Elder William Brewster was born about 1560, at Scrooby, England. He was educated at Cambridge University and became an attache‚ in the suite of William Davidson the English Ambassador to the Court of Holland, and afterwards with him suffered the displeasure of Queen Elizabeth. After spending some time in Leyden he came to America in the Mayflower, which landed at Plymouth Rock on December 21, 1620. His wife's name was Mary and she was known as "Dame Brewster." They had three sons, Jonathan, Wrestling, and Love, and four daughters, one of whom was named Fear.
The following interesting account is from Governor Bradford's list of Mayflower passengers:
"The names of those which came over first in ye year 1620 and were (by the blessing of God) the first beginners and (in a sort) the foundation of all the plantations and Colonies in New England (and their families)."
"Mr. William Brewster, Mary his wife with 2 sons whose names were Love 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."
"Mr. Brewster lived to very old age; about .80. years he was when he dyed, having lived some .23. or .24. years here in ye countrie & though his wife dyed long before she died aged. His son Wrastle dyed a yonge man unmarried; his son Love lived till this year .1650. and dyed and left 4 children now living. His doughters which came over after him, are dead but have left Sundry children alive; his eldest son (Jonathan) is still living and hath .9. or .10. children, one maried, who hath a child or 2."
Elder William Brewster was Chaplain of the first Military Company organized at Plymouth under command of Captain Myles Standish. He served in the Indian wars. His son Jonathan Brewster was a member of the same company and took part in the Pequot War. ******************************************************************* On 12 June 1609, a Leyden record shows that William Brewster and Ann Peck gave power of attorney to Thomas Simkinson, merchant of Hull. Presumably Thomas Simkinson has some relation to Brewster's mother's first husband John Simkinson. ********************************************************************* From "Colonial Families of the United States", Vol. III, Brewster Family, p.78: "The Brewster family is accredited to the County of Suffolk, England, and the father of Elder William Brewster in conjectured to have been either William Brewster, who awas a tenant at Scrooby of Archbishop Sandys; Henry Brewster, vicar of Sutton-cum-Lound; or James Brewster, who succeeded Henry. The coat of arms of the American branch of the family is identical with that of the ancient Suffolk branch. William Brewster, a Pilgrim Father, was b. in Scrooby, England, 1560; d. in Plymouth, Mass., 16th Apr. 1644; lived at the Manor Hall, at the same house at which Cardinal Woolsey made his last stop on his way home after his banishment by Henry VIII; educated at Cambridge University, he entered the service of William Davidson, Ambassador of Queen Elizabeth, in Holland; withdrew from the Church of England and established a Society of Separatists, which worshipped at his house. Owing to persecution he attempted to fly to Holland in 1607, but was apprehended and imprisoned at Boston, in Lincolnshire. He gained his liberty at much expense, and with some of his followers went to Leyden, where he opened a school for the teaching of English. He was so esteemed that he was chosen the spiritual guide of the Pilgrims who emigrated to America, sailing from Leyden 6th of Sept. 1620. O.S. At New Plymouth he preached very impressive sermons for nearly nine years. Though he had the care of the chruch, he could never be persuaded to administer the Lord's Supper. He was a member and chaplain of the first Military company organized at Plymouth, under Captain Miles Standish, and served against the Indians in various expeditions. m. circa 1594, Mary (surname unknown).
More About William Brewster: Emigrated: 1620, Mayflower passenger.
More About William Brewster and Mary (Unknown): Marriage: Abt. 1594
Children of William Brewster and Mary (Unknown) are:
+Love Brewster, b. 1595, Scrooby, England, d. January 31, 1649/50, Duxbury, MA.
Elder William Brewster (b. Abt. 1560, d. April 16, 1644)
Notes for William Brewster: