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Mayflower Compact

Before coming to the New World, the Pilgrims had lived in Leyden, Holland from 1608 to 1620. While there, they absorbed the liberating influences of Dutch society and shifted toward a more democratic form of self-governance.

As the passengers aboard the Mayflower journeyed across the Atlantic, there were three factions: the Separatists seeking religious freedom, the merchant-adventurers seeking their fortune, and the crew seeking their livelihood. It became apparent that if these passengers were to survive in an alien land,they needed to consent voluntarily to a cooperative form of government.Thus it was that The Mayflower Compact came into being and was signed by the adult male passengers in November, 1620.

While the language of Shakespeare's day might seem quaint to us today, the spirit of democracy, embracing a civil body politick, set forth in this famous document is timeless.

The Mayflower Compact

"In the name of God, Amen. We, whose names are underwritten, the Loyal Subjects of our dread Sovereign Lord, King James, by the Grace of God,of Great Britain, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, etc.

"Having undertaken for the Glory of God, and Advancement of the Christian Faith, and the Honour of our King and Country, a voyage to plant the first colony in the northern Parts of Virginia; do by these presents,solemnly and mutually in the Presence of God and one of another,covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil Body Politick, for our better ordering and Preservation, and Furtherance of the Ends aforesaid; And by Virtue hereof to enact,constitute, and frame, such just and equal laws, ordinances, Acts,Constitutions and Offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the General Good of the Colony; unto which we promise all due Submission and obedience. In Witness whereof we have here unto subscribed our names at Cape Cod the eleventh of November, in the Reign of our Sovereign Lord, King James of England, France and Ireland, the eighteenth, and of Scotland the fifty-fourth. Anno Domini, 1620."
 

       Signers of the Mayflower Compact

John Carver                                                      Edward Tilley                                            Degory Priest

William Bradford                                                      John Tilley                                            Thomas Williams

Edward Winslow                                               Francis Cooke                                         Gilbert Winslow

      William Brewster                                               Thomas Rogers                                     Edmund Margesson

Isaac Allerton                                                     Thomas Tinker                                            Peter Brown  

      Myles Standish                                                 John Rigsdale                                         Richard Britteridge

John Alden                                                        Edward Fuller                                           George Soule

Samuel Fuller                                                     John Turner                                             Richard Clarke

Christopher Martin                                             Francis Eaton                                          Richard Gardiner

William Mullins                                                 James Chilton                                           John Allerton   

William White                                                    John Crackstone                                    Thomas English

Richard Warren                                                   John Billington                                           Edward Doty    

John Howland                                                    Moses Fletcher                                         Edward Leister

Stephen Hopkins                                                                                                                   John Goodman

 

The Passengers of the Mayflower - Click on name for biography

John Alden John Carver Richard Gardinar Mary More Elizabeth Tilley
Isaac Allerton Katherine (White) Carver John Goodman William Mullins Thomas Tinker, wife, and son
Mary (Norris) Allerton James Chilton William Holbeck Mrs. Alice Mullins William Trevore
Bartholomew Allerton Mrs. Chilton John Hooke Priscilla Mullins John Turner, and two sons
Remember Allerton Mary Chilton Stephen Hopkins Joseph Mullins Richard Warren
Mary Allerton Richard Clarke Elizabeth (Fisher) Hopkins Degory Priest William White
John Allerton Francis Cooke Constance Hopkins Solomon Prower Mrs. Susanna White
John Billington John Cooke Giles Hopkins John Rigsdale Resolved White
Eleanor Billington Humility Cooper Damaris Hopkins Alice Rigsdale Roger Wilder
John Billington John Crackston Oceanus Hopkins Thomas Rogers Thomas Williams
Francis Billington John Crackston (Son) John Howland Joseph Rogers Edward Winslow
William Bradford Edward Doty John Langmore Henry Samson Elizabeth (Barker) Winslow
Dorothy (May) Bradford Francis Eaton William Latham George Soule Gilbert Winslow
William Brewster Mrs. Sarah Eaton Edward Leister Myles Standish "Mr. Ely"
Mrs. Mary Brewster Samuel Eaton Edmund Margesson Mrs. Rose Standish Dorothy, Carver's maidservant
Love Brewster Thomas English Christopher Martin Elias Story  
Wrestling Brewster Moses Fletcher Mary (Prower) Martin Edward Thompson  
Richard Britteridge Edward Fuller Desire Minter Edward Tilley  
Peter Browne Mrs. Fuller Ellen More Ann (Cooper) Tilley  
William Button Samuel Fuller Jasper More John Tilley  
Robert Carter Samuel Fuller Richard More Joan (Hurst) Tilley  

 
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