John Howland, Sr., emigrated in 1620 from England to Plymouth Colony, British Colonial America, on the Mayflower.
4 John Howland, Sr., left a will dated 29 May 1672 in Plymouth Colony, Massachusetts, British Colonial America. The Last Will and Testament of mr John howland of Plymouth late Deceased, exhibited to the Court held att Plymouth the fift Day of March Anno Dom 1672 on the oathes of mr Samuell ffuller and mr William Crow as followeth: Know all men to whom these prsents shall Come That I John howland senir of the Towne of New Plymouth in the Collonie of New Plymouth in New England in America, this twenty ninth Day of May one thousand six hundred seaventy and two being of whole mind, and in Good and prfect memory and Remembrance praised be God; being now Grown aged; haveing many Infeirmities of body upon mee; and not Knowing how soon God will call mee out of this world, Doe make and ordaine these prsents to be my Testament Containing herein my last Will in manor and forme following; Imp I Will and bequeath my body to the Dust and my soule to God that Gave it in hopes of a Joyfull Resurrection unto Glory; and as Concerning my temporall estate, I Dispose thereof as followeth;
Item I Doe give and bequeath unto John howland my eldest sonne besides what lands I have alreddy given him, all my Right and Interest To that one hundred acres of land graunted mee by the Court lying on the eastern side of Tauton River; between Teticutt and Taunton bounds and all the appurtenances and privilidges Therunto belonging, T belonge to him and his heirs and assignes for ever; and if that Tract should faile, then to have all my Right title and Interest by and in that Last Court graunt to mee in any other place, To belonge to him his heires and assignes for ever;
Item I give and bequeath unto my son Jabez howland all those my upland and Meadow That I now posesse at Satuckett and Paomett, and places adjacent, with all the appurtenances and privilidges, belonging therunto, and all my right title and Interest therin, To belonge to him his heires and assignes for ever,
Item I Give and bequeath unto my son Jabez howland all that my one peece of land that I have lying on the southsyde of the Mill brooke, in the Towne of Plymouth aforsaid; be it more or lesse; and is on the Northsyde of a feild that is now Gyles Rickards senir To belonge to the said Jabez his heirs and assignes for ever;
Item I give and bequeath unto Isacke howland my youngest sonne all those my uplands and meddows Devided and undivided with all the appurtenances and priviliges unto them belonging, lying and being in the Towne of Middlebery, and in a tract of Land Called the Majors Purchase near Namassakett Ponds; which I have bought and purchased of William White of Marshfeild in the Collonie of New Plymouth; which may or shall appeer by any Deed or writinges Together with the aformentioned prticulares To belonge to the said Isacke his heirs and assignes for ever;
Item I give and bequeath unto my said son Isacke howland the one halfe of my twelve acree lott of Meddow That I now have att Winnatucsett River within the Towne of Plymouth aforsaid To belonge to him and said Isacke howland his heires and assignes for ever,
Item I Will and bequeath unto my Deare and loveing wife Elizabeth howland the use and benifitt of my now Dwelling house in Rockey nooke in the Township of Plymouth aforsaid, with the outhousing lands, That is uplands uplands [sic] and meddow lands and all appurtenances and privilidges therunto belonging in the Towne of Plymouth and all other Lands housing and meddowes that I have in the said Towne of Plymouth excepting what meddow and upland I have before given To my sonnes Jabez and Isacke howland During her naturall life to Injoy make use of and Improve for her benifitt and Comfort;
Item I give and bequeath unto my son Joseph howland after the Decease of my loveing wife Elizabeth howland my aforsaid Dwelling house att Rockey nooke together with all the outhousing uplands and Medowes appurtenances and privilidges belonging therunto; and all other housing uplands and meddowes appurtenances and privilidges That I have within the aforsaid Towne of New Plymouth excepting what lands and meadowes I have before Given To my two sonnes Jabez and Isacke; To belong to him the said Joseph howland To him and his heires and assignes for ever;
Item I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Desire Gorum twenty shillings
Item I give and bequeath To my Daughter hope Chipman twenty shillings
Item I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Elizabeth Dickenson twenty shillings
Item I give and bequeath unto my
Daughter Lydia Browne twenty shillings Item I give & bequeath to my
Daughter hannah Bosworth twenty shillings
Item I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Ruth Cushman twenty shillings
Item I give to my Grandchild Elizabeth howland The Daughter of my son John howland twenty shillings
Item my will is That these legacyes Given to my Daughters, be payed by my exequitrix in such species as shee thinketh meet;
Item I will and bequeath unto my loveing wife Elizabeth howland, my Debts and legacyes being first payed my whole estate: vis: lands houses goods Chattles; or any thing else that belongeth or appertaineth unto mee, undisposed of be it either in Plymouth Duxburrow or Middlbery or any other place whatsoever; I Doe freely and absolutly give and bequeath it all to my Deare and loveing wife Elizabeth howland whom I Doe by these prsents, make ordaine and Constitute to be the sole exequitrix of this my Last will and Testament to see the same truely and faithfully prformed according to the tenour therof;
In witness whereof I the said John howland senir have heerunto sett my hand and seale the aforsaid twenty ninth Day of May, one thousand six hundred seaventy and two 1672. Signed and sealed in the prsence of Samuel ffuller John Howland William Crow And a seale.
1,2 The inventory of his estate was taken on 3 March 1672/73 in Plymouth Colony, Massachusetts, British Colonial America. 1672/3 The inventory of "Mr. John Howland lately deceased" was taken 3 March 1672/3 and totalled £157 8s. 8d. [ MD 2:73-77, citing PCPR 3:1:51-54]. After the inventory, the appraisers noted that "the testator died possessed of these several parcels of land following: his dwelling house with the outhousing, uplands and meadow belonging thereunto lying at Rockey Nooke in the town of New Plymouth, a parcel of meadow at Jones River meadow, the one half of a house and a parcel of meadow and upland belonging thereunto lying and being at Colchester in the aforesaid township, a parcel of meadow and upland belonging thereunto lying near Jones River bridge in the town of Duxburrow, one house and 2 shares of a tract of land and meadow that lyeth in the town of Middleberry that was purchased by Captain Thomas Southworth of and from the Indian Sachem Josias Wampatucke," and "2 shares of a tract of land called the Major's Purchase lying near Namassakett ponds" [MD 2:77, citing PCPR 3:1:54]. (See also PCR 5:108, 110, 127.)
1 John's will was proved on on 6 March 1672/73 in Plymouth Colony, Massachusetts, British Colonial America.
1 =======================
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. Notes for John Howland and Elizabeth Tilley [https://www-personal.umich.edu/]
1620 John Howland came to Plymouth on the Mayflower as a servant to John Carver. [1] [2] [3]
1620 On 6 September, John Howland fell from the deck of the Mayflower into the sea, during a mighty storm on the way to America. "In sundry of these storms the winds were so fierce and the seas so high, as they could not bear a knot of sail, but were forced to hull [drift with no sail] for divers days together. And in one of them, as they thus lay at hull in a mighty storm, a lusty young man called John Howland, coming upon some occasion above the gratings was, with a seele [roll or pitch] of the ship, thrown into the sea; but it pleased God that he caught hold of the topsail halyards which hung overboard and ran out at length. Yet he held his hold (though sundry fathoms under water) till he was hauled up by the same rope to the brim of the water, and then with a boat hook and other means got into the ship again and his life saved. And though he was something ill with it, yet he lived many years after and became a profitable member both in church and commonwealth." [4] [5] [6] [7]
1620 John Howland signed the Mayflower Compact. [8]
1623 In a division of land at Plymouth Colony, to those who came on the Mayflower, John Howland received a 4 acre lot on the south side of the brook to the woodward. [9]
c 1624 John Howland married Elizabeth Tilley, and they subsequentlyt had ten children. [10].
1627 On May 22, lots were cast to divide cattle. John Howland got the fourth lot. Wife Elizabeth, John Howland Junior, and Desire Howland were joyned to his company, along with nine other persons. [11]
1627 John Howland was named among those with land at Plymouth Colony, who would receive a peck of corne per share of land [12] [13].
1627 William Bradford, Captain Myles Standish, and Isaack Allerton were selected to arrange to pay the debts of Plymouth Colony. John Howland, and some others, voted against the selection of these three. [14].
1627 John Howland was one of the underwriters who purchased rights to Plymouth Colony from the adventurers of London and Howland signed an agreement to contract to deliver goods to England to pay the debts of Plymouth Colony. [15].
1628 William Bradford, governor of Plymouth, named John Howland among the partners to barter with James Sherley of London. [16].
1632/33 On 1 January, John Howland and six others were named as Plymouth Colony councillors, or assistants, to Governor Edward Winslow. "Edward Wynslow was chosen Gov'er, & held and was sworne to administer justice in that place for the yeare to come. Likewise M' W?liam Bradford, Capt Myles Standish, John Howland, John Alden, John Done, Stephen Hopkins, & William Gilson we're chosen for the Councell the same yeare at the same Court, who held & received the oath." [17] [18] [19]
1633 John Howland was among "The Names of the Freemen of the Incorporacon of Plymouth in New England, An: 1633" listed at the beginning of of the first volume of Court Orders of the Colony of New Plymouth. In the list he is one of the seven men designated as "Cowncell" after "Edward Winslow, Gov'er." [20]
1633 On the Plymouth tax list of 25 March, John Howland was assessed 18s. [21]
1634 On 1 January, John Howland and others were named as Plymouth Colony Assistants to Governor Winslow. [22] [23] [24]
1634 On 27 March, John Howland was assessed £1 4s. [25]
1634 John Howland was in charge of the fur trading post at Kennebec [MD 2:10-11].
1634 John Howland was named as chief of trade at Kennebec on the river to Piscattaway [26]. In a dispute with Hockings, one man was shot. "Another of Hockins company cominge up upon the decke one of the Plymouth men asked Howland if he should kill him also, but he forbade him saying he feared there had been too many killed already ..." [27] A deposition of the matter gives further details: John Hocking came to Kennebec and challenged the rights of the Plymouth men to their exclusive trade in that place. Mr. John Howland, in charge of the trading post, went out in their bark with several other men and warned Hocking off, but was taunted and defied. Howland "bid three of his men go cut his cable [Hocking's anchor]," but the flow of the stream was too strong and Howland called them back and added Moses Talbot to the crew. Hocking, seeing that their intent was to cut the cable, "presently put his peice almost to Moyses Talbott's head, which Mr. Howland seeing called to him desiring him not to shoot his man but take himself for his mark saying his men did but that which he commanded them and therefore desired him not to hurt any of them, if any wrong was done it was himself that did it and therefore called again to him to take him for his mark saying he stood very fair, but Hocking would not hear nor look towards our bark, but presently shooteth Moyses in the head, and presently took up his pistol in his hand but the Lord stayed him from doing any further hurt by a shot from our bark himself was presently struck dead being shot near the same place in the head where he had murderously shot Moyses" [28] [29]
1635 On 1 January, John Howland and others were named as Plymouth Colony Assistants to Governor William Bradford. [30] [31].
1636/7 On 7 March, John Howland was named in the list of Plymouth Colony freemen [32].
1637 On 4 December, John Howland was granted forty acres of land at the hand creek pond. [33]
1637 On 4 December, "forty acres of land are graunted to Mr. John Howland, lying at the Island Creeke Pond at the western end thereof, with the marsh ground that he useth to mow there" [34].
1638 On 5 November, Mr John Howland of Plymouth was listed with a debt to the king. [35]
1638 On 5 November, the "island called Spectacle, lying upon Green's Harbor, is granted to Mr. John Howland" [36] [37] [38].
1638 John Howland of Ducksborrow, and other assistants to the Governor, were to advise to find ways to improve the trade of beaver [39] [40].
1638 On 26 December, John Howland purchased land in Duxborowe from Lieutenant William Holmes. [41]
1638/39 On 2 February, John Howland purchased the land and buildings of John Jenney, for four score and two pounds sterling and 3 acres of land. [42]
1640 John Howland purchased the remaining service of Joseph Grosse from John Winslow. Howland was to provide food and clothing. [43]
1640 On 5 October, John Howland and others were appointed to mark the bounds between Thomas Prence and Thomas Cushman at Joanes River. [44]
1641 On 1 June, John Howland was a committee member for the town of Plymouth at the general court. [45]
1641 On 15 October, John Howland, was named, along with others, as having business with James Sherley of London, concerning trade of beaver skins and other furs. [46]
1642 On 14 June, John Howland, gentleman and inhabitant of New Plimouth in New England, was named, along with others, as having differences with James Sherley of London, concerning the trade of beaver. [47]
1642 On 17 October, John Howland was granted six acres of meadow "at the North Meadow by Jones River" [48]
1643 "John Howland Sen." was listed as a freeman [49] and as a male able to bear arms [50] in Plymouth Township, Plymouth Colony.
1645 On 28 October, John Howland was a committee member for the town of Plymouth at the general court. [51]
1647 On 1 June, John Howland was a committee member for the town of Plymouth at the general court. [52]
1648 On 7 June, John Howland was a committee member for the town of Plymouth at the general court. [53]
1649 On 8 June, Mr Howland was a committee member for the town of Plymouth at the general court. [54]
1650 On 4 June, Mr Howland was a committee member for the town of Plymouth at the general court. [55]
1650 On 10 June, Mr John Howland was appointed to a committee with full power to determine and conclude a controversy concerning lands called Shawwamett and Pautuxet and protection of the English and Indians. [56] In a report to Governor Bradford, the committee recommended that Plymouth Colony relinquish and yield up unto the governor of Massachusetts those lands. "According to our order, wee have found out and marked a new way from Joaneses River to the Massachusetts Path through John Rogers his ground, and are all agreed the said way by us marked out to bee most convenient and least prejudicial." [57]
1651 In his accounting on the family of John Carver, Bradford reported that "[h]is servant John Howland married the daughter of John Tilley, Elizabeth, and they are both now living, and their eldest daughter hath four children; and their second daughter one, all living, and other of their children marriageable." [58]
1651 On 5 June, Mr John Howland was on a committee of the several townships. [59].
1651 On 19 June, John Howland was named a Purchaser at Plymouth. [60].
1652 On 3 June, John Howland was named as the deputy for the town of Plymouth. [61]
1653 On 7 June, John Howland was named as the deputy for the town of Plymouth. [62]
1653/54 On 7 March, John Howland was named as a deputy to oversee the trade on the Kennebeck River. [63]
1654 On 6 June, John Howland was named as a deputy of the several townships. [64]
1654 On 1 August, John Howland was named as the deputy attending the open court at Conecticott. [65]
1655 On 8 June, John Howland was named as a deputy of the several townships. [66]
1655 On 2 July, Mr Howland engaged that his horse would be one of the horses provided to the commissioners for their trip to New Haven. [67]
1655 On 7 August, Mr Howland and Constant Sandworth were appointed to take order and agree with workmen to repair Joanses River Bridge with all convenient speed. [68]
1656 On 3 June, John Howland was named as a committee member at the general Plymouth Court. [69]
1658 On 1 June, John Howland was named as a deputy of the several townships to the court of election held at the town of Plymouth. [70]
1659 On 2 August, John Howland was appointed to seek the testimony of ancient inhabitants to resolve the disputed bounds of the lands of Thomas Pope and William Shirtliff. [71]
1659 On 3 October, John Howland was the representative from the town of Plymouth to discuss the trade at Kennebecke, which had been interrupted by troubles among the Indians, to the great discouragement of the present farmers thereof. [72]
1661 On 4 June, John Howland was named as a deputy of the several townships at the general court held at the town of Plymouth. [73]
1663 On 1 June, John Howland was named as a deputy of the Plymouth Court. [74]
1665 On 7 June, John Howland was one of several men sworn to the Grand Enquest for the Court of Election at Plymouth. [75]
1666 On 5 June, John Howland was named as a deputy of the several townships [76] and as one of the select men of the town of Plymouth. [77]
1666 On 5 June, "The Court have graunted unto Mr John Howland one hundred acres of land in that land which Captaine Willett made purchase of att Tetiquott. Likewise, the Court have graunted unto John Chipman [husband of daughter Hope] and Jonathan Sparrow, to each of them, fifty acrees of land att the same place where Mr Howland is to bee accomodated next above mensioned. Likewise, the Court haue granted unto the said Mr Howland, John Chipman, and Jonathan Sparrow to bee accomodated with meddow land answarable to theire proportions of upland in the purchase made by Captaine Willett as afors'aid, if itt bee there to bee had; if not, that they shalbee accomodated elswhere with meet proportions, if it can bee found and purchased. The Court have sence aded to Jonathan Sparrow and Mr Chipman fifty acrees of land apeece." [78]
1667 On 5 June, John Howland was named as a deputy at the court of election held at the town of Plymouth. [79]
1669 On 5 July, Anthonie Annible was granted land near that granted to John Howland, John Chipman, and Jonathan Sparrow in 1666. [80]
1670 On May 29, Mr John Howland and Jabez Howland were named among the freemen of the jurisdiction of New Plymouth. [81]
1670 On 7 June, John Howland was named as a deputy at the general court held at the town of Plymouth. [82]
1672
John Howland's Will was dated 29 May, 1672. [MD, 2:70-73, citing PCPR 3:1:49-50] The Last Will and Testament of mr John howland of Plymouth late Deceased, exhibited to the Court held att Plymouth the fift Day of March Anno Dom 1672 on the oathes of mr Samuell ffuller and mr William Crow as followeth: Know all men to whom these prsents shall Come That I John howland senir of the Towne of New Plymouth in the Collonie of New Plymouth in New England in America, this twenty ninth Day of May one thousand six hundred seaventy and two being of whole mind, and in Good and prfect memory and Remembrance praised be God; being now Grown aged; haveing many Infeirmities of body upon mee; and not Knowing how soon God will call mee out of this world, Doe make and ordaine these prsents to be my Testament Containing herein my last Will in manor and forme following; Imp I Will and bequeath my body to the Dust and my soule to God that Gave it in hopes of a Joyfull Resurrection unto Glory; and as Concerning my temporall estate, I Dispose thereof as followeth; Item I Doe give and bequeath unto John howland my eldest sonne besides what lands I have alreddy given him, all my Right and Interest To that one hundred acres of land graunted mee by the Court lying on the eastern side of Tauton River; between Teticutt and Taunton bounds and all the appurtenances and privilidges Therunto belonging, T belonge to him and his heirs and assignes for ever; and if that Tract should faile, then to have all my Right title and Interest by and in that Last Court graunt to mee in any other place, To belonge to him his heires and assignes for ever; Item I give and bequeath unto my son Jabez howland all those my upland and Meadow That I now posesse at Satuckett and Paomett, and places adjacent, with all the appurtenances and privilidges, belonging therunto, and all my right title and Interest therin, To belonge to him his heires and assignes for ever, Item I Give and bequeath unto my son Jabez howland all that my one peece of land that I have lying on the southsyde of the Mill brooke, in the Towne of Plymouth aforsaid; be it more or lesse; and is on the Northsyde of a feild that is now Gyles Rickards senir To belonge to the said Jabez his heirs and assignes for ever; Item I give and bequeath unto Isacke howland my youngest sonne all those my uplands and meddows Devided and undivided with all the appurtenances and priviliges unto them belonging, lying and being in the Towne of Middlebery, and in a tract of Land Called the Majors Purchase near Namassakett Ponds; which I have bought and purchased of William White of Marshfeild in the Collonie of New Plymouth; which may or shall appeer by any Deed or writinges Together with the aformentioned prticulares To belonge to the said Isacke his heirs and assignes for ever; Item I give and bequeath unto my said son Isacke howland the one halfe of my twelve acree lott of Meddow That I now have att Winnatucsett River within the Towne of Plymouth aforsaid To belonge to him and said Isacke howland his heires and assignes for ever, Item I Will and bequeath unto my Deare and loveing wife Elizabeth howland the use and benifitt of my now Dwelling house in Rockey nooke in the Township of Plymouth aforsaid, with the outhousing lands, That is uplands uplands [sic] and meddow lands and all appurtenances and privilidges therunto belonging in the Towne of Plymouth and all other Lands housing and meddowes that I have in the said Towne of Plymouth excepting what meddow and upland I have before given To my sonnes Jabez and Isacke howland During her naturall life to Injoy make use of and Improve for her benifitt and Comfort; Item I give and bequeath unto my son Joseph howland after the Decease of my loveing wife Elizabeth howland my aforsaid Dwelling house att Rockey nooke together with all the outhousing uplands and Medowes appurtenances and privilidges belonging therunto; and all other housing uplands and meddowes appurtenances and privilidges That I have within the aforsaid Towne of New Plymouth excepting what lands and meadowes I have before Given To my two sonnes Jabez and Isacke; To belong to him the said Joseph howland To him and his heires and assignes for ever; Item I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Desire Gorum twenty shillings Item I give and bequeath To my Daughter hope Chipman twenty shillings Item I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Elizabeth Dickenson twenty shillings
Item I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Lydia Browne twenty shillings Item I give & bequeath to my Daughter hannah Bosworth twenty shillings Item I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Ruth Cushman twenty shillings Item I give to my Grandchild Elizabeth howland The Daughter of my son John howland twenty shillings Item my will is That these legacyes Given to my Daughters, be payed by my exequitrix in such species as shee thinketh meet; Item I will and bequeath unto my loveing wife Elizabeth howland, my Debts and legacyes being first payed my whole estate: vis: lands houses goods Chattles; or any thing else that belongeth or appertaineth unto mee, undisposed of be it either in Plymouth Duxburrow or Middlbery or any other place whatsoever; I Doe freely and absolutly give and bequeath it all to my Deare and loveing wife Elizabeth howland whom I Doe by these prsents, make ordaine and Constitute to be the sole exequitrix of this my Last will and Testament to see the same truely and faithfully prformed according to the tenour therof; In witness whereof I the said John howland senir have heerunto sett my hand and seale the aforsaid twenty ninth Day of May, one thousand six hundred seaventy and two 1672. Signed and sealed in the prsence of Samuel ffuller John Howland William Crow And a seale
1672/3 The inventory of "Mr. John Howland lately deceased" was taken 3 March 1672/3 and totalled £157 8s. 8d. [ MD 2:73-77, citing PCPR 3:1:51-54]. After the inventory, the appraisers noted that "the testator died possessed of these several parcels of land following: his dwelling house with the outhousing, uplands and meadow belonging thereunto lying at Rockey Nooke in the town of New Plymouth, a parcel of meadow at Jones River meadow, the one half of a house and a parcel of meadow and upland belonging thereunto lying and being at Colchester in the aforesaid township, a parcel of meadow and upland belonging thereunto lying near Jones River bridge in the town of Duxburrow, one house and 2 shares of a tract of land and meadow that lyeth in the town of Middleberry that was purchased by Captain Thomas Southworth of and from the Indian Sachem Josias Wampatucke," and "2 shares of a tract of land called the Major's Purchase lying near Namassakett ponds" [MD 2:77, citing PCPR 3:1:54]. (See also PCR 5:108, 110, 127.)
1672/73 On 4 March, "Att this Court, Mistris Elizabeth Howland, the relict of Mr John Howland, Senior, deceased, came into the Court, and did freely give and surrender up all her right that she hath in the lands of the said John Howland, Senior, lying and being att Namassnkett, in the township of Middleberry, unto Mr John Gorham of Barnstable to him and his heires and assignes for ever, viz all the right and interest that hee, the said John Howland, had by the Courts graunt unto severall propriators in Namassakett land, which said graunt beareth date anno Dom 1662, with all and singulare the appurtenances belonging therunto, or to any parte or parsell therof, unto him, the said John Gorum, to him and his heires and assignes for ever." [83] "Letters of adminnestration was graunted vnto Mistris Elizabeth Howland to adminnester on the estate of Mr John Howland, Senior, of Plymouth, late deceased." [84] Elizabeth and her sons-in-law John Chipman and John Gorum [Gorham] signed a bond for the administration John Howland's estate on 5 March. [85]
1686 The
will of Elizabeth Tilley Howland was dated 17 December 1686. "In ye Name of God Amen I Elizabeth Howland of Swanzey in ye County of Bristoll in ye Collony of Plymouth in New Engld being Seventy nine yeares of Age but of good & perfect memory thanks be to Allmighty God & calling to Remembrance ye uncertain Estate of this transitory Life & that all fflesh must Yeild unto Death when it shall please God to call Doe make constitute & ordaine & Declare This my last Will & Testament, in manner & forme following Revoking and Anulling by these prsents all & every Testamt & Testamts Will & Wills heretofore by me made & declared either by Word or Writing And this to be taken only for my last Will & Testament & none other. And first being penitent & sorry from ye bottom of my heart for all my sinns past most humbly desiring forgivenesse for ye same I give & Committ my soule unto Allmighty God my Savior & redeemer in whome & by ye meritts of Jesus Christ I trust & believe assuredly to be saved & to have full remission & forgivenesse of all my sins & that my Soule wt my Body at the generall Day of Resurrection shall rise againe wt Joy & through ye meritts of Christs Death & passion possesse & inheritt ye Kingdome of heaven prepared for his Elect & Chosen & my Body to be buryed in such place where it shall please my Executrs hereafter named to appoint And now for ye settling my temporall Estate & such goodes Chattells & Debts as it hath pleased God far above my Deserts to bestow upon me I Do Dispose order & give ye same in manner & forme following (That is to say) First that after my funerall Expences & Debts paid wc I owe either of right or in Conscience to any manner of person or persons whatsoever in Convenient tyme after my Decease by my Execrs hereafter named I Give & bequeath unto my Eldest Son John Howland ye sum of five pounds to be paid out of my Estate & my Booke called Mr Tindale's Workes & also one pair of sheetes & one pr of pillowbeeres & one pr of Bedblanketts, Item I give unto my son Joseph Howland my Stillyards & also one pr of sheetes & one pr of pillobeeres Item I give unto my son Jabez Howland my ffetherbed & boulster yt is in his Custody & also one Rugg & two Blanketts yt belongeth to ye said Bed & also my great Iron pott & potthookes Item I give unto my son Isaack Howland my Booke called Willson on ye Romanes & one pr of sheetes & one paire of pillowbeeres & also my great Brasse Kettle already in his possession Item I give unto my Son in Law Mr James Browne my great Bible Item I give & bequeath unto my Daughter Lidia Browne my best ffeatherbed & Boulster two pillowes & three Blanketts & a green Rugg & my small Cupboard one pr of AndyIrons & my lesser brasse Kettle & my small Bible & my booke of mr Robbinsons Workes called Observations Divine & Morrall & allso my finest pr of Sheetes & my holland pillowbeeres, Item I give unto my Daughter Elisabeth Dickenson one pr of Sheetes & one pr of pillowbeeres & one Chest Item I give unto my Daughter
Hannah Bosworth one pr of sheets & one pr of pillowbeeres, Item I give unto my Grand Daughter Elizabeth Bursley one paire of sheets and one paire of Pillowbeeres Item I give & bequeath unto my Grandson Nathaniel Howland (the son of Joseph Howland) and to the heires of his owne Body lawfully begotten for ever all that my Lott of Land with ye Meadow thereunto adjoyning & belonging lying in the Township of Duxbury neare Jones River bridge, Item I give unto my Grandson James Browne One Iron barr and on Iron Trammell now in his possession, Item I give unto my Grandson Jabez Browne one Chest Item I give unto my Grand Daughter Dorothy Browne my best Chest & my Warming pan Item I give unto my Grand Daughter Desire Cushman four Sheep, Item I give & bequeath my wearing clothes linnen and Woollen and all the rest of my Estate in mony Debts linnen or of what kind or nature or sort soever it may be unto my three Daughters Elisabeth Dickenson, Lidia Browne and
Hannah Bosworth to be equally Devided amongst them, Item I make constitute and ordaine my loving Son in Law James Browne and my loving son Jabez Howland Executors of this my last Will and Testament, Item it is my Will & Charge to all my Children that they walke in ye Feare of ye Lord, and in Love and peace towards each other and endeavour the true performance of this my last Will & Testament In Witnesse whereof I the said Elizabeth Howland have hereunto sett my hand & seale this seventeenth Day of December Anno Dm one thousand six hundred Eighty & six." The mark of Elisabeth E H Howland. Signed Sealed & Delivd in ye prsence of us Wittnesses: Hugh Cole, Samuel Vyall, John Browne.
1686 In her will, dated 17 December 1686 and proved 10 January 1687/8, "Elizabeth Howland of Swanzey ... being seventy nine years of age" bequeathed to "my eldest son John Howland the sum of £5 ... and my book called Mr. Tindale's Works and also one pair of sheets & one pair of pillowbeers and one pair of bedblankets"; to "my son Joseph Howland my stilliards and also one pair of sheets and one pair of pillowbeers"; to "my son Jabez Howland my featherbed & bolster that is in his custody & also one rug & two blankets that belongeth to the said bed & also my great iron pot & pothooks"; to "my son Isaack Howland my book called Willson on the Romanes & one pair of sheets & one pair of pillowbeers & also my great brass kettle already in his possession"; to "my son-in-law Mr. James Browne my great Bible"; to "my daughter Lidia Browne my best featherbed & boulster two pillows & three blankets & a green rug & my small cupboard one pair of andirons & my lesser brass kettle & my small Bible & my book of Mr. Robbinson's Works called Observations Divine & Moral & also my finest pair of sheets & my holland pillowbeers"; to "my daughter Elisabeth Dickenson one pair of sheets & one pair of pillowbeers & one chest"; to "my daughter
Hannah Bosworth one pair of sheets & one pair of pillowbeers"; to "my granddaughter Elizabeth Bursley one pair of sheets and one pair of pillowbeers"; to "my grandson Nathanael Howland (the son of Joseph Howland) ... my lot of land with the meadow thereto adjoining ... in the township of Duxbury near Jones River Bridge"; to "my grandson James Browne one iron bar and one iron trammell now in his possession"; to "my grandson Jabez Browne one chest"; to "my granddaughter Dorothy Browne my best chest & my warming pan"; to "my granddaughter Desire Cushman four sheep"; "my wearing clothes linen and woollen" and the residue to "my three daughters Elisabeth Dickenson, Lidia Browne and
Hannah Bosworth to be equally divided amongst them"; "my loving son-in-law James Browne and my loving son Jabez Howland" executors [86] [87]
Research Notes:
Elizabeth Pearson White, in John Howland of the Mayflower: Volume 1, The First Five Generations, Documented Descendants Through his first child Desire Howland and her husband Captain John Gorham (Camden, Maine, 1990), "argued that John Howland lived for several years in Maine, and that three of his children were born there. Robert S. Wakefield has gathered the evidence that this could not have been the case." [88]
The Pilgrim Hall Museum document, "John Howland: Mayflower passenger" presents a history of John Howland's life using quoted material from Bradford's history Of Plymouth Plantation, Plymouth Colony Records, Plymouth Church Records, and other contemporary sources. [89]
Footnotes:
[1] William Bradford, Charles Deane, ed., History of Plymouth Plantation (1856), 447, [GoogleBooks].
[2] William Bradford, Worthington C. Ford, ed., History of Plymouth Plantation, Vol. 2 (Massachusetts Historical Society, 1912), 399, [GoogleBooks].
[3] Massachusetts State Archives, List of Mayflower Passengers from Bradford's manuscript, Of Plimoth Plantation, [URL].
[4] William Bradford, Worthington C. Ford, ed., History of Plymouth Plantation, Vol. 1 (Massachusetts Historical Society, 1912), 151, [GoogleBooks].
[5] William Bradford, Samuel Eliot Morrison, ed., Of Plymouth Plantation 1620-1647 (New York: Knopf, 1952), 59, [GoogleBooks].
[6] William Bradford, Charles Deane, ed., History of Plymouth Plantation (1856), 76, [GoogleBooks].
[7] Caleb H. Johnson, ed., Of Plymouth Plantation (Xlibris Corporation, 2006), 109, [GoogleBooks].
[8] William Bradford, Charles Deane, ed., History of Plymouth Plantation (1856), 227, [GoogleBooks].
[9] David Pulsifer, ed., Records of the Colony of New Plymouth, in New England, Deeds. 1620-1651 (Boston: William White, 1861), 4, [HathiTrust], [GoogleBooks].
[10] William Bradford, Charles Deane, ed., History of Plymouth Plantation (1856), 450, [GoogleBooks].
[11] David Pulsifer, ed., Records of the Colony of New Plymouth, in New England, Deeds. 1620-1651 (Boston: William White, 1861), 10, [HathiTrust], [GoogleBooks].
[12] William Bradford, Worthington C. Ford, ed., History of Plymouth Plantation, Vol. 2 (Massachusetts Historical Society, 1912), 10, [GoogleBooks].
[13] David Pulsifer, ed., Records of the Colony of New Plymouth, in New England, Deeds. 1620-1651 (Boston: William White, 1861), 14, [HathiTrust], [GoogleBooks].
[14] William Bradford, Worthington C. Ford, ed., History of Plymouth Plantation, Vol. 2 (Massachusetts Historical Society, 1912), 29, [GoogleBooks].
[15] William Bradford, Worthington C. Ford, ed., History of Plymouth Plantation, Vol. 2 (Massachusetts Historical Society, 1912), 30, [GoogleBooks].
[16] William Bradford, Worthington C. Ford, ed., History of Plymouth Plantation, Vol. 2 (Massachusetts Historical Society, 1912), 37, [GoogleBooks].
[17] Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, ed., Records of the Colony of New Plymouth, in New England, Vol. 1, Court Orders. 1633-1640 (Boston: William White, 1855), 5, [InternetArchive], [HathiTrust].
[18] William Bradford, Charles Deane, ed., History of Plymouth Plantation (1856), 306, [GoogleBooks].
[19] William Bradford, Worthington C. Ford, ed., History of Plymouth Plantation, Vol. 2 (Massachusetts Historical Society, 1912), 157, [GoogleBooks].
[20] Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, ed., Records of the Colony of New Plymouth, in New England, Vol. 1, Court Orders. 1633-1640 (Boston: William White, 1855), 3, [InternetArchive], [HathiTrust].
[21] Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, ed., Records of the Colony of New Plymouth, in New England, Vol. 1, Court Orders. 1633-1640 (Boston: William White, 1855), 9, [InternetArchive], [HathiTrust].
[22] Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, ed., Records of the Colony of New Plymouth, in New England, Vol. 1, Court Orders. 1633-1640 (Boston: William White, 1855), 21, [InternetArchive], [HathiTrust].
[23] William Bradford, Charles Deane, ed., History of Plymouth Plantation (1856), 305, [GoogleBooks].
[24] William Bradford, Worthington C. Ford, ed., History of Plymouth Plantation, Vol. 2 (Massachusetts Historical Society, 1912), 174, [GoogleBooks].
[25] Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, ed., Records of the Colony of New Plymouth, in New England, Vol. 1, Court Orders. 1633-1640 (Boston: William White, 1855), 27, [InternetArchive], [HathiTrust].
[26] William Bradford, Worthington C. Ford, ed., History of Plymouth Plantation, Vol. 2 (Massachusetts Historical Society, 1912), 176, [GoogleBooks].
[27] William Bradford, Worthington C. Ford, ed., History of Plymouth Plantation, Vol. 2 (Massachusetts Historical Society, 1912), 178, [GoogleBooks].
[28] William Bradford, Worthington C. Ford, ed., History of Plymouth Plantation, Vol. 2 (Massachusetts Historical Society, 1912), 179, [GoogleBooks].
[29] Robert Charles Anderson, The Great Migration Begins: Immigrants to New England, 1620-1633 (Boston, Massachusetts: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 1995), 1572, William Reynolds, citing MD 2:10-11, [AmericanAncestors].
[30] Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, ed., Records of the Colony of New Plymouth, in New England, Vol. 1, Court Orders. 1633-1640 (Boston: William White, 1855), 32, [InternetArchive], [HathiTrust].
[31] William Bradford, Worthington C. Ford, ed., History of Plymouth Plantation, Vol. 2 (Massachusetts Historical Society, 1912), 196, [GoogleBooks].
[32] Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, ed., Records of the Colony of New Plymouth, in New England, Vol. 1, Court Orders. 1633-1640 (Boston: William White, 1855), 52, [InternetArchive], [HathiTrust].
[33] Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, ed., Records of the Colony of New Plymouth, in New England, Vol. 1, Court Orders. 1633-1640 (Boston: William White, 1855), 70, [InternetArchive], [HathiTrust].
[34] Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, ed., Records of the Colony of New Plymouth, in New England, Vol. 1, Court Orders. 1633-1640 (Boston: William White, 1855), 70, [InternetArchive], [HathiTrust].
[35] Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, ed., Records of the Colony of New Plymouth, in New England, Vol. 1, Court Orders. 1633-1640 (Boston: William White, 1855), 101, [InternetArchive], [HathiTrust].
[36] Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, ed., Records of the Colony of New Plymouth, in New England, Vol. 1, Court Orders. 1633-1640 (Boston: William White, 1855), 102, [InternetArchive], [HathiTrust].
[37] Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, ed., Records of the Colony of New Plymouth, in New England, Vol. 1, Court Orders. 1633-1640 (Boston: William White, 1855), 110, [InternetArchive], [HathiTrust].
[38] Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, ed., Records of the Colony of New Plymouth, in New England, Vol. 1, Court Orders. 1633-1640 (Boston: William White, 1855), 168, [InternetArchive], [HathiTrust].
[39] Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, ed., Records of the Colony of New Plymouth, in New England, Vol. 1, Court Orders. 1633-1640 (Boston: William White, 1855), 62, [InternetArchive], [HathiTrust].
[40] William Bradford, Worthington C. Ford, ed., History of Plymouth Plantation, Vol. 2 (Massachusetts Historical Society, 1912), 270, [GoogleBooks].
[41] David Pulsifer, ed., Records of the Colony of New Plymouth, in New England, Deeds. 1620-1651 (Boston: William White, 1861), 40, [HathiTrust], [GoogleBooks].
[42] David Pulsifer, ed., Records of the Colony of New Plymouth, in New England, Deeds. 1620-1651 (Boston: William White, 1861), 41, [HathiTrust], [GoogleBooks].
[43] Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, ed., Records of the Colony of New Plymouth, in New England, Vol. 1, Court Orders. 1633-1640 (Boston: William White, 1855), 158, [InternetArchive], [HathiTrust].
[44] Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, ed., Records of the Colony of New Plymouth, in New England, Vol. 1, Court Orders. 1633-1640 (Boston: William White, 1855), 163, [InternetArchive], [HathiTrust].
[45] Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, ed., Records of the Colony of New Plymouth, in New England, Vol. 2, Court Orders. 1641-1651 (Boston: William White, 1855), 16, [InternetArchive], [HathiTrust].
[46] William Bradford, Charles Deane, ed., History of Plymouth Plantation (1856), 379, [GoogleBooks].
[47] William Bradford, Charles Deane, ed., History of Plymouth Plantation (1856), 402, [GoogleBooks].
[48] Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, ed., Records of the Colony of New Plymouth, in New England, Vol. 2, Court Orders. 1641-1651 (Boston: William White, 1855), 49, [InternetArchive], [HathiTrust].
[49] Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, ed., Records of the Colony of New Plymouth, in New England, Vol. 8, Miscellaneous Records. 1633-1689 (Boston: William White, 1857), 173, [HathiTrust], [InternetArchive].
[50] Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, ed., Records of the Colony of New Plymouth, in New England, Vol. 8, Miscellaneous Records. 1633-1689 (Boston: William White, 1857), 187, [HathiTrust], [InternetArchive].
[51] Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, ed., Records of the Colony of New Plymouth, in New England, Vol. 2, Court Orders. 1641-1651 (Boston: William White, 1855), 94, [InternetArchive], [HathiTrust].
[52] Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, ed., Records of the Colony of New Plymouth, in New England, Vol. 2, Court Orders. 1641-1651 (Boston: William White, 1855), 117, [InternetArchive], [HathiTrust].
[53] Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, ed., Records of the Colony of New Plymouth, in New England, Vol. 2, Court Orders. 1641-1651 (Boston: William White, 1855), 123, [InternetArchive], [HathiTrust].
[54] Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, ed., Records of the Colony of New Plymouth, in New England, Vol. 2, Court Orders. 1641-1651 (Boston: William White, 1855), 144, [InternetArchive], [HathiTrust].
[55] Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, ed., Records of the Colony of New Plymouth, in New England, Vol. 2, Court Orders. 1641-1651 (Boston: William White, 1855), 154, [InternetArchive], [HathiTrust].
[56] Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, ed., Records of the Colony of New Plymouth, in New England, Vol. 2, Court Orders. 1641-1651 (Boston: William White, 1855), 158, [InternetArchive], [HathiTrust].
[57] Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, ed., Records of the Colony of New Plymouth, in New England, Vol. 2, Court Orders. 1641-1651 (Boston: William White, 1855), 160, [InternetArchive], [HathiTrust].
[58] Robert Charles Anderson, The Great Migration Begins: Immigrants to New England, 1620-1633 (Boston, Massachusetts: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 1995), 1023, citing Bradford 444, [AmericanAncestors].
[59] Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, ed., Records of the Colony of New Plymouth, in New England, Vol. 2, Court Orders. 1641-1651 (Boston: William White, 1855), 167, [InternetArchive], [HathiTrust].
[60] Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, ed., Records of the Colony of New Plymouth, in New England, Vol. 2, Court Orders. 1641-1651 (Boston: William White, 1855), 177, [InternetArchive], [HathiTrust].
[61] Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, ed., Records of the Colony of New Plymouth, in New England, Vol. 3, Court Orders. 1651-1661 (Boston: William White, 1855), 8, [HathiTrust], [InternetArchive].
[62] Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, ed., Records of the Colony of New Plymouth, in New England, Vol. 3, Court Orders. 1651-1661 (Boston: William White, 1855), 31, [HathiTrust], [InternetArchive].
[63] Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, ed., Records of the Colony of New Plymouth, in New England, Vol. 3, Court Orders. 1651-1661 (Boston: William White, 1855), 44, [HathiTrust], [InternetArchive].
[64] Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, ed., Records of the Colony of New Plymouth, in New England, Vol. 3, Court Orders. 1651-1661 (Boston: William White, 1855), 49, [HathiTrust], [InternetArchive].
[65] Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, ed., Records of the Colony of New Plymouth, in New England, Vol. 3, Court Orders. 1651-1661 (Boston: William White, 1855), 63, [HathiTrust], [InternetArchive].
[66] Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, ed., Records of the Colony of New Plymouth, in New England, Vol. 3, Court Orders. 1651-1661 (Boston: William White, 1855), 79, [HathiTrust], [InternetArchive].
[67] Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, ed., Records of the Colony of New Plymouth, in New England, Vol. 3, Court Orders. 1651-1661 (Boston: William White, 1855), 86, [HathiTrust], [InternetArchive].
[68] Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, ed., Records of the Colony of New Plymouth, in New England, Vol. 3, Court Orders. 1651-1661 (Boston: William White, 1855), 87, [HathiTrust], [InternetArchive].
[69] Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, ed., Records of the Colony of New Plymouth, in New England, Vol. 3, Court Orders. 1651-1661 (Boston: William White, 1855), 99, [HathiTrust], [InternetArchive].
[70] Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, ed., Records of the Colony of New Plymouth, in New England, Vol. 3, Court Orders. 1651-1661 (Boston: William White, 1855), 135, [HathiTrust], [InternetArchive].
[71] Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, ed., Records of the Colony of New Plymouth, in New England, Vol. 3, Court Orders. 1651-1661 (Boston: William White, 1855), 169, [HathiTrust], [InternetArchive].
[72] Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, ed., Records of the Colony of New Plymouth, in New England, Vol. 3, Court Orders. 1651-1661 (Boston: William White, 1855), 170, [HathiTrust], [InternetArchive].
[73] Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, ed., Records of the Colony of New Plymouth, in New England, Vol. 3, Court Orders. 1651-1661 (Boston: William White, 1855), 214, [HathiTrust], [InternetArchive].
[74] Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, ed., Records of the Colony of New Plymouth, in New England, Vol. 4, Court Orders. 1661-1668 (Boston: William White, 1855), 37, [InternetArchive], [HathiTrust].
[75] Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, ed., Records of the Colony of New Plymouth, in New England, Vol. 4, Court Orders. 1661-1668 (Boston: William White, 1855), 91, [InternetArchive], [HathiTrust].
[76] Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, ed., Records of the Colony of New Plymouth, in New England, Vol. 4, Court Orders. 1661-1668 (Boston: William White, 1855), 122, [InternetArchive], [HathiTrust].
[77] Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, ed., Records of the Colony of New Plymouth, in New England, Vol. 4, Court Orders. 1661-1668 (Boston: William White, 1855), 122, [InternetArchive], [HathiTrust].
[78] Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, ed., Records of the Colony of New Plymouth, in New England, Vol. 4, Court Orders. 1661-1668 (Boston: William White, 1855), 131, [InternetArchive], [HathiTrust].
[79] Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, ed., Records of the Colony of New Plymouth, in New England, Vol. 4, Court Orders. 1661-1668 (Boston: William White, 1855), 148, [InternetArchive], [HathiTrust].
[80] Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, ed., Records of the Colony of New Plymouth, in New England, Vol. 5, Court Orders. 1668-1678 (Boston: William White, 1856), 24, [HathiTrust], [InternetArchive].
[81] Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, ed., Records of the Colony of New Plymouth, in New England, Vol. 5, Court Orders. 1668-1678 (Boston: William White, 1856), 274, [HathiTrust], [InternetArchive].
[82] Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, ed., Records of the Colony of New Plymouth, in New England, Vol. 4, Court Orders. 1661-1668 (Boston: William White, 1855), 34, [InternetArchive], [HathiTrust].
[83] Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, ed., Records of the Colony of New Plymouth, in New England, Vol. 5, Court Orders. 1668-1678 (Boston: William White, 1856), 108, of 108-9, [HathiTrust], [InternetArchive].
[84] Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, ed., Records of the Colony of New Plymouth, in New England, Vol. 5, Court Orders. 1668-1678 (Boston: William White, 1856), 110, [HathiTrust], [InternetArchive].
[85] Plymouth County, Massachusetts Estate File 10932, image 766, [FamilySearchImage].
[86] Robert Charles Anderson, The Great Migration Begins: Immigrants to New England, 1620-1633 (Boston, Massachusetts: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 1995), 1021, citing MD 3:54-57, citing BrPR 1:13-14, [AmericanAncestors].
[87] George Ernest Bowman, "Elizabeth (Tilley) Howland's Will," The Mayflower Descendant 3 (1901), 54-57, [InternetArchive].
[88] Robert Charles Anderson, The Great Migration Begins: Immigrants to New England, 1620-1633 (Boston, Massachusetts: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 1995), 1024, citing MD 42:15-16, [AmericanAncestors].
[89] Pilgrim Hall Museum, "John Howland: Mayflower passenger" Beyond the Pilgrim Story, Biographical Information: Wills, Inventories and Other 17th Century Documents, [URL].
John Howland and Elizabeth Tilley: Their Life and Legacy in Plymouth ColonyBy Amie Tennant
August 28, 2022
John Howland
John Howland was born in Fenstanton, Huntingdonshire, England, between about 1592 and 1599. Based on his death date, which is recorded on his headstone and death records in Plymouth, he would have been born in about 1592. Some researchers believe his age at the time of death may have been inflated, which was common. Because Howland was listed as a manservant to John Carver on the Mayflower voyage, he was perhaps a younger man at the time of the voyage, perhaps under the age of 25.
In November 1620, the Mayflower Compact was signed by nearly all the adult male colonists and two indentured servants. One of those indentured servants was
John Howland. His signature on the famous document suggests he was likely an adult and at least 21 years old in 1620.
John Howland’s Voyage on the Mayflower: The One Who Fell Overboard
The separatist Pilgrims had originally planned on sailing to the New World in two ships. The Speedwell proved to be unseaworthy, and many of the passengers were moved to the Mayflower.
There were turbulent seas that autumn, and in one horrible storm, John Howland fell overboard. William Bradford wrote in his book Of Plymouth Plantation about John Howland’s near-death experience: “It pleased God that he [John Howland] caught hold of the topsail halyards which hung overboard and ran out at length. Yet he held his hold (though he was sundry fathoms under water) till he was hauled up by the same rope to the brim of the water, and then with a boat hook and other means got into the ship again and his life saved. And though he was something ill with it, yet he lived many years after and became a profitable member both in church and commonwealth.”
Life at Plymouth
John Howland lived with Mr. and Mrs. John Carver as their manservant. Some have speculated that there was some type of family relationship between Howland and the Carvers, but no proof has been discovered. The first winter at Plymouth was exceptionally difficult. The colonists had landed too far north and too late to plant crops to get through the cold months. Howland and the Carvers, however, lived through the winter.
Unfortunately, Mr. and Mrs. Carver died the following spring [1621]. Because the couple’s children had passed away before the family had left Europe, it is speculated that John Howland inherited the Carver estate.
Elizabeth Tilley
John Howland married Elizabeth Tilley in about 1623. No official record of their marriage has been found, but a division of cattle record from 1627 reveals that the couple had two children by then. Their oldest child, Desire, was recorded as having been born in about 1624, which would likely mean the couple was married the year before.
Elizabeth Tilley was baptized on August 30, 1607, in Henlow, Bedford, England. Prior to 1856, when William Bradford’s "
Of Plymouth Plantation" was discovered, scholars believed Elizabeth to be the adopted daughter of John Carver. However, this was not the case. Elizabeth had traveled on the Mayflower as a 13-year-old girl with her parents, John Tilley and Joan (Hurst) Tilley, and her uncle and aunt, Edward and Ann (or Agnes) Tilley.
Elizabeth’s parents and aunt and uncle all died that first winter, leaving her an orphan. She was then taken in by the Carvers. When the Carvers died in the spring [1621], Elizabeth might have become the ward of John Howland. However, this theory is pure speculation — Elizabeth could have been placed in any household, and there is no evidence that there were any formal wardships for any of the orphaned children.
Elizabeth and John Howland: Children and Family Life
John and Elizabeth Tilley Howland initially built a house on First Street and over time acquired four acres on Watson’s Hill. They also purchased acreage in Duxbury and Rocky Nook (today’s Kingston, Massachusetts). Some of that land is owned by the Pilgrim John Howland Society.
John and Elizabeth raised 10 children:
1. DESIRE, born in about 1624, and married in 1644 to John Gorham.
2. J OHN, born on 24 February 1626 or 1627, and married on 26 October 1651 to Mary Lee.
3. HOPE, born in about 1629, and married by 1647 to John Chipman.
4. ELIZABETH, born in about 1631, and married first on 13 September 1649 to Ephraim Hicks and later, on 10 July 1651, to John Dickerson.
5.
LYDIA, born in about 1633, and married by about 1655 to
James Brown.
6. HANNAH, born in about 1637, and married on 6 July 1661 to Jonathan Bosworth.
7. JOSEPH, born in about 1640, and married on 7 December 1664 to Elizabeth Southworth.
8. JABEZ, born in about 1644, and married by 1669 to Bethiah Thatcher.
9. RUTH, born in about 1646, and married on 17 November 1664 to Thomas Cushman.
10.ISAAC, born on 15 November 1649, and married by 1677 to Elizabeth Vaughn.
John Howland held several prominent positions during his lifetime. He served as a Plymouth colony assistant and deputy for Plymouth to the general court, was in charge of the fur trading post at Kennebec, and was on the fur trade committee.
John Howland died in Plymouth, Massachusetts, on February 23, 1672 or 1673. Elizabeth died at Swansea, Massachusetts on December 21, 1687 or 1688.
Mayflower Descendants: Who’s Who, Part 31 (part 2)?AllBy Melissa Berry January 17, 2023
Introduction: In this article, Melissa Davenport Berry continues her series on Mayflower descendants, focusing on author and historian Edward Rowe Snow writing about Pilgrim John Howland. Melissa is a genealogist who has a blog, AnceStory Archives, and a Facebook group, New England Family Genealogy and History.
Today I continue with my series “Mayflower Descendants: Who’s Who” with another Pilgrim story from Edward Rowe Snow (1902-1982), author and famous “Flying Santa.” Rowe is a descendant of Mayflower passenger Stephen Hopkins. Due to his Mayflower ancestor connection, coupled with his love for history, Snow published several newspaper articles chronicling Plymouth’s early colony.
Here is one from his column “Sea and Shore Gleanings” which ran in the Patriot Ledger, a Quincy, Massachusetts, newspaper. His subject: Pilgrim John Howland.
An article about John Howland, Patriot Ledger newspaper 18 April 1966, Patriot Ledger (Quincy, Massachusetts), 18 April 1966, page 37
In this column, Snow wrote: I have been asked by a reader to tell the story of John Howland, the Mayflower passenger. I am associated with the Howland family in that my ancestor Stephen Hopkins had his home immediately adjoining that of the Howlands in Plymouth on what is now Leyden Street.
When the Mayflower sailed for Plymouth on Sept. 6, 1620, there were 102 passengers aboard. John Howland, during a severe storm, was washed overboard, but by seizing the topsail halyards was rescued from drowning and was given commendation later by William Bradford for being an outstanding member of the group.
Arriving in Plymouth, he built his house between that of Stephen Hopkins, my ancestor, and the residence of Samuel Fuller, who died in 1633. In addition to being a deacon of the church, Samuel Fuller was an outstanding surgeon of the period. He was known as a great help and comfort to the Pilgrims for his ability as a doctor.
Howland’s house was built on First Street, also known as Great Street and Broad Street, and changed to Leyden Street in 1823.
It is believed that John Howland witnessed the first execution in the Plymouth Colony. In 1630, after a bitter quarrel, John Billington, known as one of the “profanest families amongst them” who “shuffled” into the Pilgrim company in some peculiar way, according to Bradford, blew John Newcomen to pieces. Howland and others decided that Billington was guilty of “willful murder.” Billington was sentenced and duly hanged, drawn and quartered.
John Howland’s gravestone, erected by the Hon. John Howland, president of the Rhode Island Historical Society, and a fifth generation descendant, reads: Here ended the Pilgrimage of JOHN HOWLAND and ELIZABETH his wife. She was the dau’tr of Gov. Carver. They arrived in the Mayflower Dec. 1620; they had 4 Sons & 6 dau’trs from whom are descended a numerous posterity. “1672 Feb’y 23d JOHN HOWLAND of Plymouth deceased, he lived to the age of 80 yr’s. He was the last man that was left of those that came over in the Ship called the Mayflower that lived in Plymouth.” (Plymouth Records)
It is recorded above that Mr. Howland married a daughter of Governor Carver, but Bradford, in his History, states that John Howland married Elizabeth, the daughter of John Tillie.
Mr. Howland was a distinguished man, and devoted to the interests of the colony, both in relation to its civil and religious institutions. He was deputy and assistant for several years. His early residence was on Summer Street, but afterwards he moved to Rocky Nook, where he died.
Photo: on the top of the hill at Rocky Nook, now Kingston, Massachusetts, the Pilgrim John Howland Society has erected as a memorial a large block of roughly squared Quincy granite, seven feet high, five feet broad and three feet thick, bearing on one polished surface a finely carved representation of the Mayflower and the inscription: “Here stood the home of JOHN HOWLAND and his wife ELIZABETH TILLEY HOWLAND from 1638 until his death February 23, 1673. Both were passengers in the ship MAYFLOWER. In grateful remembrance this land has been bought by their descendants, and this memorial erected upon the 300th anniversary of their landing at Plymouth, Mass., 1620-1920. Photo courtesy of the Pilgrim John Howland Society.
Photo: on the top of the hill at Rocky Nook, now Kingston, Massachusetts, the Pilgrim John Howland Society has erected as a memorial a large block of roughly squared Quincy granite, seven feet high, five feet broad and three feet thick, bearing on one polished surface a finely carved representation of the Mayflower and the inscription: “Here stood the home of JOHN HOWLAND and his wife ELIZABETH TILLEY HOWLAND from 1638 until his death February 23, 1673. Both were passengers in the ship MAYFLOWER. In grateful remembrance this land has been bought by their descendants, and this memorial erected upon the 300th anniversary of their landing at Plymouth, Mass., 1620-1920. Photo courtesy of the Pilgrim John Howland Society.
The colonial records say, “He was a Godly man and an ancient professor in the ways of Christ, and proved a useful instrument of good in his place.”
John Howland, as a servant of Governor Carver, went with a group in the Mayflower shallop from Provincetown to look over Plymouth Bay, and participated in a skirmish with Indians in which no one was injured. Later the group was nearly shipwrecked and finally landed on Clark’s Island in Plymouth Harbor.
In 1627 a monopoly on the colony’s trade was granted to Bradford, Allerton, and Standish, with the provision that they might choose whatever partners they wished.
John Howland was one, and he was put in charge of the trade for beaver, otter, and other furs with the Abnaki Indians at Augusta, Maine. Mr. Howland did well and the business prospered.
The only town touched by the witch hysteria on the South Shore was Scituate. One or two were tried, but the whole thing was quickly discouraged. The wife of William Holmes, Standish’s lieutenant, was tried on complaint of Dinah Sylvester, before John Howland as presiding magistrate. After questioning her carefully he fined her five pounds and had her whipped. That was the end of witchcraft in the colony.
When he was in charge of the Kennebec trading post, a Captain Hocking from David Thompson’s settlement at Piscataqua moved into the area without permission. Howland and John Alden, his assistant, decided to get Hocking out of the area. When they attempted this, Hocking killed Moses Talbot, of the trading post, and was in turn shot to death. Alden was put in jail in Boston, and the double shooting was investigated. Hocking was blamed for the incident, and the Pilgrims were given “grave & godly exhortations,” after which they were “imbrased with love & thankfulness.” Nevertheless, Howland soon was sent home and never again was entrusted with public office.
Just a note on the grave marker. The one mentioned in this article has since been replaced. You can read all about it at the Pilgrim John Howland Society site.
Photo: The replacement John Howland gravestone which includes the correction that Howland “married Elizabeth, daughter of John Tilley.” Leon H. Abdalian, photographer. Credit: Boston Public Library, courtesy of Digital Commonwealth.
Photo: The replacement John Howland gravestone which includes the correction that Howland “married Elizabeth, daughter of John Tilley.” Leon H. Abdalian, photographer. Credit: Boston Public Library, courtesy of Digital Commonwealth.
Elizabeth Tilley Howland has her own grave marker as well. For more on that visit “Four-part Cable TV series on Elizabeth Howland”
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Note on the header image: Howland House Float in the 2019 parade, Duxbury, Massachusetts. Courtesy of the Pilgrim John Howard Society.
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