Christopher Jones (Mayflower captain) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Christopher Jones
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Mayflower in Plymouth Harbor by William Halsall (1882)
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Christopher Jones
c. 1570 |
| Died | March 5, 1622 (aged 51–52) |
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Master Christopher Jones Jr. (born around 1570 – died about March 5, 1622) was the brave captain of the famous ship Mayflower. In 1620, he sailed the Pilgrims across the Atlantic Ocean to start a new life in America. His journey was a very important part of early American history.
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Early Life in Harwich
Christopher Jones was likely born in Harwich, Essex, England, around 1570. His father, also named Christopher Jones, was a sailor and ship owner. When his father passed away in 1578, young Christopher inherited a share in a ship called the Marie Fortune.
Christopher grew up in Harwich, a busy port town. He learned to sail from his father and grandfather, who were both experienced captains. Harwich was known for trading English wool and for its skilled sailors. At 18, Christopher owned his first part of a ship.
Harwich was a town run by sailors and shipbuilders. They made the rules and collected taxes to manage the town. Christopher Jones became an important citizen in Harwich. He was even named a 'burgess' by King James I, which meant he had a role in local government. He also built his own ship, a large 240-ton vessel, and named it Josian after his second wife. He used this ship for trading trips, even sailing as far as France.
Family Life
Christopher Jones was married twice during his life.
His first wife was Sara Twitt. They married in Harwich on December 27, 1593, when Sara was 17. Her family also had strong connections to shipping, and her father left her money and a share in his ship, the Apollo. This helped combine the two families' shipping businesses. Christopher and Sara had a son named Thomas, but sadly, he died as a baby. Sara passed away in 1603 at the age of 27.
A few months after Sara's death, Christopher married his second wife, Josian Gray, in 1603. She was 19 and had seafaring relatives. Josian brought property and money from her previous marriage. Christopher even named one of his ships Josian in her honor.
Christopher and Josian had eight children together. Four of them were born in Harwich:
- Christopher Jones (born 1604)
- Thomas Jones (born 1607)
- Josian Jones (born 1609)
- John Jones (born 1621) – He was born in Harwich while his father was on the Mayflower voyage to America.
The family later moved to London in 1611, where their other children were born:
- Roger Jones (born 1611)
- Christopher Jones (born 1614)
- Joane Jones (born 1615)
- Grace Jones (born 1619)
Life in London
Around 1611, Christopher Jones moved his family to Rotherhithe, a part of London near the River Thames. This area was a hub for sailors and ship owners. By this time, Jones had traded his ship Josian for a share in the Mayflower.
The Mayflower was often in the Thames, carrying goods like wine from France, Spain, and Portugal. Wine was a very popular trade item in London, and it helped many sailors and merchants become wealthy. Christopher Jones often transported large amounts of wine.
Besides wine, the Mayflower also carried other goods like hats, wool, salt, and hops. Captain Jones had sailed to many different ports in Europe.
By 1620, trade was slowing down in Europe. So, when a group called the Merchant Adventurers offered to charter (rent) his ship for a voyage across the Atlantic, it was a good opportunity for Captain Jones. This voyage would become one of the most famous in history.
The Mayflower's Crew
The Mayflower usually had a crew of about 50 people. This included about 36 regular crew members and 14 officers, such as mates, quartermasters, a surgeon, and a cook.
Some important officers on the Mayflower included:
- John Clarke: An experienced sailor who had been to the New World before.
- Robert Coppin: Another skilled mate.
- John Alden: The ship's cooper, responsible for making and repairing wooden barrels. He was from Harwich, like Captain Jones. John Alden later stayed in America and married Priscilla Mullins.
- Giles Heale: The ship's surgeon, who cared for the sick.
Many of the crew stayed with the Mayflower during the harsh winter in America (1620-1621). Sadly, about half of them died from illness, just like many of the Pilgrims. The survivors returned to England with Captain Jones in April 1621.
The Historic Voyage
In July 1620, the Mayflower picked up about 65 passengers in London. It then sailed to Southampton to meet another ship, the Speedwell, which was bringing more Pilgrims from Holland. The two ships planned to sail to America together on August 5.
However, the Speedwell had many problems and kept leaking. After two false starts and repairs, some passengers decided not to continue. The remaining passengers, about 102 people, all boarded the Mayflower.
The Mayflower, with its 102 passengers and about 30-40 crew members, finally left Plymouth, England, on September 6, 1620. The journey was very difficult. They faced strong storms for 66 days, and the ship's timbers started to crack. Many people on board became very sick.
Finally, on November 11, the Mayflower arrived near Cape Cod Bay in what is now Massachusetts. Recent studies suggest the ship might have stopped briefly in Renews, Newfoundland, for fresh water and food before reaching Cape Cod. The Pilgrims eventually established their settlement at Plymouth, across the bay.
Captain Jones and his crew stayed in Plymouth through the winter of 1620-1621. He had planned to return to England sooner, but many of his crew members also fell ill. He waited until his men began to recover.
On April 5, 1621, with its hold filled with stones for balance, the Mayflower began its journey back to England. The return trip was much faster, taking less than half the time, thanks to strong westerly winds. The ship arrived back in Rotherhithe, London, on May 5, 1621.
Later Life and Legacy
After returning from America, Captain Jones continued his trading voyages to Europe. However, the difficult journey to the New World had taken a toll on his health, just as it had on many of the Mayflower passengers.
Christopher Jones passed away in early March 1622, at about 52 years old, shortly after a voyage to France. He was buried in the churchyard of St Mary The Virgin in Rotherhithe on March 5, 1622.
It is believed that Captain Jones may have been influenced by the Puritan beliefs of the church's rector, Thomas Gataker. This might have been why he agreed to take on the risky task of transporting the religious separatists (Pilgrims) to the New World.
What Happened to the Mayflower?
After Captain Christopher Jones died in 1622, the Mayflower was no longer used for voyages. In 1624, the remaining owners of the ship asked for it to be valued. The parts of the ship that could be sold were worth about 128 pounds.
Some people believe that the timbers (wooden parts) of the Mayflower were later used to build a barn in Jordans, Buckinghamshire, England, known as the Mayflower Barn. While the barn is certainly built from parts of a 17th-century ship, it has not been proven that it was definitely the Mayflower.
Remembering Christopher Jones
Although St Mary's Church in Rotherhithe was rebuilt in 1715, it still has memorials to many sailors. Captain Jones's exact burial spot was lost during the rebuilding.
However, there are two special memorials at St Mary's Church that honor Captain Jones and the Mayflower:
- In 1995, a tablet was placed inside the church. It says: "THE MAYFLOWER Christopher Jones, Master and part owner was buried in the churchyard, 5 March 1622."
- In 2004, a large blue plaque was placed on a wall outside the church tower. It marks the sailing of the Mayflower in 1620 and notes that its commander, Captain Christopher Jones, was from Rotherhithe.
400th Anniversary
The year 2020 marked 400 years since the Pilgrims' journey on the Mayflower. Many events were planned to celebrate this anniversary, but most had to be cancelled due to a worldwide pandemic.
However, you can still visit Christopher Jones's house at 21 King's Head Street in Harwich. It is now open to visitors during certain times of the year. There is also a special Mayflower Exhibition at the nearby Harwich Town Museum.
Images for kids
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St Mary the Virgin Church Rotherhithe
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Mayflower Barn, Jordans, Buckinghamshire
