Seth MacFarlane, Jan Masaryk, George B McClellan, Bill Richardson, Cokie Roberts, Nelson Rockefeller, Norman Rockwell, Brewster Shaw, David Souter, Adlai Stevenson III, and Zachary Taylor. In 2006, Byron Thomas Smith, from California, a direct descendant of Brewster, matriculated at Peterhouse to read for the M.B.A. degree

All content © Peterhouse, Cambridge.

Tagged People
Absalom Leggett Marsh
Male
1816-1893
• LHWQ-NB7

Mary Catherine Redd

William Brewster
Male
1566-1644
• LH2V-RD6

Contributed By
L
Lynn John Anderson
3 November 2014
Upload File Name
story.txt

Sources

[S3071] familysearch Mayflower.
William Brewster (1) fact
20251120GHLn-
20251120GHLn-
William Brewster
Male
about 1566 – 10 April 1644
• LH2V-RD6

Sources (33)
Collaborate (13)
Memories (41)

Notes
This profile has been well researched.

A considerable effort has been made to ensure that the basic vitals and relationships of this Mayflower passenger conform to 1) available records/primary source documents, 2) the Silver Books of the General Society of Mayflower Descendants [the series entitled “Mayflower Families for Five Generations”], and 3) the most up to date published research. Please help make this profile the best it can be by becoming familiar with the source material.
G2

Less
Last Changed: October 28, 2023

f
fultonbob msn.com
What evidence is there that he lived in Cambridge and had a child there in 1606?

The conjecture that he had a child in Cambridgeshire in 1606 does not have any evidence attached to support it. Is there any documentation? William Brewster was said to be bailiff in Scrooby until Sep 1607, and separatists met at his home there in 1607 which would contradict this theory that he moved to Cambridgeshire in 1606.

Last Changed: May 12, 2025

c
cmsu8
Burial's

Deceased people can be buried same day to even years, depending on situations, time era and weather conditions. Many years ago, the dead were kept in homes or in charnel houses in the cemetery until the ground thawed in the spring. The poor were covered with large stone-pile cairns to prevent predation and buried when the ground thawed, while the wealthy were interred in more elaborate above ground stone crypts in perpetuity.
In regards to William Brewster's month of death and possible weather conditions, it is better noted that he was buried in 1644 instead of April 1644 due to the ground may have been still frozen or just thawing. Making a notation that they are buried after their death date is senseless, its common sense.

Less
Last Changed: August 25, 2024

M
MaryMoore95
"Of Plymouth Plantation" by William Bradford

"Of Plymouth Plantation" by William Bradford, written c1630-c1654 About William Brewster: "After he had attained some learning, viz, the knowledge of Latin tongue, and some insight in the Greek, and spent some small time at Cambridge, and then being first seasoned with the seeds of grace and virtue, he went to the court, and served that religious and godly gentleman, Mr. Davison, divers years, when he was Secretary of State; who found him so discreet and faithful as he trusted him abouve all other that were about him, and only employed him in all matters of greatest trust and secrecy... he attended his mr. when he was sent in ambassage by the Queen into the Low Countries... And, at his return, the States honored him with a gold chain, and his master committed it to him, and commanded him to wear it when they arrived in England, as they rid through the country, till they came to the court...Afterwards he went and lived in the country, in good esteem amongst his friends and the gentlemen of those parts, especially the Godly and religious. He did much good in the country where he lived, in promoting and furthering religion not only by his practise and example, and provocating and encouraging of others, but by procuiring of good preachers to the places thereabouts, and drawing on of others to assist and help foraward in such work; he himself most commonly deepest in the charge, and sometimes above his ability.... They ordinarily met at this house on the Lord's day, (which was a manor of the bishops) and with great love he entertained them when they came, making provision for them to his great charge. He was the chief of those that were taken at Boston, and suffered the greatest loss; and of the seven that were kept longest in prison, and after bound over...After he came into Holland he suffered much hardship, after he had spent the most of his means, having a great charge, and many children; and, in regard of his former breeding and course of life, not so fit for ma ny employments as others were, especially as were toilsome and laborious. But yet he ever bore his condition with much cheerfulness and contention. Toward the later part of those 12 years spent in Holland, his outward condition was mended, and he lived well and plentifully; for he fell into a way to teach many studenlts, who had a desire to learn the English tongue, to teach them English;....He also had means to set up printing, by the help of some friends...and by reason of many books which would not be allowed to be printed in England, they might have had more then they could do.....And besides that , he would labor with his hands in the fields as long as he was able; yet when the chlurch had no other minister, hel taught twice every Sabbath....discreet and well spoken, having a grave and deliberate utterance, of a very cheerful spirit, very sociable and pleasant among his friends, of an humble and modest mind, of peaceable disposition, undervaluing himself and his own abilities...inoffensive and innocent in his life and conversation...he was tender-hearted, and compassionate of such as were in misery, but especially of such as had been of good estate and rank, and were fallen into want and poverty, either for goodness and religions sake, or by the injury and oppression of others; ...." ************* "William Brewster was the Reverend Elder of the Pilgrim's church at Plymouth, since their pastor John Robinson remained behind in Leyden, Holland with the majority of the congregation which planned to come to America at a later time. Brewster was a fugitive from the King of England, because he had published a number of religious pamphlets while in Leyden which were critical or opposed the tenets of the Church of England. He had been a member of the Separatist church movement from its very beginning, and was the oldest Mayflower passenger to have participated at the First Thankgiving, in his early fifties" ........ Caleb Johnson, Mayflower Web Pages 1997 http://members.aol.com/calebj/passenger.html

Less
Last Changed: March 4, 2024

R
RobertParken
Notes

Love the son of William and Mary Brewster was born in 1611 in Leiden if that is correct, then Mary was 42 years old, when her son Love was born.
In a document over a sale with Bernard Ross, not so long after they arrived in Leiden is William Brewster, 42 years old, on the 25th of June 1609, than he was born ca. 1567, in the dutch record, he is called Willem Bruster, his wife Mary, in dutch Marijtgen, was 40 years old, then she was born ca. 1569, there son Jonathan, was 12 years old, that is he born in 1597.
On the 20th of June 1609, a child of William and Mary Brewster died, they where living in the Stincksteeg. I don't know the name of age of that child, I assume that the child was not yet 4 years old.
In 1620 William Brewster, was ca. 53 years old, and Mary , 51, when they went over on the Mayflower.

Less
Last Changed: February 29, 2024

J
JenniferBurke1
Brief Life History and Biography is Posted at the Bottom of this Details Page with Additional Information

This Note is posted here so that Descendants and Contributors may be aware it is there. Time and effort is expended by others to enter the information, and many do not realize it exists. In prior set up of Profile Page for people, this was entered at the Top of the Profile Page titled Life Sketch. A question was asked about why there are so many Duplicates of Individuals. Researching Ancestors and Contributors should check first to see if the Person or Ancestor Profile has already been created by another before creating a new one. Often there is already extensive research, work, Vitals, details and Sources that has already been entered providing a wealth of information regarding the person that extremely is helpful, such as this Profile. Building on from there helps prevent Duplicates, if the Person is the same ancestor shared with others. An Orange Alert Banner explains the detailed research already done. When a Duplicate person hint is shown and reviewed, before a merge is done, all Profile information should be checked by looking at the 'possible duplicate's entire Profile page, not only the Vitals, family shown or any thing else on the Merge page, before merging with the other. Some people are new to this site, and there is a learning curve. Merging Duplicates is a process, sometimes complicated and information can be lost. Possible Duplicates do not have to be merged. A 'Preference' check mark can be affixed. A Person is never to be deleted.

Less
Last Changed: July 26, 2023

G
GinaHall Fowler
Notes

Leiden is built between two arms of the Rijn, the Nieuwe Rijn and the Oude Rijn. The lage Rijndijk was like the Hoge Rijndijk part of Leiderdorp.
You see on those maps, Leiden between the Walls. And Leiderdorp, Oegstgeest, and Zoeterwoude. We know that William Brewster, left Leiden, to find exile in Leiderdorp, look at the map of Leiderdorp, he only had to cross one of the bridges, only around 20 minutes from his house in the Stincksteeg, and the Schout (Sheriff) did not have the juristiction, to arrest him. I don't know if he went to the little village of Leiderdorp or stayed on the Hoge of Lage Rijndijk or some there else out side the boundery of Leiden. The map are before 1890 or so, than the boundaries from Leiden changed.
this was the Hogewoerdsebuitenpoort (Hogewoerds outside gate.). In the time of your ancestors, there where many Gates, in side was Leiden, outside the Gates you came in to the territorium, of Leiderdorp, Oegstgeest and Voorschoten. We know that, William Brewster, Johannes Sol and others, where in Leiderdorp. Leiderdorp was not only a small village on the Rijndijk, its territorium was fast, you have seen the maps place I before. There are only two Gates left in Leiden, the Morspoort and the Zijlpoort.

Less
Last Changed: October 20, 2022

J
Jean Barbara Alcock
Education

He was educated in both English, Greek and Latin and spent time at Cambridge University, although he never completed a full degree. Cambridge was a center of thought concerning religious reformism.

Last Changed: August 5, 2022

C
Cindy911
Predicting the Location of Plymouth Village

http://www.plymoutharch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/leyden-st-houses.pdf
Citation
Excellent info on the original location of Plymouth Colony, with sources and documents
Notes
By Craig S. Chartier - Plymouth Archaelogical Rediscovery Project

Less
Last Changed: March 22, 2022

B
BelMark
Could someone edit this?

Though not included here, William Brewster left behind numerous volumes of books--so many that a separate inventory was made of them. Dying intestate, it was agreed by his sons that they could agree on a fair and impartial settlement of their father's estate, however this was not entirely the case as noted in the last of these proceedings. Elder William Brewster died at Plymouth, 10 April 1644, without having made a will, and on 5 June, 1644, his "onely two sonnes surviveing," Jonathan and Love, were appointed administrators of his estate. Court Orders, II: 101. Under date of 5 June, 1644. Lres of administracon of all the goods and cattells of mr Willm Brewster deceased are graunted by the Court to Jonathan Brewster and Love Brewster And A true Inventory thereof was exhibited to the Court upon the Oathes of the said Jonathan & Love. Plymouth Colony Wills, I: 53. Lres of Administracon of all the goods and cattells of mr Willm Brewster Deceased were graunted to Jonathan Brewster and Love Brewster at the genrall Court holden at Plymouth the fift Day of June in the xxth yeare of his said Mas now Raigne of England &c and a true Inventory thereof was exhibited to the Court upon the Oathes of the said Jonathan and Love the same Court. The totall is 107 0 8 Myles Standish Tho: Prence. The totall of both latten & English books amounts to the sum of 42 . 19 . 11 The totall both of goods & bookes amounts in all to 150 . 00 . 27 Wm Bradford Tho: Prence Plymouth Colony Deeds, I: 198 Bradford Govr Whereas William Brewster late of Plym gent deceased left onely two sonnes surviveing vizt Jonathan the Eldest and Love the yeonger And whereas the said William dyed intestate for ought can to this day appeare The said Jonathan and Love his sonnes when they returned from the buriall of their father to the house of Mr Willm Bradford of Plymouth in the prsence of mr Raph Partrich Pastor of Duxborrow mr John Reynor Teacher of the Church at Plymouth and mr Edward Buckley Pastor of the Church at Marshfeild and many others being exhorted to honor their Revrend father wth a peaceable pceeding about the division of his estate between them. The said Jonathan first answered for his part that although hee were the elder yet was willing to devide lands and goods equally betweene himself and brother. And if in case any differrence should arrise betweene them that it might be soone suppressed said he heere are four of my fathers deere and auncient frends vizt mr Willm Bradford then Govrnor of Plymouth mr Edward Winslow of Marshfeild mr Thomas Prence of Plymouth aforesaid and Captaine Miles Standish of Duxborrow. And if my brother please to accept my motion whereinsoevr we shall differ we will stand to their award wch shalbe as firme as if it had beene done by our father &c To all wch the said Love Brewster condiscended to the greate satisfaccon of the whole Assembly the said freinds of his father being there also prsent who willingly engaged themselves therein to the utmost of their power And whereas afterward differrence arose betweene the said brethren Jonathan and Love in divers prticulers about the late dwelling house of their said father at Duxborrow wherein the said Love dwelt and had donn from his marriage to that instant also about certaine accompt wherein Jonathan was made debtor to the estate in a large sume &c Hereupon according to prmise they referring themselves to the said speciall and most intimate frends of their said father the said Edward Winslow afterwards Govrnor of Plymouth mr Willm Bradford mr Thomas Prence and Captaine Miles Standish aforesaid haveing heard divers thinges alleadged on Loves behalf to prove that the said House and half the Lands of the said Willm belonging thereunto aswell as any other the lands of the said Willm devided or to be devided wth an entire half part of the estate of the said Willm was given to the said Love and Sarah his wyfe upon a Covenant of Contract of marryage to be due at the death of the said Willm Brewst er now deceased. All wch was offerred to be prooved legally if neede require by solemne prmise though not in writing The said Jonathan also offerring to take off upon oath the greatest prt of the said debts also &c The said Edward Winslow Willm Bradford Thomas Prence & Captaine Miles Standish being well acquainted wth their said case aswell by divers thinges heard from their revrend father in his life as by the evedence now offerred to be prduced on both sides determyned as followeth And first of all for the said debts wch were alleadged against the said Jonathan the elder brother by the said Love the yonger as aforesaid we conceive that if their father had not acquitted them before his death yet hee would nevr have charged his Eldest sonn wth them in regard of his greate charge of children and so beleeveing it was donn actually or intensively or both we discharged Jonathan of all the said debt his brother made him debtor to the estate aforesaid except foure pounds sterling wch wee award him to pay his brother Love in consideracon of the wintering of some cattell wch the said Jonathan had the sommering upon the division and for the dyett of Isaack Allerton a grandchild of the said Willm wch he had placed wth his sonn Love to table And because hee was the first borne of his father we gave him his fathers Armes and also a two yeare old heiffer over and above his part of the devideables of the said estate. And for the Dwelling house aforesaid of the said Willm wherein the said Love Brewster resided we were so well acquainted wth the purpose of the sd Willm now deceased and the evidence offerred for proofe seemed to us so strong as wee beleeveing the said Willm had actually or intentively or both given the said house to his sonn Love and Sarah his wyfe and their heires &c Wee the Edward William Thomas and Myles awarded the said dwelling house to the said Love and Sarah his wyfe and their heires &c together wth half the said Estate of Lands goods and cattells except befo re excepted and aswell such other lands as are not yet divided blonging to the said Willm as a Purchaser of the Patent & Plantacon of New Plymouth aforesaid as that at Duxborrow whereon hee lived And whereas some differrence might have arrisen about the division of the said Lands at Duxborrow mr Willm Vassell being requested to survey the said Lands he made a division of yt in two parts being an hundred & eleaven acrees of upland or there abouts vizt to Jonathan Brewster an sixtie eight acrees or there abouts wch lay entire together next a dwelling house wch the said Jonathan had built on the said land by the leave of his said father and all the meadow on that side a creeke (wch divided the greatest part of the said land) below a Bridg on the way betweene the houses of Jonathan and Love his brother And to Love Brewster fourty three acrees of upland or there abouts adjoyneing to his dwelling house whereof thirty acrees was cleered land and almost all in tillage the other thirteene being woodland as it was devided in the said Plott drawne by the said Surveighor and marked out and allowed by us except a prcell of land about three quarters of an acree prte in the garden of the said Jonathan and prt in a Swamp adjoyneing wherein onely the said Jonathan had Water to his house as it was marked and staked by us Also we gave unto Love Brewster all the meadow on that side the Creek adjoyneing to his land where he liveth and also that smale prcell wch lyeth above the Bridg betweene their two houses before expressed And the reason wherefore we gave Love the lesse quantitie was and is because the quallity of Loves land in goodnes is equall to the quantitie of Jonathans as we judg And that this is the full determinacon of us the said Edward Willm Thomas and Myles upon the referrence aforesaid of the said Jonathan and Love as wee are prswaded in our consciences to be equall and just haveing to our best abillities faythfully discharged our duties towards God their deceased father o ur former worthy frend and towards Jonathan and Love his onely children remayneing In witnes thereof we have put to our hands and ordered it to be put Upon the Records of the Gover meet. ffinished at Plymouth the xxth August 1645 William Bradford Edw: Winslow Tho: Prence Myles Standish Source: www.mayflowerfamilies.com

Less
Last Changed: March 9, 2022

B
BelMark
William Brewster was the Reverend Elder

William Brewster was the Reverend Elder of the Pilgrim's church at Plymouth, since their pastor John Robinson remained behind in Leyden, Holland with the majority of the congregation which planned to come to America at a later time. Brewster was a fugitive from the King of England, because he had published a number of religious pamphlets while in Leyden which were critical or opposed the tenets of the Church of England. He had been a member of the Separatist church movement from its very beginning, and was the oldest Mayflower passenger to have participated at the First Thanksgiving, in his early fifties. William Bradford wrote a lot about William Brewster in Of Plymouth Plantation, some of which follows: After he had attained some learning, viz. the knowledge of Latin tongue, and some insight in the Greek, and spent some small time at Cambridge, and then being first seasoned with the seeds of grace and virtue, he went to the court, and served that religious and godly gentleman, Mr. Davison, divers years, when he was Secretary of State; who found him so discreet and faithful as he trusted him above all other that were about him, and only employed him in all matters of greatest trust and secrecy . . . he attended his mr. when he was sent in ambassage by the Queen into the Low Countries . . . And, at his return, the States honored him with a gold chain, and his master committed it to him, and commanded him to wear it when they arrived in England, as they rid through the country, till they came to the court . . . Afterwards he went and lived in the country, in good esteem amongst his friends and the gentlemen of those parts, especially the Godly and religious. He did much good in the country where he lived, in promoting and furthering religion not only by his practise and example, and provocating and encouraging of others, but by procuring of good preachers to the places thereabouts, and drawing on of others to assist and help forward in such work; he himself most comm only deepest in the charge, and sometimes above his ability. . . . They ordinarily met at this house on the Lord's day, (which was a manor of the bishops) and with great love he entertained them when they came, making provision for them to his great charge. He was the chief of those that were taken at Boston, and suffered the greatest loss; and of the seven that were kept longest in prison, and after bound over . . . After he came into Holland he suffered much hardship, after he had spent the most of his means, having a great charge, and many children; and, in regard of his former breeding and course of life, not so fit for many employments as others were, especially as were toilsome and laborious. But yet he ever bore his condition with much cheerfulness and contention. Towards the later part of those 12 years spent in Holland, his outward condition was mended, and he lived well and plentifully; for he fell into a way to teach many students, who had a desire to learn the English tongue, to teach them English; . . . He also had means to set up printing, by the help of some friends . . . and by reason of many books which would not be allowed to be printed in England, they might have had more then they could do. . . . And besides that, he would labor with his hands in the fields as long as he was able; yet when the church had no other minister, he taught twice every Sabbath . . . For his personal abilities, he was qualified above many; he was wise and discreet and well spoken, having a grave and deliberate utterance, of a very cheerful spirit, very sociable and pleasant amongst his friends, of an humble and modest mind, of a peaceable disposition, undervaluing himself and his own abilities . . . inoffensive and innocent in his life and conversation . . . he was tender-hearted, and compassionate of such as were in misery, but especially of such as had been of good estate and rank, and were fallen into want and poverty, either for goodness and religions sake, or by the injury and oppression of others; . . . NOTE ON WILLIAM BREWSTER'S WIFE: The maiden name of William Brewster's wife has not been proven. The claim it was Mary Wentworth rests solely on the fact that Mary Wentworth happened to live somewhat close to William Brewster in Scrooby, Nottingham. That is very shaky evidence to say the least. Further, it has been proposed that William Brewster may have married Mary Wyrall, but the evidence is just as flimsy for that marriage. There are no fewer than seven marriages from 1590-1610 that have been located in parish registers showing a William Brewster marrying a Mary. All, however, have been satisfactorily eliminated as probable candidates for the William and Mary (Brewster) who came on the Mayflower. So at present, there is no evidence to document who William Brewster's wife Mary actually was.

Less
Last Changed: July 20, 2015

D
Doug Scofield
WILLIAM BREWSTER IN 17TH CENTURY RECORD

WILLIAM BREWSTER IN 17TH CENTURY RECORDS William Brewster : an English Separatist "... many became enlightened by the Word of God and had the ir ignorance and sins discovered unto them, and began by Hi s grace to reform their lives and make conscience of thei r ways ... "... they shook off this yoke of antichristian b ondage, and as the Lord's free people joined themselves (b y a covenant of the Lord) into a church estate, in the fell owship of the gospel, to walk in all His ways made known, o r to be made known unto them, according to their best endea vours, whatsoever it should cost them, the Lord assisting t hem. And that it cost them something this ensuing history w ill declare ... "... besides other worthy men, was Mr. Rich ard Clyfton, a grave and reverend preacher, who by his pain s and diligence had done much good, and under God had bee n a means of the conversion of many. And also that famous a nd worthy man Mr. John Robinson, who afterwards was their p astor for many years, till the Lord took him away by death . Also Mr. William Brewster a reverend man, who afterward s was chosen an elder of the church and lived with them til l old age." William Bradford, Of Plymouth Plantation 1620-1 647, ed. Samuel Eliot Morison (New York : Knopf, 1991), p . 8-10. William Brewster and the Separatists in Holland "... by a joint consent they resolved to go into the Low Co untries ... "Now when Mr. Robinson, Mr. Brewster and othe r principal members were come over (for they were of the la st and stayed to help the weakest over before them) such th ings were thought on as were necessary for their settling a nd best ordering of the church affairs... "Being thus settl ed [in Leyden] (after many difficulties) they continued man y years in a comfortable condition, enjoying much sweet an d delightful society and spiritual comfort together in th e ways of God, under the able ministry and prudent governme nt of Mr. John Robinson and Mr. William Brewster who was a n assistant unto him in the place of an Elder, unto which h e was now called and chosen by the Church." William Bradfor d, Of Plymouth Plantation 1620-1647, ed. Samuel Eliot Moris on (New York : Knopf, 1991), p. 10-17. William and Mary Brewster in the Records of Leiden, Holland "Besset, Willem of Sandwich in England, Hodman, widr. of Si sle Lecht (Cecily Light), acc. by Rogier Wilson and Wille m Bruystaert (William Brewster) his acq. betr. 19 March 161 1 to Maycken Botler (Mary Butler) of Norwich in England, ac c. by Anna Foller and Roos Leyl her acq. The bride died bef ore the publication of the third bann. ... "Boeckrum, Will em (William Buckram) of Ipswich in England, widr. of Judic k Boeckrums (Judith Buckram), Blockmaker acc. by Willem Bru yster (William Brewster) and Abraham Graey his acq. Betr. 3 0 Nov. 1611, mar. 17 Dec. 1611 to Lisbeth Neel of Scrooby i n England, acc. by Briggita Robbensz (Bridget Robinson ne e White) and Jannetgen Thickins her acq. ... "Pantes, Will em (William Pontus) of England, Fustian-worker, living in t he Marendorp near Douveren, acc. by Willem Bruyster (Willia m Brewster), Rogier Wilson and Eduaert Sutwaert (Edward Sou thworth) his acq. betr. 13 Nov. 1610, mar. 4 Dec. 1610 to W ybre Hanson of England, acc. by Jjanneken Wit, Anna Folle r and Mary Botlaer her acq. ... "Reynouts, Jan (John Reyno lds) of London in England, Printer, living in the house o f Willem Pauwelsz in the Pieterkerkkorssteech, acc. by Jona than Willems (Jonathan Brewster) his acq. betr. 28 July 161 7, mar. 17 Aug. 1617 to Prudens Grindon of London in Englan d, acc. by Marye Bruyster (Mary Brewster) and Marye Allerto n. ... "Thickins, Reynulph, (Randall or Ralph Thickins) o f London in England, acc. by Jan Robberts (John Robinson) , Minister of God's Word and Willem Bruyster (William Brews ter) his acq. betr. 1 April 1611, mar 20 Apr 1611 to Jane W hite of Bebel (Beauvale) in England, acc. by Britsit Robben s (Bridget Robinson) her sister and Rosaman Gipson her acq . " Johanna W. Tammel, comp. The Pilgrims and other peopl e from the British Isles in Leiden, 1576-1640 (Isle of Ma n : Mansk-Svenska Publishing Co., c1989), p. 44, 51, 203, 2 23, 258. William Brewster : Arranging for Emigration "Those that stayed [in Leyden], being the greater number, r equired the pastor [John Robinson] to stay with them; and i ndeed for other reasons he could not then well go, and so i t was the more easily yielded unto. The other [Pilgrims lea ving Leyden] then desired the elder, Mr. Brewster, to go w ith them, which was also condescended unto. It was also agr eed on by mutual consent and covenant that those that wen t should be an absolute church of themselves, as well as th ose that stayed, seeing in such a dangerous voyage, and a r emoval to such a distance, it might come to pass they shoul d (for the body of them) never meet again in this world." W illiam Bradford, Of Plymouth Plantation 1620-1647, ed. Samu el Eliot Morison (New York : Knopf, 1991), p. 36. William Brewster and the "Pilgrim Press" : The Brewsters – William, Mary, Love and Wrestling : Mayflow er Passengers "The names of those which came over first, in the year 1620 , and were by the blessing of God the first beginners and i n a sort the foundation of all the Plantations and Colonie s in New England; and their families... "Mr. William Brewst er, Mary, his wife, with two sons, whose names were Love an d Wrestling. And a boy was put to him called Richard More , and another of his brothers. The rest of his children wer e left behind and came over afterwards." William Bradford , Of Plymouth Plantation 1620-1647, ed. Samuel Eliot Moriso n (New York : Knopf, 1991), p. 441-443. William Brewster : Signer of the Mayflower Compact "I shall ... begin with a combination made by them before t hey came ashore ; being the first foundation of their gover nment in this place. Occasioned partly by the discontente d and mutinous speeches that some of the strangers amongt t hem had let fa ll from them in the ship: That when they cam e ashore they would use their own liberty, for none had pow er to command them, the patent they had being for Virgini a and not for New England... And partly that such an act b y them done, this their condition considered, might be as f irm as any patent, and in some respects more sure. "The for m was as followeth : IN THE NAME OF GOD,AMEN. We whose name s are underwritten, the loyal subjects of our dread Soverei gn Lord King James, by the Grace of God of Great Britain, F rance and Ireland King, Defender of the Faith, etc. Havin g undertaken, for the Glory of God and advancement of the C hristian Faith and Honour of our King and Country, a Voyag e to plant the First Colony in the Northern parts of Virgin ia, do by these presents solemnly and mutually in the prese nce of God and one of another, Covenant and Combine ourselv es together into a Civil Body Politic, for our better order ing and preservation and furtherance of the ends aforesaid ; and by virtue hereof to enact, constitute and frame suc h just and equal Laws, Ordinances, Acts, Constitutions an d Offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most mee t and convenient for the general good of the Colony, unto w hich we promise all due submission and obedience. In witnes s whereof we have hereunder subscribed our names at Cape Co d, the 11th of November, in the year of the reign of our So vereign Lord King James, of England, France and Ireland th e eighteenth, and of Scotland the fifty-fourth. Anno Domin i 1620." William Bradford, Of Plymouth Plantation 1620-1647 , ed. Samuel Eliot Morison (New York : Knopf, 1991), p. 75- 76. William Brewster : the First Year of Plymouth Colony "But that which was most sad and lamentable was, that in tw o or three months' time half of their company died, especia lly in January and February, being the depth of winter, an d wanting houses and other comforts; being infected with th e scurvy and other diseases which this long voyage and thei r inaccommodate condition had brought upon them. So as ther e died some times two or three of a day in the foresaid tim e, that of 100 and odd persons, scarce fifty remained. An d of these, in the time of most distress, there was but si x or seven sound persons who to their great commendation, b e it spoken, spared no pains night nor day, but with abunda nce of toil and hazard of their own health, fetched them wo od, made them fires, dressed them meat, made their beds, wa shed their loathsome clothes, clothed and unclothed them. I n a word, did all the homely and necessary offices for the m which dainty and queasy stomachs cannot endure to hear na med; and all this willingly and cheerfully, without any gru dging in the least, showing herein their true love unto the ir friends and brethren; a rare example and worthy to be re membered. Two of these seven were Mr. William Brewster, the ir reverend Elder, and Myles Standish, their Captain and mi litary commander, unto whom myself and many others were muc h beholden in our low and sick condition. And yet the Lor d so upheld these persons as in this general calamity the y were not at all infected either with sickness or lameness ." William Bradford, Of Plymouth Plantation 1620-1647, ed . Samuel Eliot Morison (New York : Knopf, 1991), p. 77. William Brewster and the 1623 Division of Land The 1623 Division of Land marked the end of the Pilgrims' e arliest system of land held in common by all. Governor Brad ford explains it in this way: "And so assigned to every fam ily a parcel of land, according to the proportion of thei r number, for that end, only for present use (but made no d ivision for inheritance) and ranged all boys and youth unde r some family. This had very good success, for it made al l hands very industrious, so as much more corn was plante d than otherwise would have been by any means the Governo r or any other could use, and saved him a great deal of tro uble, and gave far better content. The wom

Less
Last Changed: August 4, 2014

U
UnknownMMMC-X1VX

Discussions
Add Discussion
William Brewster date of birth.
May 21, 2013
It shows that he was born in 1600 in Essex, England. Both of his parent had passed away bt 1600.

C
Checketts Denece2

TEST MARKER

TNG ID: I110931

Webmaster Message

We make every effort to document our research. If you have something you would like to add, please contact us.

Brewster, William

Quick Links

Contact Us

Webmaster Message