John Alden Family

John Alden was hired as a cooper by the London merchants who financed the expedition to the New World. Priscilla Mullins went to America with her parents and younger brother. The other three members of her family died during the terrible first winter of the Plymouth Colony. Probably in 1623 she and John married. They lived in Plymouth until about 1631, when they and others founded the settlement of Duxbury (now in Massachusetts). They had 11 children, but virtually nothing is known of Priscilla's later life. The date of her death is unknown, but it may have occurred before her husband's in 1687. John Alden became a prominent figure in colonial Massachusetts. From his farm at Duxbury he served in a variety of civic capacities: agent for the colony, surveyor of highways, deputy from Duxbury, member of the local council of war, treasurer, and, most important, assistant to the governor of Massachusetts (1623-1641 and 1650-1686). During this time he twice served as deputy governor. When he died, he was the last male survivor of the Mayflower Company.[1]

George Willison in his "Saints & Strangers" says: "John was a hopefull yonge man" of twenty from Harwich, co. Essex, England. His children remember him as tall, blond, and very powerful in physique, one of the strongest men at Plymouth. A Cooper by trade, he was one of five men hired under contract to stay in the colony for one year, at the end of which they were free to leave or stay as they chose.[3] His duty aboard the Mayflower was carefully tending the Pilgrims' precious barrels of beer, plain water, and 'strongwater' which took up much space in the hold. He had plenty to do keeping the barrels tight and sampling them occasionally to see that air was not getting in to spoil the contents."[4]

In 1634 when he put into Boston on the Plymouth bark, he was arrested and locked up for murder. He was exonerated after a lengthy dispute over legal jurisdiction and final indentification of the actual murderer. He served the Colony faithfully for many years dying in 1687 in his 89th year, outliving many of his children. He is buried beside Priscilla on his farm near Eagle Tree Pond in Duxbury. To the last he was a bold and hearty man, "stern, austere, and unyielding" hating change and innovation, walking steadily in the ways of the "Saints" he had learned as a youth.[3]

Two popular myths have combined to perpetuate a romantic aura about the memory of the Aldens. One claimed he was the first Pilgrim to set foot on Plymouth Rock. The other, which arose from a legend transmitted orally in the family, was dramatized in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem "The Courtship of Miles Standish" (1858). In that legend, Alden presumably won the hand of Priscilla Alden after wooing her for his friend Standish. Because of the story, Priscilla Alden alone, among the women of the Plymouth Colony, is remembered by name. The tale of triumph of romantic love is nearly unique in the lore of the Pilgrims and is probably not founded in fact; nonetheless, the story - especially Priscilla's alleged words "Why don't you speak for yourself, John" remains a part of American folklore.[1]


	John Alden Family John & Priscilla Alden Family Website INTRODUCTION John Alden was hired as a cooper by the London merchants who financed the expedition to the New World. Priscilla Mullins went to America with her parents and younger brother. The other three members of her family died during the terrible first winter of the Plymouth Colony. Probably in 1623 she and John married. They lived in Plymouth until about 1631, when they and others founded the settlement of Duxbury (now in Massachusetts). They had 11 children, but virtually nothing is known of Priscilla's later life. The date of her death is unknown, but it may have occurred before her husband's in 1687. John Alden became a prominent figure in colonial Massachusetts. From his farm at Duxbury he served in a variety of civic capacities: agent for the colony, surveyor of highways, deputy from Duxbury, member of the local council of war, treasurer, and, most important, assistant to the governor of Massachusetts (1623-1641 and 1650-1686). During this time he twice served as deputy governor. When he died, he was the last male survivor of the Mayflower Company.[1] George Willison in his "Saints & Strangers" says: "John was a hopefull yonge man" of twenty from Harwich, co. Essex, England. His children remember him as tall, blond, and very powerful in physique, one of the strongest men at Plymouth. A Cooper by trade, he was one of five men hired under contract to stay in the colony for one year, at the end of which they were free to leave or stay as they chose.[3] His duty aboard the Mayflower was carefully tending the Pilgrims' precious barrels of beer, plain water, and 'strongwater' which took up much space in the hold. He had plenty to do keeping the barrels tight and sampling them occasionally to see that air was not getting in to spoil the contents."[4] In 1634 when he put into Boston on the Plymouth bark, he was arrested and locked up for murder. He was exonerated after a lengthy dispute over legal jurisdiction and final indentification of the actual murderer. He served the Colony faithfully for many years dying in 1687 in his 89th year, outliving many of his children. He is buried beside Priscilla on his farm near Eagle Tree Pond in Duxbury. To the last he was a bold and hearty man, "stern, austere, and unyielding" hating change and innovation, walking steadily in the ways of the "Saints" he had learned as a youth.[3] Two popular myths have combined to perpetuate a romantic aura about the memory of the Aldens. One claimed he was the first Pilgrim to set foot on Plymouth Rock. The other, which arose from a legend transmitted orally in the family, was dramatized in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem "The Courtship of Miles Standish" (1858). In that legend, Alden presumably won the hand of Priscilla Alden after wooing her for his friend Standish. Because of the story, Priscilla Alden alone, among the women of the Plymouth Colony, is remembered by name. The tale of triumph of romantic love is nearly unique in the lore of the Pilgrims and is probably not founded in fact; nonetheless, the story - especially Priscilla's alleged words "Why don't you speak for yourself, John" remains a part of American folklore.[1] [1] Internet:Britannica.com/JohnAlden [2] "Saints & Strangers" by George F. Willison (1945) Page 131. [3] Ibid. [4] Ibid. Continue for First Generation First Generation \| Related Links \| Contact Us