Mary Brewster facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mary Brewster
|
|
|---|---|
| Born | ca. 1569 England (Lincolnshire or Nottinghamshire)?
|
| Died | 17 April 1627 |
| Nationality | British (Subject of King James I of England) |
| Known for | Mayflower passenger (1620) |
| Spouse(s) | William Brewster |
| Children | Jonathan, Patience, Fear, (unnamed child who died young), Love, Wrestling |
Mary Brewster (born around 1569 – died April 17, 1627) was an important passenger on the famous ship Mayflower in 1620. She sailed from England to the New World with her family.
Mary was likely born in England, but we don't know her exact birth date, place, or her family name for sure. She married William Brewster around 1592 and they had six children together.
Before coming to North America, Mary and her family lived in The Netherlands for several years. She bravely survived the very tough first winter of 1620 in the New World. Mary was one of only four women still alive in 1621 to celebrate the first Thanksgiving. She passed away in Plymouth Colony in 1627.
Contents
Mary Brewster's Early Life
Mary was born in England around 1569. She might have been born in Doncaster, Yorkshire, or Scrooby, Nottinghamshire. We don't know her maiden name for sure. Many names have been suggested, but none have been proven.
She married William Brewster about 1592. It's not known if she was his first or second wife. Together, they had six children: Jonathan, Patience, Fear, an unnamed child who died young, Love, and Wrestling.
Moving to the Netherlands
Mary's husband, William, was a leader of a group called Separatists. These were people who wanted to worship God in their own way, separate from the official Church of England. English law at the time required everyone to attend the Church of England.
Because of this, the Separatists secretly met in the Brewster home. The authorities treated them badly for their beliefs and for not following the law. This unfair treatment is called persecution. In 1608, Mary Brewster and her family moved to Leiden, The Netherlands. They went there to escape this persecution and to practice their religion freely.
The Mayflower Journey
Life in Leiden was not easy, so the Brewster family decided to emigrate to North America. Mary sailed on the Mayflower in 1620. She traveled with her husband, William, and their two youngest children, Love and Wrestling.
Their son Jonathan arrived in Plymouth in November 1621. Their daughters, Patience and Fear, joined them in 1623.
Surviving in the New World
The first winter in the New World was extremely difficult. Many people got sick and died. Mary Brewster was one of only five women who survived that harsh winter. She was also one of just four women who were still alive to celebrate the first Thanksgiving in 1621.
Mary died on April 17, 1627, in Plymouth. Her final resting place has not been found.
