John ALDEN

Other Events and Attributes:

• Birth: 1599, England
• Death: 12 Sep 1687, Duxbury
• Fact: 13 Jun 1688, Settlement of Estate

Notes:

Excerpt from Connecticut, 1600s-1800s Local Families and Histories: "John Alden, immigrant ancestor, was born in England in 1599. He joined the Pilgrims on the "Mayflower" at Southampton as the ship was on its way to America. When the ship stopped there for supplies, he was hired as cooper. He had not been with them at Leyden, and was probably not a member of the independent church, but soon joined. He cast his fortunes with the Pilgrims, after enduring the hardships of that first terrible winter at Plymouth, when so many died. He was doubtless influenced in this decision by his love for Priscilla Mullens, th story of which, with some embellishments, is told in the " Courtship of Miles Standish." She was the daughter of William Mullens, who came on the "Mayflower" with his family. John an Priscella were married in the spring of 1621. When the common property of the cololy was divided in 1627, Alden went with Captain Standish, Elder Brewster, John Howland, Francis Eaton and Peter Brown, to Mattakeeset, the Indian name of the territory now included in Duxbury, Marshfield, Pembroke, Hanson and Bridgewater, Massachusetts. For several years they were obliged to return to Plymouth during the winer season to combine all their forces against the possible Indian attacks. The residence at Plymouth in the winter also gave them an opportunity to attend worship, and the records show a written agreement of Alden and others in 1632 to remove their families to Plymouth in the winter. In 1633 Alden was appiointed assistant to the governor, an office which he held for nearly the whole of the remainder of his life, serving with Edward Winslow, Josiah Winslow, Bradford, Prince and Thomas Hinckley. From 1666 until his death, he held the office of first assistant, was often called the deputy governor, and was many times acting governor in the absence of the governor. From 1640 to 1650 he was also deputy to the colonial council from Duxbury...... He was one of the council of war, many times an arbitrator, a surveyor of lands for the government as well as for individuals, and on several important occasions was authorized to act as agent or attorney for the colony. He was possessed of a sound judgment and of talents which, though not brilliant, were by no means ordinary........

John married Priscilla MULLINS in 1621. Priscilla (daughter of William MULLINS and Alice ?) was born about 1602; died between 01 Dec 1680 and 12 Sep 1687 in Duxbury. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Priscilla ALDEN
2. Capt John ALDEN was born in 1622 in Plymouth, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA; died between 14 Mar 1701 and 1702 in Boston, Mass..
3. Joseph ALDEN was born after 22 May 1627 in Plymouth or Duxbury, Massachusetts; died on 08 Feb 1696/7 in Bridgewater, Plymouth Co., Massachusetts.
4. Elizabeth ALDEN was born about 1624/5 in Plymouth, Massachusetts; died on 31 May 1717 in Little Compton, Rhode Island.
5. Jonathan ALDEN was born about 1627; died between 14 Feb 1696 and 1697 in Duxbury, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA.
6. Sarah ALDEN was born about 1629; died before 13 Jun 1688.
7. David ALDEN was born about 1646; died between 05 Jun 1718 and 01 Apr 1719 in Duxbury, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA.
8. Ruth ALDEN was born in 1634/5; died on 12 Oct 1674 in Braintree, Norfolk County, Massachusetts.
9. Rebecca ALDEN was born before 1649 in Duxbury, Plymouth Co., Massachusetts; died after 12 Jun 1696 in Duxbury, Plymouth County, Massachusetts.
10. Mary ALDEN