John Carver
| John Carveur | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Carver signing the Mayflower Compact | |
| 1st Governor of Plymouth Colony | |
| In office 1620–1621 |
|
| Preceded by | None |
| Succeeded by | William Bradford |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1576 Nottinghamshire, England |
| Died | 1621 (aged 44–45) Massachusetts Bay Colony |
| Nationality | English |
| Religion | Puritan |
John Carver (ca. 1576 – April 5, 1621) was a Pilgrim leader. He was the first governor of Plymouth Colony and his is the first signature on the Mayflower Compact.[1][2]
Contents |
[edit] Mayflower
Carver was a wealthy London merchant. Little is known about his early life, however he was probably born in England.[3] The first definitive record of the Carver's involvement in the Leiden Separatist community appears in 1616, where he served as deacon of the church.[3] He was very much welcome in the group because of his willingness to bear the financial expenses. He donated much of his personal estate to the Pilgrim congregation and to the Mayflower voyage.[4][5]
In 1617, he became the agent for the Pilgrims in securing a charter and financial support for the establishment of a colony in America.[6]
Carver chartered the Mayflower and was chosen as governor of the ship. With 101 other colonists, he set sail from Plymouth, England, in September 1620.[7]
He traveled with his wife, Catherine, and with one servant, Jasper More, a child of seven years of age. Jasper's three brothers and sisters were given into the care of other senior members of the company. Until relatively recently the children were thought to be orphans or foundlings[8], but, in the 1990's, it was conclusively shown that they were sent to America because they were illegitimate, and the source of great controversy in England.[9] It is not known whether Carver knew anything about Jasper's's background. Jasper died in the winter of 1620/21.
[edit] In America
Carver signed the Mayflower Compact on November 11, 1620, and on the same day was elected governor of the colony. He was regarded as "a gentleman of singular piety."[10] In March 1621, Carver established a peace treaty with Chief Massasoit of the Wampanoag tribe. This was one of America's most successful Indian treaties, lasting for over half a century[11][12]
Carver died suddenly one month later after falling ill while working in the fields. William Bradford was named his successor.[13]
The town of Carver, Massachusetts, just west of Plymouth, was named for him.
[edit] See also
- List of passengers on the Mayflower
- List of Mayflower passengers who died in the winter of 1620–1621
- Colony
- Katherine More and the More children
[edit] References
- ^ Philbrick, Nathaniel, Mayflower: A Story of Courage, Community, and War, p. 43, Viking, New York, NY, 2006.
- ^ "John and Catherine Carver," Pilgrim Hall Museum Web site (http://www.pilgrimhall.org/CarverJohn.htm) Retrieved 28 Jan. 2011.
- ^ a b "John and Catherine Carver.". Pilgrim Hall Museum. http://www.pilgrimhall.org/CarverJohn.htm. Retrieved 27 October 2010.
- ^ Philbrick, Nathaniel, Mayflower: A Story of Courage, Community, and War, p. 42, Viking, New York, NY, 2006.
- ^ Bradford, William, Of Plymouth Plantation, 1620-1647, ed. by Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 31-2, 38, 42-51, 59, 68, 76-8, 85-6, 92, 94, 100, 358, 362-8, The Modern Library, Random House, New York, NY, 1967.
- ^ Philbrick, Nathaniel, Mayflower: A Story of Courage, Community, and War, p. 19, Viking, New York, NY, 2006.
- ^ "Mayflower: The Journey, the People, and the Ship". Plimoth Plantation. http://www.plimoth.org/kids/homeworkHelp/mayflower.php. Retrieved 27 October 2010.
- ^ ‘The More Children and The Mayflower’ & ‘Richard More of Shipton’ both by Donald F. Harris Ph.D: published by The Churchwardens of St James Parish Church, Shipton. These pamphlets are themselves a precis of three research papers published in ‘The Mayflower Descendant’, the magazine of the Massachusetts Society of Mayflower Descendants, Volume 43 July 1993 and Volume 44 January & July 1994.
- ^ see Katherine More
- ^ Stratton, Eugene Aubrey, Plymouth Colony: Its History and People 1620-1691, Myfamily.com, Inc., 1986.
- ^ Parker, Dana T., "Reasons to Celebrate the Pilgrims," Orange County Register, Nov. 22, 2010 (http://www.ocregister.com/opinion/first-277221-pilgrims-america.html), Retrieved 28 Jan. 2011.
- ^ Heinsohn, Robert Jennings. "Pilgrims and Wampanoag: The Prudence of Bradford and Massasoit". Sail 1620. http://www.sail1620.org/history/articles/119-pilgrims-wampanoag.html. Retrieved 27 October 2010..
- ^ "Modern History Sourcebook: William Bradford: from History of Plymouth Plantation, c. 1650". Internet Modern History Sourcebook. http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/1650bradford.html#On%20the%20Mayflower. Retrieved 27 October 2010.
