Mayflower Compact signatories facts for kids

Signing the Mayflower Compact 1620, a painting by Jean Leon Gerome Ferris 1899

The Mayflower Compact was a very important paper in American history. It was written and signed on the ship Mayflower on November 11, 1620. This happened while the ship was anchored in Provincetown Harbor in Massachusetts. The Compact was created to help keep peace and order among the passengers. They were about to start a new life in Plymouth Colony. Over time, it became one of the most famous documents in American history.

The Compact was first printed in London in a book called Mourt's Relation in 1622. A special introduction was added to explain its purpose. It said that everyone should "combine together in one body" and agree to follow the rules and leaders they chose together.

Forty-one men signed the Mayflower Compact. The first signer was Governor John Carver. The last was Edward Lester. Nine adult men on board did not sign. Some were hired sailors who would only stay for a year. Others might have been too sick to write their names. No women signed the document. This was normal for the customs and laws of that time.

What the Mayflower Compact Said

What we know today about the Mayflower Compact comes from William Bradford's writings. He was a governor of Plymouth Colony. It seems he copied the words from the original paper. The original Mayflower Compact has been lost for a long time. It might have been taken during the American Revolutionary War (1775-1783).

The words were first published in 1622. Then, they appeared in Bradford's own journal around 1630. Later, in 1669, Nathaniel Morton, who was the secretary of Plymouth Colony, also wrote down the Compact's words. He also included a list of the signers in his book New Englands Memoriall. This list might show the order in which they signed.

Who Signed the Mayflower Compact?

The list of signers was printed a few times in the 1700s. But each time, it seemed to be based on Morton's list from 1669. Because of this, there has been some confusion over the years about the exact list of signers. Some people think there might have been other names if all adult men had signed. But Morton likely copied from Bradford, not the original paper.

Most experts who study the Mayflower use Morton's list from 1669. This list is also used in a book by Stratton. There are small differences in how some names are spelled between Stratton's list and Morton's list. These differences are noted by historians.

Key Signers and Their Stories

Here are some of the important people who signed the Mayflower Compact:

John Carver: First Governor

John Carver was a close friend of Bradford and Brewster. He was an important member of the Separatist church in Leiden, Holland. He helped organize the Mayflower trip. He was a wealthy man and used a lot of his own money for the journey. He came with his wife and five servants. One servant, Roger Wilder, died early. A 7-year-old boy named Jasper More was also in his care. Jasper was one of four More children on the ship and died early. Carver became the first governor of Plymouth Colony. He died suddenly at age 56 in 1621. His wife died soon after.

William Bradford: Colony Leader

William Bradford joined the Separatist Church in England. He moved to Leiden, Holland, around 1608. He became a key person in the church there. He came on the Mayflower with his wife Dorothy. They left their young son in Leiden. Sadly, Dorothy drowned while the ship was anchored in Cape Cod Harbor. After John Carver died, Bradford became the colony's Governor. He was very important in the Plymouth Church. His writings about early Plymouth Colony are very valuable historical records.

Edward Winslow: Diplomat and Printer

Edward Winslow came from a well-off family. He was important in the Separatist church in Leiden. He worked with Brewster to print religious papers against the Anglican church. He boarded the Mayflower with his wife and two servants. One servant, Elias Story, died early. An 8-year-old girl named Ellen More was also in his care and died early. His wife died in March 1621. In May 1621, he married William White's widow. This was the first wedding in Plymouth Colony. He was very active in the colony's government, church, and dealings with Native Americans. In 1646, he went back to England. He joined the government of Oliver Cromwell. He died in 1654 while on a military trip in the Caribbean Sea.

William Brewster: Church Elder

William Brewster worked for Queen Elizabeth I in the 1580s. About 20 years later, Brewster became a leader in the early English Separatist church. He moved to Holland in 1608. There, he became the Ruling Elder of the Leiden church. English authorities looked for him because he printed papers against the Anglican church (Church of England). He had to hide until the Mayflower left. He came on the Mayflower with his wife, two sons, and two of the four More children: Mary, age 4, who died early, and Richard, age 6, who survived. In Plymouth Colony, Brewster was the Ruling Elder of the Plymouth Church until he died in 1644 at age 80.

Isaac Allerton: Merchant and Trader

Isaac Allerton was a Separatist from Leiden and a merchant. He came from London. He boarded the Mayflower with his wife and three children. He owned ships and was involved in trading between New England and Europe. In Plymouth Colony, he was second in command to Governor Bradford in the early years. Later, Bradford felt Allerton had not been honest with the colonists. Allerton was forced to leave the colony in the 1630s.

Myles Standish: Military Leader

Myles Standish was a soldier. He might have been from London and served in Europe before joining the Leiden group. He may not have been a member of the Leiden church but was connected to it. He came on the Mayflower with his wife Rose, who died early. He became the colony's main military officer. He served well until he died in 1656.

John Alden: Cooper and Influential Colonist

John Alden was hired in Southampton as a cooper, someone who makes barrels. He married fellow Mayflower passenger Priscilla Mullins. Their story is famous from a romantic poem. The couple became very successful. John became an important and powerful colonist. He was involved in many government activities throughout his long life.

Samuel Fuller: Colony Doctor

Samuel Fuller was important among the English Separatists in Leiden, Holland. He was also active in Plymouth Colony. He left his family in Leiden. He came on the Mayflower with only a young servant, William Butten, who died at sea. Fuller was the colony's doctor and surgeon, mostly self-taught. He died in 1633 from a fever that killed many people that year.

Christopher Martin: "Strangers" Leader

Christopher Martin was a wealthy leader of the "Strangers" on the Mayflower. These were people who were not part of the religious group. He also represented the investors who funded the trip. He came with his wife and two servants. One was his step-son Solomon Prower. The other was John Langmore. Both died early. Martin was chosen as "governor" of the Speedwell and then of the Mayflower. He had disagreements with other passengers and about buying supplies. Because of this, he was removed from his leadership role at sea. In Plymouth, Solomon Prower died in December 1620. Martin died in January 1621. His wife also died that first winter.

William Mullins: Prosperous Merchant

William Mullins was a merchant who invested in the trip. Bradford said he was one of the wealthier Mayflower passengers. He traveled with his wife, son, and daughter. His servant Robert Carter died early in 1621. He had two children still in England. Mullins died in February 1621. His wife and son died sometime after, but before November 1621. Only his daughter Priscilla survived. She married John Alden. Her inheritance helped them become a successful colonial family.

William White: First English Child Born in New England

William White was likely a successful London merchant. He came on the Mayflower with his family and two servants. One servant, Edward Thompson, died early in December 1620. William Holbeck died in early 1621. His wife gave birth to a son named Peregrine in late November. This happened while the ship was anchored in Cape Cod Harbor. Peregrine is known as the first English child born in New England. White died in February 1621. His widow Susanna married Edward Winslow in May 1621. This was the first marriage in the colony. Their son Josiah Winslow became a long-term governor of the colony.

Richard Warren: Colony Affairs

Richard Warren was a London merchant. His family became one of the most successful in Plymouth Colony. He was important in colony matters until his early death around 1628. His widow Elizabeth came over in 1623 with their five daughters. She was able to take on some of his government duties after he died. This was unusual for a woman at that time.

John Howland: Servant to Leader

John Howland came on the Mayflower as a servant to John Carver. When Carver and his wife died, Howland may have received some of their property. This might have helped him quickly become a colony leader. Throughout his long life, he was involved in many government and church activities. He married Elizabeth, daughter of John Tilley. They had a large family with many famous descendants.

Stephen Hopkins: New World Experience

Stephen Hopkins was a successful man. He boarded the Mayflower with his wife, four children, and two servants. Another son was born later at sea. He was the only Mayflower passenger who had been to the New World before. He was shipwrecked in Bermuda in 1609 for nine months. They built two small ships to escape to Virginia. In Jamestown, he worked for two years under Captain John Smith. He might have met Pocahontas there. His past experience with Native Americans in Virginia helped him with relationships in Plymouth Colony.

Edward Tilley: Early Death

Edward Tilley was from London. He was connected to Thomas Weston, one of the investors. He and his wife were part of the Leiden group. Both died in the first winter. Edward likely died in January 1621 from pneumonia. His brother John and his wife also died that winter. Edward was caring for relatives Humility Cooper and Henry Samson. They survived and became orphans. Their relative Elizabeth Tilley, the only survivor of the John Tilley family, later married John Howland.

John Tilley: Family Tragedy

John Tilley was Edward Tilley's older brother. John and his wife both died in the first winter, just like his brother Edward and his wife. Their daughter Elizabeth survived. She married John Howland and had a large family.

Francis Cooke: Long Life in the Colony

Francis Cooke was an early and important member of the Leiden Separatists. He lived in Leiden before the English Separatists arrived. He married Hester Mayhieu, a French Walloon. He came over in 1620 with his son John. The rest of his family came on the Anne in 1623. He was involved in many colonial military and government activities throughout his long life. He died in 1695.

Thomas Rogers: Merchant and Church Member

Thomas Rogers was a merchant in Leiden and a member of the Separatist church. His oldest son Joseph came with him on the Mayflower and survived him. Thomas Rogers died in the first winter.

Thomas Tinker: Family Lost

Thomas Tinker, his wife, and son were all part of the Leiden group. All three died in the first winter.

John Rigsdale: Early Settler

John Rigsdale and his wife Alice were from London. They both died in the early weeks of the colony.

Edward Fuller: Orphaned Son

Edward Fuller arrived with his wife and son Samuel. His brother Samuel Fuller was also with them. Edward Fuller and his brother Samuel Fuller are mentioned in Leiden, Holland records. Both Edward and his wife died soon after arriving in Plymouth. Their son Samuel survived and became one of the colony's orphans. Another son, Matthew, came to the colony later.

John Turner: Leiden Church Member

John Turner was one of the earliest members of the Leiden church. He was a burgess (a town official) of Leiden in 1610. He moved to Leiden from England with Bradford and Brewster. He and his two sons came as part of the Leiden group. All of them died soon after arriving. He had a daughter named Elizabeth who came over later and married in Salem.

Francis Eaton: Carpenter

Francis Eaton might have been hired by the investors as a carpenter for the Mayflower. He arrived with his wife Sarah and son Samuel. His wife died soon after. He married two more times and died in 1633.

James Chilton: Oldest Passenger

James Chilton was about 64 years old on the Mayflower, making him the oldest passenger. He was a Leiden Separatist. His wife Susanna and daughter Mary came with him. His daughter Isabella came later, and daughter Ingle stayed in Leiden. He died on December 8, 1620, while the ship was still anchored in Cape Cod Harbor. His wife also died in the first winter. Mary Chilton married John Winslow.

John Crackston: Family Losses

John Crackstone/Crackston was a Leiden Separatist. He came with his son John. His married daughter Anne stayed in Leiden. He died the first winter in Plymouth. His son John died shortly after 1627.

John Billington: Troublesome Family

John Billington came from London with his wife and two sons. They were not Separatists and caused a lot of trouble for the other passengers. Bradford wondered how they ended up on the Mayflower. After arriving in Plymouth, they continued to cause problems for the colony and its leaders.

Moses Fletcher: Smith from Leiden

Moses Fletcher was a Leiden Separatist and a smith (someone who works with metal). He died shortly after arriving in the colony. He left a family in Holland who had many descendants. There is proof that his descendants live in Europe today.

John Goodman: Leiden Congregation Member

John Goodman was a member of the Leiden church. He is thought to have died sometime after January 19, 1621, and by 1627.

Degory Priest: Early Death

Degory Priest was about 40 years old in 1619. He was a Leiden Separatist and was married to Sarah, Isaac Allerton's sister. He died early in January 1621. He left behind a widow and two daughters. His wife returned to Holland, remarried, and came back on the Anne in 1623 with her new husband and her daughters.

Thomas Williams: From Yarmouth

Thomas Williams was about 40 years old on the Mayflower. Bradford said he was one of the adult men from Leiden. He and his sister lived in Leiden and were known to be from Yarmouth in County Norfolk. He died the first winter.

Gilbert Winslow: Young Signer

Gilbert Winslow arrived with his brother Edward Winslow. He was allowed to sign the Mayflower Compact even though he was only about 20 years old. This was probably because of his brother's important position. He appeared in the 1623 land division. He returned to England after several years in the colony and died there.

Edmund Margesson: Early Death

Edmund Margesson died soon after arriving in the colony. His name might have been "Edmund Masterson" or "Margetson."

Peter Browne: Not a Separatist

Peter Browne was not a Leiden Separatist. He was from the same hometown as William Mullins, who also was not from Leiden. He married a widow named Mary Ford. She might have been the only woman on the ship Fortune in 1621. She died in 1630, and he died in 1633.

Richard Britteridge: First Death in Plymouth

Richard Britteridge was probably from London. His name might have been "Brightridge." He was not in Leiden records. He was the first person to die after the Mayflower reached Plymouth. He died on December 21, 1620. He was one of six passengers who died in December.

George Soule: Public Servant

George Soule arrived from London as a servant to Edward Winslow. He was involved in many public service activities in the colony throughout his long life. He died in 1679.

Richard Clarke: Unknown Background

Richard Clarke was probably not a member of the Leiden church. Not much is known about his life. He died soon after arriving.

Richard Gardiner: Seaman

Richard Gardiner's name might also be spelled "Gardinar." Some say he was a sailor hired to stay in the colony but returned to England. He received land in the colony in 1623. He was a crew member of the ship Little James in 1624. Bradford wrote that he became a seaman and might have died in England or at sea.

John Allerton: Early Death

John Allerton was hired to stay in the colony for a year to work. Then he was supposed to return to Leiden to help others come to America. But he died in the early months of 1621. He might have been related to Isaac Allerton, but there is no clear proof.

Thomas English: Ship's Master

Thomas English was a Mayflower seaman. He was hired as the master of the ship's shallop (a small sailboat). This boat was used for coastal travel and trading. He died in the first winter, before the Mayflower returned to England in April 1621.

Edward Doty: Quick Temper

Edward Doty was from London. He came as a servant to Stephen Hopkins, also from London. He was known for his quick temper. This caused many problems in the colony during the more than 30 years he lived there. One of the first problems was in June 1621. He had a fight with swords and daggers with another servant, Edward Leister. Both were slightly hurt and punished in public.

Edward Leister: Moved to Virginia

Edward Leister came from London as a servant to Stephen Hopkins. He finished his training and then moved to Virginia Colony.