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 That Rock, Plymouth Rock-- Part 1

From the "Mayflower: Birth of America."

The Pilgrims may or may not have stepped on this granite boulder when they came ashore at Plymouth, but the legend is far more important than the reality.

The Pilgrims most likely noticed this rock when they came ashore at Plymouth in 1620 because it was like no other rock anywhere around that site.  Geologists call it a glacial erratic -- a glacially deposited rock differing in size and type from rocks native to the region.

In other words, it was like the Pilgrims, from somewhere else.

There is, however, no mention of the stone in William Bradford's firsthand accounts of the colony's founding.  It wasn't until 1741 that the rock was identified as the spot where the Pilgrims first stepped ashore.   That is 121 years later.

And, that assertion was made by 94-year-old Thomas Faunce, who said he'd been told of the rock's significance by his father, a Plymouth Colony settler who had arrived in 1623 and by several of the original Mayflower passengers.

Whether he was being truthful, we can not know.

--Brock-Perry

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 4: A Veteran of the War Against Spain and the Spanish Armada

From Wikipedia.

The Speedwell was a 60 ton pinnace that was, along with the Mayflower, supposed to transport the Pilgrims to America.  A vessel of the same name and size had traveled to America 17 years before the Pilgrims as the flagship of the first expedition of Martin Pring.

It was built in 1577, under the name Swiftsure, as part of English preparations for war with Spain and participated in the fight against the Spanish Armada.  During the Earl of Essex's 1596 Azores expedition and served as the ship of his second in command, Sir Gelli Meyrick.  After the war with Spain ended, she was decommissioned in 1605, and renamed the Speedwell.

Captain Blossom, a Leiden, Netherlands Separatist, bought the Speedwell in July 1620.  They then sailed to Southampton under the command of a Captain Reynolds.  There, they met a second ship named the Mayflower,  which had been chartered by merchant investors (again, Captain Blossom).

The Speedwell was already leaking badly at this time.

The two ships lay at anchor in Southampton for almost two weeks while the Speedwell was being repaired.   The group had to sell some of their supplies and food to cover costs and port fees.

--Cooter

The Other Pilgrim Ship, the Speedwell-- Part 2: 'Leakie As a Sieve' and Likely to 'Sunke Right Downe"

The group from Leiden, Netherlands, the Pilgrims,  remained apart from the others, staying on the smaller of the two ships, the Speedwell.

Finally, on August 5, 1820, the two ships left Southampton to cross the Atlantic and find their colony.  The Speedwell followed in the Mayflower's wake.

It didn't take long for everyone to realize that the Speedwell was not up to the task before it.  The ship proved to be as "leakie as a sieve."  The captains of the two ships conferred and decided it best for the ships to set in for repairs at Dartmouth, England, just 75 miles from where they had started.

Robert Cushman, on board the Speedwell declared that if the ship had "stayed at sea but three or four hours more, she would have sunke right downe."

Work on the Speedwell began as the travelers fretted over the loss of time.  By August 17, the repairs were finished, but winds kept the two ships at Dartmouth.  There was fear that already too much of the food taken along to get them to their destination had already been eaten.

Finally, they were able to sail, but after just a short time, the Speedwell began leaking badly again.  The ships returned to Plymouth and it was decided to abandon the Speedwell.

Many of the Speedwell's colonists were put aboard the Mayflower, exasperating already crowded conditions.

So Much for the Speedwell.  --CootWell

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 6: Afterwards

1621 to 1692

NOVEMBER 1621

A second English ship sent to America by Plymouth Colony's investors arrives off Cape Cod.  Other ships carry new colonists follow over the next few years.

JUNE 1630

A flotillas of ships begins delivering more than 700 English Puritans to the new Massachusetts Bay Colony, in present-day Boston.

Over the next 10 years, this new colony will grow to be much larger and influential than Plymouth Colony.

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MAY 9, 1657

Plymouth Colony's longtime governor, William Bradford, dies.  He had spent 20 years writing a now-famous history of the Mayflower Pilgrims called "Of Plymouth Plantation."  There are those today who want this thrown out because of the word plantation which brings to mind slaves.

JUNE 20, 1675

King Phillip's War begins.  The conflict between Indians and English colonists across southern New England is devastating.  By the time it ends in 1678, the Indian population of the region is reduced by 40 to 80 percent.

JUNE 8, 1692

The final meeting of the Plymouth Colony legislature is held, as the colony is absorbed into the larger Massachusetts Bay Colony.

--CootPilgrim

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.  

Pilgrims Arrive 400 Years Ago-- Part 4: Looking for a Place to Live

DECEMBER 8, 1620

At dawn, the expedition looking for Thievish Harbor fought off an attack by Indians.   Later that day, they were hit by a gale with snow alternating with rain.  They spent the night on what became known as Clark's Island.  

DECEMBER 9

They spent the day exploring the island and rested the next day, the Sabbath.

DECEMBER 11

Explored the harbor behind the island and found it could accommodate a ship the size of the Mayflower.

DECEMBER 12

Back on the Mayflower.  Told the others they had found a site for the colony.

DECEMBER 16

The Mayflower entered Plymouth Harbor, but it wasn't until December 20, that they decided where to build their colony.

DECEMBER 21

Pilgrims land at the site that would become their colony.

So, I Guess December 21 Would Be The Real Date of the Pilgrims Arrival At Their Colony.  --Cooter

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

Five Things You May Not Know About the Pilgrims-- Part 1: Religion and the Wrong Place

From the History site by Beth Dunn.

1.  NOT ALL THE MAYFLOWER PASSENGERS WERE MOTIVATED BY RELIGION.

The ship actually carried three distinct groups.    About half were Separatists (Pilgrims)  Others were friendly to the Pilgrims, but not hard core members.  Still others were  laborers, soldiers,  and craftsmen of various skills needed for a new settlement.

2.  THE MAYFLOWER DIDN'T LAND IN PLYMOUTH FIRST.

They first landed on the tip of Cape Cod, in what is now known as Provincetown.  They were actually supposed to land at the mouth of the Hudson River, but had missed it.  Intention was to continue on to the Hudson, but winter changed their minds and they decided to settle at what became Plymouth.

--Cooter

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

400 Years Ago, This Mayflower Ship Arrived-- Part 1: Going to the New World

I saw one of those neat collector book/magazines in the local Jewel about the Mayflower and Pilgrims and then remembered those cancel culture folks want this gone because of what happened to the Indians afterwards.  I don't much like cancel culture folk anyway, so instead of burning it or protesting out in front of the store, I bought it.

I like these magazines and have been amassing a whole bunch of them.  They are generally just 100 pages long, with lots and lots of pictures, so it doesn't take too long to go through one.  These are the new coffee table books of this age I guess.

Sadly, the price of them keeps going up every year.  Now one will cost you between $13 and $15.

Anyway, since this year and month marks the 400th anniversary of the Pilgrim arrival in the New World, I will be writing segments of the "Mayflower: Birth of America" book/magazine for the rest of the month.

The book magazine started off with a Pilgrim Timeline.

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1620

SEPTEMBER 6--  The Mayflower departs from Southampton, England

NOVEMBER 9--  The Mayflower's passengers spot Cape Cod, considerably north of their intended Hudson River.

NOVEMBER 11--  The Mayflower rounds the tip of Cape Cod, drops anchor near present-day Provincetown, Massachusetts and the Mayflower Compact is signed.  The people spend the next few weeks exploring Cape Cod.

DECEMBER 16--  The Mayflower arrives at Plymouth Harbor

A Bit Late in the Year to Be Starting a Colony in My Books.  --CootPil