Edward Tilley facts for kids
Edward Tilley was an English Separatist who sailed to America on the famous ship Mayflower in 1620. He was part of a group of people who wanted to practice their religion freely. Edward signed the important Mayflower Compact, a set of rules for the new colony. Sadly, he and his wife died during the first difficult winter in the New World.
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Early Life in England
Edward Tilley was born in a town called Henlow, England, around 1588. His parents were Robert and Elizabeth Tilley.
On June 20, 1614, Edward married Ann Cooper in Henlow. Ann was a few years older than him. Edward and Ann probably lived in Henlow for a few years after they got married.
Life in Holland
After their wedding, Edward and Ann moved to Leiden, Holland. Many other Separatists, who would also later sail on the Mayflower, lived there. In 1616, records show that Edward worked as a weaver.
In 1618, Edward Tilley took on Robert Hagges as an apprentice for five years. This means Robert would learn the weaving trade from Edward. Edward's brother, John Tilley, and a young relative named Henry Samson were also in Leiden.
Journey on the Mayflower
Edward and Ann Tilley traveled on the Mayflower without their own children. However, they brought two young relatives with them: Ann's 16-year-old nephew, Henry Samson, and her one-year-old niece, Humility Cooper. It's not fully clear why these children were with them.
William Bradford, who later became the governor of the colony, wrote about them: "Edward Tillie, and Ann, his wife; and 2 children that were their cousins, Henery Samson and Humility Coper."
The Mayflower left Plymouth, England, in September 1620. It was a small ship, about 100 feet long, carrying 102 passengers and a crew of 30 to 40 people. Conditions were very crowded. After about two months, the ship faced strong storms. The ship's wood creaked, and water leaked in, making passengers wet and sick. There wasn't enough food, and the ship was not very clean. These harsh conditions caused many people to get sick. Two people died on the way, but many more would die after they arrived.
In November 1620, after about three months at sea, they finally saw land. It was the tip of Cape Cod, which is now Provincetown Harbor. They tried to sail south to their planned destination in Colony of Virginia, but strong winter storms forced them to return to Cape Cod. They anchored there on November 11, 1620. On that same day, the Mayflower Compact was signed.
Arriving in the New World
When they arrived at Cape Cod, Edward Tilley was one of the men who signed the Mayflower Compact. His brother John also signed it.
In the first few weeks after landing, Edward Tilley was very active. He often joined exploring parties with his brother John. These groups searched for a good place to build their new settlement.
On November 11, 1620, the same day the Mayflower Compact was signed, about 15 or 16 men went ashore for a short exploration. Edward Tilley might have been part of this group.
A few days later, on November 15, 1620, 16 men went on a longer exploration of Cape Cod. Edward Tilley was part of this group. He was chosen along with William Bradford and Stephen Hopkins to give advice to the military leader, Myles Standish. They found some buried corn that belonged to the Native Americans. The Pilgrims decided to take the corn, promising to pay the owners back later. They named this place Corn Hill.
Later in November, another group of 34 men explored the area more. Edward Tilley and his brother John likely joined this trip as well.
A third exploration with 18 men started on December 6, 1620. By this time, many people were sick. Both Edward and John Tilley were named as members of this group. The Pilgrims were not ready for the cold New England winter. Edward Tilley became very sick during this trip. The group was also attacked by Nauset Indians, but they escaped unharmed. This event is known as the First Encounter. After a month of searching, the Pilgrims finally decided to build their settlement in what would become Plymouth.
Edward Tilley never recovered from the illness he caught during the third expedition. The exploring often involved walking through icy ocean water in freezing temperatures. Edward likely died in January 1621, probably from pneumonia. His wife Ann died sometime after him. However, their young relatives, Humility Cooper and Henry Samson, survived. Edward and Ann Tilley did not have any children of their own.
Relatives Traveling with the Tilleys
Edward and Ann Tilley had no known children. However, they cared for two children, Humility Cooper and Henry Samson, who were Ann's niece and nephew. These children had been given to the Tilleys in Leiden, Holland. After Edward and Ann died, other families cared for the children, and they survived.
- Humility Cooper was born around 1619 in Holland. She was the daughter of Ann Tilley's brother, Robert Cooper. It's not known why she was with the Tilleys. Perhaps her mother had died, and Ann, who had no children, took care of her. Humility Cooper was later sent back to England, where she died.
- Henry Samson was born in Henlow, England, in January 1604. He was the son of Ann Tilley's sister, Martha Cooper. It's not clear why Henry was with the Tilleys. He might have been learning a trade from his uncle Edward. Henry's parents and siblings stayed in England. After Edward and Ann Tilley died, it's not known who cared for Henry. He later became a freeman (a citizen with full rights) in Plymouth in 1635. He married Ann Plummer and they had nine children. Henry Samson died in 1685 at the age of 81. He and his wife were buried at Cole's Hill Burial Ground in Plymouth, Massachusetts.
Death and Burial
William Bradford wrote in 1651 that "Edward Tillie and his wife both died soon after their arrival." He also mentioned that Humility was sent back to England and died there, but Henry Samson was still alive, married, and had children.
Edward and Ann Tilley were likely buried in unmarked graves at Coles Hill Burial Ground in Plymouth, probably in January 1621. Many people died that winter, and there wasn't time or resources for proper burials. Today, they are remembered on the Pilgrim Memorial Tomb at Coles Hill, Plymouth.
Images for kids
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Mayflower in Plymouth Harbor by William Halsall (1882). This painting is in the Pilgrim Hall Museum, Plymouth, Massachusetts.
