John Carver (Plymouth Colony governor) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Carver
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| 1st Governor of Plymouth Colony | |
| In office November 1620 – April 1621 |
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| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | William Bradford |
| Personal details | |
| Born | before 1584 England |
| Died | April 1621 Plymouth Colony |
| Resting place | Cole's Hill Burial Ground |
| Spouse |
Mary de Lannoy
(m. 1609; death 1609)Katherine White
(m. 1615–1621) |
| Children | 2 (predeceased both parents) |
| Occupation | Deacon |
| Profession | Governor |
John Carver was an important leader among the Pilgrims. He sailed on the famous Mayflower ship in 1620. This journey led to the start of Plymouth Colony in America. John Carver helped write the Mayflower Compact, which was an important agreement for the new colony. He was also the very first governor of Plymouth Colony.
Contents
Life Before the Journey
John Carver was born in England sometime before 1584. Not much is known about his early life. He and his first wife, Mary, lived in Leiden, Holland. They were part of a church community there. Many people, including the Pilgrims, moved to Holland to escape religious problems in their home countries.
In Leiden, John Carver became a deacon in his church. This meant he was a trusted leader. Sadly, he and Mary lost a child in 1609. Mary also passed away shortly after. Later, John married Katherine White. She was also an important member of the English church in Leiden. Katherine's sister was married to John Robinson, a main pastor for the Pilgrims.
Getting Ready for a New World
John Carver played a big part in planning the trip to America. He and another Pilgrim, Robert Cushman, talked with officials in London. They wanted to find land in America where they could live freely. They also needed to get permission from the king of England.
To pay for the Mayflower voyage, the Pilgrims needed money. They worked with London businessmen called the Merchant Adventurers. These businessmen hoped to make a profit from the new colony. John Carver was in charge of organizing the trip and getting the money. He worked with Thomas Weston, one of the Merchant Adventurers.
In 1620, Weston hired the Mayflower. The ship sailed from London to Southampton, England. There, it met another ship called the Speedwell. The Speedwell was carrying the Pilgrims who had come from Holland. John Carver helped buy supplies for the journey. He was a wealthy man and used much of his own money to help fund the trip.
The Mayflower Voyage
John Carver and his wife Katherine boarded the Mayflower. They also had five servants with them. A young boy named Jasper More, who was seven years old, also traveled with them. He was one of four children sent with the Pilgrims for care. It seems John Carver was chosen as the leader, or governor, of the Mayflower during the long trip across the Atlantic Ocean.
The Mayflower reached America in November 1620. It anchored off Cape Cod. Before they even stepped ashore, the Pilgrims signed the Mayflower Compact. This was an agreement that set up rules for their new colony. It was signed on November 11, 1620. John Carver may have written this important document, and he was definitely the first person to sign it. After signing, he was chosen to be the first governor of Plymouth Colony.
Life in Plymouth Colony
The first winter in Plymouth Colony was very hard. Many colonists got sick because they didn't have good shelter. Diseases like scurvy spread quickly. Almost half of the Mayflower passengers died in just a few months.
John Carver helped the colonists during this difficult time. He wrote the first will (a legal document about someone's wishes after they die) in New England for a man named William Mullins, who was very ill. This document shows John Carver's signature, which is the only one we know of.
In March 1621, Governor Carver made an important agreement. He met with Massasoit, a leader of the Wampanoag people. They agreed to a treaty of peace and protection. This treaty was very important and lasted for more than 50 years.
John Carver passed away in April or May 1621. He was about 56 years old. His wife, Katherine, died just a few weeks later.
Family Life
John Carver married Mary de Lannoy before 1609. She was from France. They had a child who died in Leiden in 1609. Mary also passed away soon after.
He then married Katherine White. She was the widow of George Leggatt. John and Katherine also had a child who died in Leiden in 1617. John Carver did not have any children who lived to adulthood.
His Passing
In April 1621, John Carver was working in his field on a hot day. He felt a pain in his head. He went back to his house to rest and soon fell into a deep sleep. He passed away within a few days.
After his death, William Bradford was chosen to be the new governor. The settlers wanted to honor Governor Carver. They buried him with a special ceremony. William Bradford wrote that Carver was buried "in the best manner they could." Soldiers fired their guns in a salute. His wife, Katherine, who was not strong, died about five or six weeks after him.
