U.S. Presidents Descended From Pilgrims

The General Society of Mayflower descendants, an association for people with proven Pilgrim descent, figures that some 10 million people in he United States and 35 million around the world can claim legitimate Pilgrim ancestry.

The Mayflower Society lists 51 Mayflower Pilgrims as possible ancestors.  If you can trace your lineage to any of them, you can become a card carrying member of them.

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PRESIDENTS

If you are a Mayflower descendant, you're among illustrious company.

According to the Mayflower Society, nine U.S. presidents are descended from Mayflower Pilgrims:

John Adams

John Quincy Adams (of course)

Zachary Taylor

Ulysses S. Grant

James A. Garfield

Calvin Coolidge

Franklin Delano Roosevelt (What, no Theodore Roosevelt?)

George H.W. Bush

George W. Bush (of course)

--CootPres

The Pilgrims 'Went Forth and Multiplied', They Really Did

Yesterday and in November, I wrote about some people who had Mayflower Pilgrim ancestors.  And, they are just a few of the most well-known people in U.S. history who are descendants.

Again, from the "Mayflower: Birth of America" booklet.

Only 51 of the 102 passengers on the Mayflower are known to have produced children.  But, to say that the old adage, "Go forth and multiply," applied to them would be an understatement.

It is estimated today that some ten million people in America can claim Pilgrim forebears.

And, it is getting easier to find out if you are one of them.

--CootNotOneOfThem, WellProbably Not

What Do They Have in Common?

What do Ulysses S. Grant, Marilyn Monroe, Amelia Earhart, Taylor Swift and Alec Baldwin have in common?

They're all Mayflower descendants, a group that isn't as elite as it used to be.

--DaMayCoot

The Truth About Plymouth Rock-- Part 2: Did They or Didn't They? Doesn't Matter

Soon, though, the rock began taking on symbolic meaning more compelling than any fact attached to it.  In 1774, with revolutionary fervor boiling in New England, some zealots in Plymouth decided to move the rock to a spot in town, where they hoped, it would stir up patriotic passions.

They accidentally cracked the rock in two, and while the lower half remained at the beach, the upper half found its way to a number of sites in Plymouth over the years.

The two halves were later mended and enshrined under a beachside temple, though the rock was trimmed to fit.  Over the years it has been carved up so often that it is estimated to be only a third of its original size.

But it remains an outsize American icon -- important not for who did or didn't step on it, but, as National Museum of American History curator Larry Bird has noted, "because of what people have turned it into."

--Cooter

The Speedwell-- Part 5: Leaks Are Upon Us

The Mayflower and Speedwell began their voyage to the New World from Southampton on 5 August 1620, but the Speedwell again began taking on water, and again the two ships had to put into harbor for Speedwell repairs.  This time at Dartmouth.

By now, it was getting very late to attempt am Atlantic crossing as winter was fast approaching.  Much better to start a new colony in the spring or summer to give the colonist a chance to prepare for winter.  The Speedwell's leaking problem was putting the whole expedition into jeopardy.

Repairs were made and a third attempt by the two ships was made.  The Speedwell did its usual leaking and a return to Dartmouth.  This time the decision was made to get rid of the Speedwell.  Some of its passengers transferred to the Mayflowers and the rest stayed in England.

Now, the severely overcrowded Mayflower was to set off again on September 6, 1620.

Winter's A'Coming.  --Cooter

The Speedwell-- Part 3: Was the Speedwell's Leaks By Accident or On Purpose?

It later came to light that the Speedwell had been fitted with new and larger masts back in Holland.  Such masts, crowded with sail, would have put stress on the ship and opened leaks.

It is possible that the ship's master did this intentionally.

After being left behind in Plymouth, the Speedwell was sold and refitted.

William Bradford later remarked on Mr. Reynolds' (the ship's master) "cunning and deceit" and noted that the Speedwell went on to make many voyages "to great profit of her owners."

Nice Guy, That Mr. Reynolds.  --Cooter

What Was the Speedwell?-- Part 1

From "Mayflower: Birth of America."

The Separatists (Pilgrims) were actually supposed to journey to America in two ships, the Mayflower and the Speedwell.  So, what happened to the Speedwell. Why is it not well-known, like the Mayflower?

The Pilgrims in Leiden, Netherlands had purchased their own ship to make the voyage.  It was named the Speedwell.  Just 50-feet long, it was considered safe enough  to make the dangerous voyage across the Atlantic.

They also hired a captain for it.  Sadly, both the ship and captain proved untrustworthy.

The Pilgrims left the Netherlands and sailed to the English port of Southampton tom meet up with another ship that was hired by the London investors in the proposed colony.  From there, they were to sail across the Atlantic.

That other ship was the Mayflower, under the command of Christopher Jones.

So, What Happened to the Speedwell?  Why Has It been Overlooked in History?  --CootAtist

Pilgrims Arrive 400 Years Ago-- Part 5: Hard Times, Then a Feast

1621

Well, 399 years ago.

JANUARY-FEBRUARY

Struggling to build their settlement, the Pilgrims are ravaged by disease and want of food.

By spring, nearly half of them are dead.

MARCH 16

A Native-American man named Samoset enters the Plymouth colony and introduces himself to the Pilgrims.  Soon afterwards, Massasoit, leader of the Indians in the region, visits the settlement.

A peace treaty between his people, the Wampanoags, and the Pilgrims is adopted.

APRIL 5

The Mayflower departs Plymouth and returns to England. 

I imagine there were more than a few Pilgrims wondering if they should have been on it.

SEPTEMBER-NOVEMBER

Sometime during this period, the Pilgrims and some 90 Indians join for a harvest festival that has come to be called the First Thanksgiving.

This feast takes place over several days, not just one day.

--Thanks and Thanks.  

Pilgrim Did You Know: Famous Folks Tracing Ancestry to Them: U.S. Presidents and Others

From the History Site.

Did you know that these famous people can trace their ancestry to the Pilgrims:

Humphrey Bogart

Julia Child

and, Presidents:

James Garfield

John Adams

--Cootgrim

Pilgrims Arrive 400 Years Ago-- Part 3: A Birth, Not Nice Exploring and 'Thievish Harbor'

1620

NOVEMBER 20

Birth of Peregrine White born to Susanna and William White.

NOVEMBER 27

Another expedition from the Mayflower, this time led by the ship's master, Christopher Jones.  Jones soon returned to the ship because of harshness of New England winter setting in.  The rest of exploring done under leadership of Myles Standish.

Essentially, this exploring led to grave looting, stole corn and raided homes.

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By now, it was becoming critical to find a place to settle.  Many wanted to settle where they were, but the Mayflower pilot, Robert Coppin, had been in the area before and said he kind of remembered a good harbor across Cape Cod Bay.

He called the place "Thievish Harbor" because it was where a Native had stolen one of his company's harpoons.

DECEMBER 6

A group set off from the Mayflower to explore and look for Thievish Harbor.

--Cooter

400 Years Ago, the Mayflower Arrives-- Part 2: Around Cape Cod, a Near Mutiny, the Compact and a Landing

All events in the year 1620.

NOVEMBER 11

The Mayflower sailed around the northern tip of Cape Cod into what is today's Provincetown  Harbor and dropped anchor.

The Pilgrims were no doubt anxious to get off the ship, but a problem arose with the Strangers (the non-Pilgrim members of the ship) who became somewhat mutinous.  But, the signing of the Mayflower Compact solved the problem.

NOVEMBER 12

The Pilgrims spent the day worshipping since it was the Sabbath and they believed the whole day should be dedicated to worship.

NOVEMBER 13

The Pilgrims went ashore

NOVEMBER  15

Myles Standish led 16 men on an overland expedition to explore and find a source of fresh water.  During this time, they observed a small party of Natives, but they soon ran away.

--Cooter