5.4.7 List of Mayflower passengers [Of Plimoth Plantation]

This document lists the names, families, and connections between people who arrived in New England in 1620 on board the Mayflower. Although the handwriting is difficult to decipher, reading through the names of the people who traveled on this ship gives us quite a bit of information about why these British colonists wanted to establish a permanent residence in New England. Look, for example, at the first entry in the upper right-hand column with the number 8 written next to it. The entry reads: “Mr. John Carver. Katherine his wife. 2 man-servants, John Howland, Roger Wilder, William Latham, a boy, and a maid servant, and a child that was put to him called Jasper More.” Notice that there are servants on this list and they outnumber others in the group. What are servants? Do people employ servants today? Why do you think these British settlers would bring servants with them to New England? What kinds of jobs did people expect to do, and what were the settlers’ goals in the New World?

This primary source lists the names, families, and connections between people who arrived in New England in 1620 aboard the Mayflower. Although the handwriting is difficult to decipher, ask your students to read through a few of the names of the people who came. Skimming this list provides quite a bit of information about why these British colonists wanted to establish a permanent residence in New England. Have your students focus on the first entry in the upper right-hand column with the number 8 written next to it. The entry reads: “Mr. John Carver. Katherine his wife. 2 man-servants, John Howland, Roger Wilder, William Latham, a boy, and a maid servant, and a child that was put to him called Jasper More.” Have your students notice that there were more servants than anyone else in this group. Servants helped care for the land, built housing, worked to secure food, and helped the owners be comfortable in this new land. Ask your students to consider these questions: Why do you think these British settlers would bring servants with them to New England? What clues does the fact that there are so many servants on this list provide about the kinds of jobs people would do and the settlers’ goals in the New World? Although we ordinarily think that English settlers went to New England seeking religious freedom, this list complicates that explanation by focusing partly on the economic roles of people who arrived on the Mayflower.

“The names of the whole which came over first, in the year 1620 and were (by the blessing of god) the first beginers, and (in a fort) the foundation, of all the plantations, and colonies in New-England (and their families)

“Mr. John Carver. Katherine his wife.
Desire m[?]inter; &2 man-servants, John Howland, Roger Wilder, William Latham, a boy, and a maid servant, and a child that was put to him called Jasper More.”

Master William Brewster.
Mary his wife, with 2 sons, whose names were Loue, and Wrasling, and a boy was put to him called Richard More; and another of his brothers. The rest of his children were left behind and came over afterwards.

Master Edward Winslow Elizabeth his wife, and two men servants caled Georg Sowle, and Elias Story; also a little girle was put to him called Ellen, the sister of Richard More.

William Bradford, and Dorothy his wife, having but one child, a sone left behind, who came afterward.

Master Haack Allerton, and Mary his wife; with 3 children Bartholmenu
Remember, and Mary, and a servant boy, John Hooke.

Master Samuell Fuller; and a servant, caled Butten. His wife was behind and a child, which came afterwards.

John Crakston, and his sone John Crackston

Captain Myles Standish and Rose, hiw wife

Master Christopher Martin, and his wife; and 2 servants, Salamon Prower, and John Langemore

Master William Mullines, and his wife; and 2 children Joseph, & Priscila; and a servant Robart Carter.

Master William White, and Susana his wife; and one sone called resolved, and one borne a ship-bord caled Perigriene; & 2 servants, anmed William Holbeck, & Edward Thomso[n]

Master Steven Hopkins, and Elizabeth his wife; and 2 children, caled Giles and Constanta a dougher, both by a former wife. And 2 more by this wife, called Damaris & Oceanus, the last was borne at sea. And 2 servants, called Edward Doty, and Edward Litster.

Master Richard Warren, but his wife and children were Lefte behind and came afterwards

John Billington, and Elen his wife; and 2 sones John & Francis

Edward Tillie, and Ann his wife; and 2 children that were their cossens; Henery Samson, and Humility Coper

John Tillie, and his wife; and Eelizabeth their doughter.