John Maverick facts for kids

John Maverick (1578-1636) was an important religious leader in early colonial America. He was the very first minister of the First Parish Church of Dorchester in Dorchester, Massachusetts. He helped shape the new settlement of Dorchester.

John Maverick's Early Life and Education

John Maverick was born in 1578 in Devon, England. His father, Peter Maverick, was also a minister, called a vicar. A vicar is a type of priest in the Church of England.

In 1595, John Maverick started studying at the famous University of Oxford. This was a big step for his education. He earned his Master of Arts (MA) degree from Oxford in 1603.

Family Life in England

In 1600, John Maverick married Mary Gye. They had several children together. Two of their sons became well-known figures in early Massachusetts history:

• Samuel Maverick
• Moses Maverick

After finishing his studies, John Maverick worked as a curate for his uncle, Radford Maverick. A curate is a minister who helps a more experienced minister. He did this from 1606 to 1614. Later, he became a rector, which means he was the main minister of a church in Beaworthy, Devon. He served there until 1629.

Journey to the New World

John Maverick became a Puritan. Puritans were a group of people in England who wanted to make the Church of England simpler. Many Puritans faced difficulties in England because of their beliefs. They decided to move to the New World to find religious freedom.

In 1630, John Maverick and his family sailed across the Atlantic Ocean. They arrived in the Massachusetts Bay Colony on May 30, 1630. They settled in a place called Dorchester, which is now part of Boston, Massachusetts.

Building a New Community

In Dorchester, John Maverick became the first minister of the First Parish Church of Dorchester. He worked alongside another minister, Rev. John Warham. Together, they helped guide the new community.

In 1631, John Maverick became a "freeman." In the early colonies, a freeman was a male colonist who had certain rights. These rights included being able to vote and take part in the local government. As a freeman, John Maverick helped to set up the rules and government for the new settlement of Dorchester.

John Maverick passed away on February 3, 1636. Important leaders like John Cotton, who was another respected minister, and Governor John Winthrop, the leader of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, spoke at his memorial. They honored his contributions to the new colony.