What would you do if someone told you that you had a chance to be part of a group of people that would travel to Mars and be the first to colonize the planet? Would you go? Would you risk your life for the possibility that you might survive and prosper? Would you leave everything you know for the unknown? Honestly, I’m not sure most of us would have the courage. The people that boarded the Mayflower back in 1620 had a remarkable kind of courage. They made the choice to risk it all for a new life; a new beginning.
There is nothing more exciting to an obsessed, self proclaimed Family Historian than proving your lineage to a Mayflower passenger! Below is a chart showing my line from my great-grandparents up to my 12th great-grandfather Mayflower passenger Richard Warren.
There were 102 passengers; 74 men, 28 women. Almost half of them died that first winter.
Not much is known about Richard Warren’s life prior to boarding the Mayflower in 1620. He was probably born in Co Hertforshire England about 1578. He married Elizabeth Walker on April 14, 1610 in Great Amwell, Hertfordshire, England.
He was not one of the “Separatists” that originally took refuge in Leiden, Holland. It’s generally believed that he was a ‘merchant‘ from London. So why did he choose to leave his life in England? Maybe he sought wealth? We’ll never really know the reason, only that the choice was incredibly courageous.
Richard Warren was a signer on the Mayflower Compact. Which some call the first political document in America.
Richard traveled to the America alone, leaving his wife Elizabeth, and five daughters: Mary, Ann, Sarah, Elizabeth, and Abigail back in England. They eventually sailed to America on the “Anne” in 1623. Two sons were born in America, Nathaniel and Joseph. All of Richard and Elizabeth‘s 7 children grew to adulthood and had several children.
It’s also not known how Richard died, or the exact date of his death, but it is believed to be sometime in the year 1628.
“1628”
“This year died Mr. Richard Warren, who hath been mentioned before in this book, and was an useful instrument ; and during his life bore a deep share in the difficulties and troubles of the first settlement of the plantation of New Plimouth.”
Nathaniel Morton, New England’s Memorial
(Boston: John Usher, 1669)
Next year, in 2020, there will be multiple celebrations for 400th year anniversary of the Mayflower’s historic journey. Click on the links below to see what’s happening!
Find me, remember me
commonroots.blog 
Those who were the first to settle here definitely were courageous. Even crossing the ocean was dangerous and, apparently, most couldn’t swim and were very afraid of drowning if the ship went down. They were definitely a hardy people willing to take a big risk for a new life.My ancestor, George Soule, made the voyage with Richard Warren. It took me more than 35 years to find a Mayflower connection.
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Even with technology today, I’m still afraid of the deep ocean! But I’m so glad that our ancestors took the risk!
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I never thought about their voyage being as risky as going to Mars, but it indeed was. I descend from John Howland who was washed overboard during a storm. He was rescued and later married Elizabeth Tilly, who was orphaned the first winter. My husband descends from Thomas Rogers, so our son ended up having five ancestors come on the Mayflower!
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So jealous! I’ve been searching for a Mayflower ancestor for 30 years with NO luck! Turns out my people got here before those Mayflower latecomers, lol! Seriously though, thank you for sharing your post in the Genealogy Blog Party. Loved your insight about uprooting your life and traveling to parts unknown. 🙂
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Thank you! I’m NEW to blogging and I’m still trying to get me legs. I hope to join in on another party soon! 😁
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