Memoir of William Bradford: A Life of Leadership, Faith, and Resilience
William Bradford was born on March 19, 1590, in the village of Austerfield, Yorkshire, England. He was the son of William Bradford and Alice Hanson and was baptized at St. Helena’s Church in Austerfield. Despite being born into a relatively wealthy family of yeoman farmers who owned their own land, Bradford endured a tough childhood.
Early Life and Involvement with the Separatists
Bradford’s father died when he was just a year old, and his mother passed away when he was seven, leaving him orphaned at a young age. He had two siblings, Margaret and Thomas, but they both died young, leaving William as the only surviving child. After the death of his parents, he was raised primarily by his uncles, Robert and Thomas Bradford. However, a long illness during his childhood left Bradford too ill or weak to work on the family farm. Instead, he concentrated on reading and studies, especially the Scriptures.
Around the age of 12, Bradford was drawn to the Separatist movement. He began attending services at All Saints’ Church in Babworth, Nottinghamshire, where Richard Clyfton, a prominent Separatist minister, preached. This church was a focal point for those who would later become the Pilgrims, including William Brewster and John Robinson. Inspired by the teachings and convictions of the Separatists, Bradford became deeply committed to their cause.
Attempt to Flee to Holland and Imprisonment
The Separatists faced persecution from the English authorities for their religious beliefs. They began meeting secretly at William Brewster’s house, Scrooby Manor, which became a central meeting place for the group. In 1607, at the age of 17, Bradford, along with other members of the Separatist congregation, attempted to flee to Holland to escape persecution. However, they were betrayed and arrested by English authorities. Bradford, along with others, was imprisoned briefly in the cells at the Boston Guildhall in Lincolnshire. After being detained, the group was eventually released.
Successful Escape to Holland and Life in Leiden
In 1608, after their initial failed attempt, the Separatists successfully fled to Holland, arriving in Amsterdam in August. They soon relocated to Leiden in 1609, where they found relative safety and the freedom to practice their religion. Leiden was a bustling industrial city, and Bradford, along with other members of the English Separatist community, found refuge there.
However, life in Leiden was challenging, especially for a young man like Bradford, who had to make a living on his own. He took up work as a fustian weaver, a trade involving the weaving of heavy cotton and linen fabric. The work was physically demanding and did not pay well. Bradford lived in cramped, modest accommodations and struggled to sustain himself on the meager income he earned.
During his time in Leiden, Bradford also learned to speak Dutch, which was necessary for daily interactions and business within the local community. In addition, he had a good command of Latin, which allowed him to engage with theological texts and scholarly works, further deepening his knowledge and intellectual capabilities.
Inheritance in 1611 and Its Impact
Conditions changed dramatically for Bradford when he turned 21 in 1611 and was able to claim his family inheritance. This inheritance included land in Austerfield, which provided him with financial independence and likely made life a bit easier, but he continued working as a weaver in Leiden. His inheritance allowed him to contribute more to the Separatist community, but it did not drastically change his occupation until he left for the New World.
Challenges in Leiden and the Decision to Leave
Although the Separatists had found religious freedom in Leiden, life there presented significant challenges. Many of the group, including Bradford, worked in low-paying, labor-intensive jobs that provided little economic stability. Additionally, there were concerns about the cultural influences on their children, who were growing up in a Dutch environment. The Separatists feared that their children were losing their English identity and were being influenced by the more liberal Dutch society. Furthermore, as they faced the prospect of aging in a foreign land without secure futures for their children, they sought a new place where they could preserve their community, maintain their English identity, and practice their faith freely.
These concerns, along with the hope of finding a place where they could establish a self-governing community based on their religious principles, led the Separatists to consider leaving Holland and seeking a new life in the New World.
Meeting Alice Carpenter in Leiden
It was in Leiden that William Bradford likely met Alice Carpenter. The Carpenter family, including Alice, had also moved to Leiden around the same time, seeking religious freedom. Given the small and close-knit nature of the Separatist community in Leiden, it is highly probable that Bradford and Alice interacted frequently and became well-acquainted during their time there.
There is some speculation that Bradford may have had an interest in marrying Alice Carpenter during their time in Leiden. However, Alice’s family, particularly her father, Alexander Carpenter, preferred Edward Southworth for her, possibly due to his higher social standing. In 1613, Alice married Edward Southworth, another member of the Separatist community, and later that same year, Bradford married Dorothy May. These marriages suggest that if there was any romantic interest between Bradford and Alice, it did not result in marriage at that time.
Marriage to Dorothy May
William Bradford married Dorothy May on November 9, 1613, in Leiden. Dorothy, who was born in England, was about 16 years old at the time of their marriage, while Bradford was 23. The couple lived in Leiden, where Bradford continued his work as a weaver. They had a son, John Bradford, born around 1617. When Bradford and Dorothy decided to join the Pilgrims on their voyage to the New World in 1620, they left their son, John, behind with family, recognizing the dangers and uncertainties of the journey. John was about three years old at the time.
The Journey to the New World and the Mayflower Compact
In July 1620, William Bradford and other members of the Leiden congregation set sail from the Netherlands on the Speedwell to join the Mayflower in Southampton, England. The Speedwell was intended to accompany the Mayflower across the Atlantic, but it soon proved to be unseaworthy, causing delays. After several attempts to repair theSpeedwell, it was abandoned, and its passengers were transferred to the Mayflower.
Bradford and the other Pilgrims finally set sail from Plymouth, England, on September 6, 1620, aboard the Mayflower. After a harrowing two-month voyage, the Mayflower anchored off the coast of what is now known as Provincetown Harbor on November 11, 1620.
That same day, Bradford was one of the 41 men who signed the Mayflower Compact, a pioneering document that established self-government for the Plymouth Colony. The Mayflower Compact was a crucial step toward the establishment of democratic governance in the New World, laying the groundwork for future democratic principles in America. It emphasized the importance of a government based on the consent of the governed, a revolutionary concept at the time.
The Tragic Loss of Dorothy
About a month after the signing of the Mayflower Compact, tragedy struck. Dorothy Bradford, then 23 years old, died in a tragic accident while the Mayflower was anchored in what is now known as Provincetown Harbor. On December 7, 1620, while the men were ashore exploring the area, Dorothy fell overboard and drowned in the cold waters of the harbor. This devastating loss deeply affected Bradford, who was now left to focus on leading the struggling colony, even as he grieved the death of his wife.
Becoming Governor
Less than six months after the Mayflower landed, the colony’s first governor, John Carver, collapsed and died. Bradford was chosen to lead the group and was elected as the new governor in April 1621. He would go on to serve as governor for about 30 years, guiding the Pilgrims through some of their most challenging and formative years. As governor, Bradford oversaw the courts, managed the colony’s finances, corresponded with investors and neighboring colonies, and formulated policies regarding relations with Native Americans and foreign powers. His leadership was instrumental in ensuring the survival and growth of Plymouth Colony.
The First Thanksgiving
Bradford played a significant role in gaining the trust of the Native Americans, which was crucial to the colony’s survival. His diplomacy and relationships with the Wampanoag tribe, especially Chief Massasoit, led to what became the first Thanksgiving in the autumn of 1621. After a successful harvest, Bradford and the Pilgrims, along with their Native American allies, held a three-day feast of thanksgiving, symbolizing the cooperation and mutual respect between the Pilgrims and the Native Americans. This event has since become a cornerstone of American culture and is celebrated annually as Thanksgiving.
Reconnecting with Alice (Carpenter) Southworth and Their Marriage
In 1623, two years after the death of his first wife, Bradford reconnected with Alice (Carpenter) Southworth, a woman he had known from their time in Leiden. Alice, also widowed after the death of her husband Edward Southworth in 1621, was living in England with her two sons, Constant and Thomas. Alice made the difficult decision to leave her sons in England, recognizing the dangers and uncertainties of the New World. Alice arrived in Plymouth aboard the ship Anne on July 10, 1623. Just over a month later, on August 14, 1623, William Bradford and Alice (Carpenter) Southworth were married. The ceremony itself was likely simple and modest, reflecting the Puritan values and the practical realities of life in the early colony. However, the event was significant for the Plymouth community, and a celebratory feast followed, which included both settlers and Native American allies. Captain Emmanuel Altham, an English visitor to Plymouth at the time, described the event in a letter, noting the presence of many Native American chiefs and their wives, as well as a variety of game, fish, and fowl served at the feast.
Family Life and Later Years
Bradford and Alice had three children together: William Bradford Jr., born in 1624; Mercy Bradford, born before 1627; and Joseph Bradford, born around 1630. William Jr. followed in his father’s footsteps and later served as governor of Plymouth Colony. Mercy married Benjamin Vermayes in 1648, and Joseph became a respected member of the colony, contributing to its governance and defense.
In 1627, Alice’s sons from her first marriage, Constant and Thomas Southworth, joined her in Plymouth Colony. Constant was about 14 years old, and Thomas was about 12 when they arrived on the ship Jacob. Both boys eventually became prominent figures in the colony, holding leadership positions and contributing to the colony’s success.
Around the same time, Bradford’s son John, from his first marriage to Dorothy May, joined the Bradford family in Plymouth after being left in the care of relatives in England. John arrived in Plymouth in 1627, reuniting with his father and becoming an integral part of the Bradford household.
Bradford’s Writings and Legacy
In 1630, Bradford began writing his famous history of Plymouth Colony, Of Plymouth Plantation, which he continued working on through 1651. This historical document is one of the most important sources for understanding the early years of the colony and the Pilgrims’ experiences. Bradford’s history is widely regarded as an essential text in American history, providing a detailed and personal account of the challenges, triumphs, and daily life in Plymouth Colony.
In addition to Of Plymouth Plantation, several of Bradford’s letters, poems, and other writings have survived, offering valuable insights into his thoughts and the life of the colony. His works are still studied and respected today, and Of Plymouth Plantation is often included in collegiate American history courses.
Bradford’s Influence on American Ideals
Bradford’s leadership and writings helped to shape the foundational ideals of American society. His emphasis on self-governance, religious freedom, and a strong work ethic were principles that resonated deeply with the values that would later define the United States. His legacy continues to be felt in the enduring importance of these ideals in American culture.
Bradford’s Later Years and Death
Bradford continued to serve as governor for many years, guiding the colony through its formative years and ensuring its survival. He remained a key figure in the governance of Plymouth, overseeing the courts, finances, and policies related to relations with Native Americans and other colonies.
In the winter of 1656-1657, Bradford became ill and was generally sick throughout the season. On May 8, 1657, Bradford reportedly predicted his own death to his friends and family, and he passed away the following day, May 9, 1657, at the age of 68. He was buried on Burial Hill in Plymouth, Massachusetts, where he was laid to rest among many of the early settlers he had led for so long. At the time of his burial, his second wife, Alice, was still alive. Thirteen years later, when she passed away in 1670, Alice was buried beside him, reuniting them in death.
His gravestone, along with Alice’s, stands as a testament to their enduring influence on the Plymouth Colony and its legacy in American history.
William Bradford’s gravestone has two parts: an inscription in Latin and a translation in English. Here’s what it says:
Latin Inscription: “Qua patres difficillime adepti sunt nolite turpiter relinquere.”
English Translation: “What our fathers with so much difficulty secured, do not basely relinquish.”
Additionally, there is an epitaph that summarizes his role and legacy:
“Here lies the honorable William Bradford, Governor of Plymouth Colony, who died May 9, 1657, in the 69th year of his age. He was a leader in the emigration to Plymouth Colony, and for over 30 years served as governor of the colony, guiding its course through times of peace and adversity alike.”
This gravestone honors Bradford’s leadership and urges future generations to protect and preserve the hard-earned legacy of the early settlers.
Final Reflections
William Bradford’s life was marked by deep faith, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to the community he helped build. From his early involvement with the Separatists to his leadership in the New World, Bradford’s legacy is one of endurance, perseverance, and dedication to the ideals that shaped the founding of Plymouth Colony. Through his writings and the generations of descendants who followed, Bradford’s impact continues to be felt in American history.