William Bradford
Govenor of Plimoth Colony
First Governor of Massachusetts Bay
Colony
circa 1589-1657
William Bradford was born in 1590 in the Yorkshire farming community of Austerfield, England. In his early childhood, both parents died. The boy was shuttled among several relatives, never staying long anywhere. He was about 12 when he happened into the neighboring town of Scrooby. A church service was on. He was impressed by their fellowhip (friendship and good feelings) and their lack of rituals.. By the age of 17 Bradford shared their radical idea of separating from the official Church of England - a dangerous decision, for Separatist leaders were hunted and imprisoned. When the congregation learned that the king, James I, intended to "harry them from the land," they fled to the Netherlands. Life there was hard, and after 12 years they decided to take another long voyage to the New World. The story of the Mayflower voyage and settlement at Plymouth is well known.
Bradford is best known as Governor of Plymouth Colony. He was elected to office of governor at least 30 times. His ability to manage men and affairs was a significant factor in the survival of the Pilgrims at Plymouth
William Bradford kept a journal. From that journal, he wrote "A journal of the Pilgrims at Plymouth.". It is a first-hand account of the Pilgrim adventure: from the decision to move to Holland and then to America, through the Mayflower voyage and establishment of the little settlement of Plymouth, to the expansion and growth of Plymouth Colony.
This is one of the most famous documents of early American history. Originally printed in 1622, it begins with an account of the Pilgrims crossing the Atlantic and the selection of the site for Plymouth plantation.
William Bradford was the long-time leader of the Plymouth Colony. and success of the colony. In his later years, William Bradford also wrote poetry, describing his life and his emotions.