Christopher Martin facts for kids
Christopher Martin (1582–1621) and his family sailed on the famous ship Mayflower in 1620. They were part of a group seeking a new life in America.
Christopher Martin, his wife Mary, and his stepsons Nathaniel and Solomon came from Billericay in Essex, England. Christopher Martin worked as a merchant, which means he bought and sold goods.
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Why They Left England
The Martin family did not agree with the Church of England. In 1612, Christopher and Mary refused to take Holy Communion. Another time, Nathaniel and Solomon upset the church's Vicar during a service. Christopher Martin also got into trouble for not sharing his financial records with church officials.
Because of these disagreements, the Martin family joined a Separatist church. Separatists wanted to separate from the Church of England and practice their own religion freely. They decided to move to the New World (America) to find this freedom. Christopher Martin sold his property to buy tickets for the ship.
Preparing for the Journey
The people planning the trip asked Christopher Martin to help buy supplies. He bought many things for the journey and for setting up a new colony. These included beer, wine, salted beef and pork, dried peas, fishing supplies, muskets, armor, clothing, and tools. He also bought items to trade with the Native Americans. One very important item he bought was a screw-jack, which later helped repair the Mayflower at sea.
The Voyage to America
Two ships were supposed to sail to Virginia Colony: the Speedwell and the Mayflower. Christopher Martin was chosen to be a leader for the passengers on the Speedwell. However, the Speedwell needed many repairs and could not make the trip.
Some passengers decided to return to London and lost their money. Others moved to the Mayflower, which became very crowded. Christopher Martin, his wife Mary, his stepson Solomon Prower, and his servant John Langmore boarded the Mayflower. Nathaniel Martin stayed behind in England.
The Mayflower left Plymouth, England, on September 16, 1620. There were 102 passengers and about 30–40 crew members. On November 19, 1620, the Mayflower finally saw land. The ship was meant to land in Virginia Colony. But because of damage and strong winds, they were forced to land at Cape Cod. This area is now called Provincetown Harbor. They landed on November 21.
Before leaving the ship, the passengers wrote the Mayflower Compact. This was an agreement that set rules for how they would live and treat each other in their new colony. Christopher Martin signed the Mayflower Compact. His stepson and servant were too young to sign it.
Life in Plymouth Colony
After the Mayflower docked in the Harbor, Christopher Martin and other men went ashore. They explored the land to find a good place for everyone to live and build their new settlement.
Sadly, during the cold winter of 1621, Christopher Martin, his wife Mary, his son, and his servant all became ill and passed away.
Christopher Martin and his wife Mary were buried in the Cole's Hill Burial Ground in Plymouth.
Today, there is a plaque in the United Reform Church in England. It honors the Mayflower passengers, including Christopher Martin, Marie (Mary) Martin, Solomon Prower, and John Langerman.
