Memoir of Alice Carpenter Bradford: A Life of Faith, Resilience, and Legacy

Alice Carpenter Bradford was born on August 3, 1595, in Wrington, Somerset, England, according to the Mayflower Society. She was the daughter of Alexander Carpenter and Priscilla Dillen. The Carpenters were part of the Separatist movement, seeking religious freedom from the Church of England. In 1609, the family moved to Leiden, in the Netherlands, where they joined a large community of English Separatists led by Pastor John Robinson.

Alice had several siblings, including Juliana Carpenter, born in 1584, Agnes Carpenter, born in 1585, and Priscilla Carpenter, born around 1598.

Life in Leiden and Marriage to Edward Southworth

In Leiden, Alice likely met both Edward Southworth and William Bradford within the close-knit English Separatist community. Before marrying Edward Southworth, Alice may have developed a romantic interest in William Bradford. However, her father, Alexander Carpenter, is thought to have objected to the match, possibly due to concerns about William’s social standing or other familial expectations. As a result, Alice married Edward Southworth on May 28, 1613, when they were both 18 years old. Edward was seen as a more suitable match by her family, given his higher social standing and stable prospects.

Alice and Edward Southworth settled in Leiden, where Edward worked in the textile industry like many other English Separatists. Together, Alice and Edward had two sons: Constant Southworth, born around 1615, and Thomas Southworth, born around 1617. Though Leiden provided religious freedom, economic conditions were difficult. The Southworth family, like many others in the community, struggled to make a living.

In 1621, Edward Southworth passed away, leaving Alice a widow with two young sons. Constant was about 6 years old, and Thomas was about 4. After her husband’s death, Alice returned to England with her sons, seeking the support of her family.

William Bradford’s First Marriage and Loss

Meanwhile, William Bradford had married Dorothy May in Leiden in 1613, the same year Alice married Edward. Dorothy traveled with William to the New World aboard the Mayflower in 1620. Tragically, Dorothy died in December 1620, shortly after their arrival, when she fell overboard and drowned in what would later be known as Provincetown Harbor.

Speculative Communication and Reconnection with William Bradford

Given the limited means of communication between the New World and England at the time, it is speculative but possible that William Bradford could have sent a letter back to England on the Mayflower when it returned in April 1621. If so, Alice might have received this letter and could have sent a reply on the Fortune, the second ship to arrive in Plymouth, in November 1621. However, there is no direct evidence of such correspondence between them.

It is known that letters were sent on the Fortune, including a letter from Edward Winslow describing the first Thanksgiving. This shows that communication between the New World and England was possible, though slow and uncertain.

In 1623, Alice Carpenter embarked on her journey to Plymouth Colony aboard the ship Anne, accompanied by her sister Juliana Carpenter Morton, Juliana’s husband George Morton, and their five children: Nathaniel Morton (about 10 years old), Patience Morton (about 8 years old), John Morton (about 6 years old), Sarah Morton (about 5 years old), Ephraim Morton (an infant).

Upon reuniting in Plymouth, Alice and William quickly rekindled their relationship. Their prior acquaintance in Leiden may have facilitated this swift decision to marry, but the relationship likely developed more fully after they were reunited in the New World.

Marriage to William Bradford and Wedding Celebration

On August 14, 1623, just over a month after her arrival in Plymouth, Alice Carpenter Southworth married Governor William Bradford. At the time of their marriage, William was 33 years old, and Alice was 28 years old. The ceremony was officiated by Isaac Allerton, the Assistant Governor. Though simple, the marriage was a joyous occasion for the entire colony. The Pilgrims saw the union as a symbol of hope and perseverance after the hardships they had endured in their early years.

A grand wedding feast followed, attended by both English settlers and Native American allies. Captain Emmanuel Altham, an English visitor, described the event in a letter:

“Upon the occasion of the marriage of Governor Bradford, the colonists treated us with the best cheer they could make. Amongst other things, it pleased the governor to invite many of the Indian chiefs who came with their wives. There was much feasting and joy, and amongst other refreshments, we had about twelve venison pasties, large and well-seasoned, besides others, some seventy wild turkeys and various meats such as mallard, plover, partridge, and other fowl, with oysters and fish which they had caught.”

Life Together and Their Children

Alice and William Bradford had three children together:

William Bradford Jr. – Born on June 17, 1624, in Plymouth Colony. William Jr. later became a major and eventually served as governor of Plymouth Colony. He married Mary (Atwood) Holmes in 1677 and passed away on February 20, 1704. He is buried in Burial Hill Cemetery in Plymouth, Massachusetts.
Mercy Bradford – Born before 1627, she married Benjamin Vermayes on December 21, 1648, in Plymouth Colony.
Joseph Bradford – Born in 1630 in Plymouth Colony. He married Jael Hobart on May 25, 1664, in Hingham, Massachusetts. He passed away on July 10, 1715, and is buried in Burial Hill Cemetery.

In 1627, Alice’s sons from her first marriage, Constant and Thomas Southworth, joined her in Plymouth. Constant was about 12, and Thomas was about 10 when they arrived aboard the ship Jacob. Both sons became prominent figures in the colony, holding leadership positions and contributing to the defense and governance of Plymouth Colony.

Around the same time, John Bradford, William’s son from his first marriage to Dorothy May, joined the family in Plymouth. John had been left in England when his parents sailed on the Mayflower, and he was about 10 years old when he reunited with his father in 1627.

Alice’s Role in the Community

Alice Carpenter Bradford was highly regarded in Plymouth Colony for her kindness, generosity, and strength. She played a vital role in supporting her husband’s leadership and fostering a sense of stability within the community. Alice’s warm and compassionate nature extended beyond her household, as she helped to cultivate the spirit of cooperation that was essential to the colony’s survival. She was well-respected by both the English settlers and the Native American tribes with whom the Pilgrims had established relationships.

Her Death and Legacy

Alice Bradford passed away on March 26, 1670, in Plymouth Colony at the age of 74. Her death marked the passing of one of the colony’s original settlers. She was buried beside her husband, William Bradford, who had passed away in 1657, on Burial Hill in Plymouth, Massachusetts.

Her gravestone, located in Burial Hill Cemetery, bears a simple but poignant inscription:

“Here Lyes ye Body of MRS. ALICE BRADFORD

the wife of GOVR. WILLIAM BRADFORD

who died April ye 26th 1670 and

in ye 79th year of her age.”

Conclusion

Alice Carpenter Bradford’s life was one of faith, resilience, and enduring legacy. Her journey from England to the New World, her role as a wife and mother, and her contributions to Plymouth Colony are remembered as an integral part of early American history. Through her children and descendants, Alice’s legacy lived on, helping to shape the future of the United States for generations to come.