Was there a White on the Mayflower?

The Mayflower is one of the most famous ships in American history. It carried the first English Puritans, later known as the Pilgrims, from Plymouth, England, to the New World in 1620. The Mayflower voyage led to the establishment of Plymouth Colony, which played an important role in the early history of America. But who exactly were the passengers on this iconic ship? Was there a White family on board the Mayflower?

That’s a great question! As we dive into the history of the Mayflower voyage, we’ll uncover the passenger list and find out if there was indeed a White family present. We’ll also explore some key facts about the Mayflower itself, life aboard the ship, and the colonization of New England. Let’s set sail on this journey through history!

Table of Contents

The Mayflower Ship

Before looking at her passengers, let’s start with some key facts about the Mayflower itself:

The Mayflower was a three-masted, square-rigged sailing vessel estimated to be about 100 feet long and 25 feet wide.
She was primarily used as a cargo ship, transported wine, textiles, spices, and other goods between England and other European countries.

The Mayflower was rented specifically for the 1620 voyage to America by the English Separatists (Pilgrims).
There were believed to be about 30 crew members aboard the ship.
The captain of the Mayflower was Christopher Jones.

The voyage from England to America took 66 days from September to November 1620.

So in summary, the Mayflower was a typical English cargo ship of her day that was specially hired to take the Pilgrims across the Atlantic. Though small by today’s standards, she would have been an impressive and fairly advanced vessel at the time.

The Mayflower Passengers

Who were the brave souls that boarded the Mayflower seeking religious freedom in an unknown land? Here are some key facts about the Mayflower passenger list:

There were 102 passengers plus around 30 crew members.
The passengers were divided into two main groups: the Separatists (Pilgrims) and the Strangers.
The Separatists numbered about 50 and were religious dissenters seeking to break away from the Church of England.

The Strangers numbered about 50 and were recruited by the merchants funding the voyage to provide labor and craft skills.
In total, there were 29 heads of household, 23 males servants, 3 female servants, and 47 family members.
Well-known Mayflower passengers include William Bradford, William Brewster, Myles Standish, and John and Priscilla Alden.

To answer our initial question – no, there does not appear to have been anyone with the surname White recorded on the Mayflower! The passenger list includes many English surnames familiar to American history like Bradford, Brewster, and Standish. But no Whites.

Life Aboard the Mayflower

What was it like to sail across the Atlantic on the Mayflower? Conditions were extremely cramped and uncomfortable:

Between dogs, goats, poultry and passengers, there were probably more than 150 beings aboard.

The passengers had to provide their own food supplies which had to last 66 days.
Living quarters were cramped with little privacy, and people slept on the open deck or on the cargo below.
Seasickness was widespread on the rough seas.

One person died during the voyage and one child was born.

Here is a table summarizing some key facts about the passengers’ experience aboard the Mayflower:

Experience	Facts
Living Quarters	Extremely cramped – lacked privacy. Many slept among cargo or on deck.
Food	Had to provide own supplies for 2 month journey.
Health	Widespread seasickness due to rough seas.
Sanitation	Very poor. No private toilet facilities.
Passenger Count	102 passengers plus around 30 crew members.

As we can see, the Mayflower passengers endured very difficult conditions while crossing the Atlantic. Living for 2 months in such cramped, unsanitary quarters must have been extremely challenging.

Founding of Plymouth Colony

After finally reaching North America in November 1620, the Mayflower passengers founded Plymouth Colony in what is now Massachusetts. Some key facts about the earliest days of the colony include:

The Pilgrims chose the site of Plymouth Colony because of its protected harbor and fresh water sources.
Around half the settlers died that first winter due to disease, malnutrition, and the harsh weather.

The native Wampanoag tribe provided vital knowledge and support to help the remaining settlers survive.
William Bradford was selected as the first Governor of Plymouth Colony in 1621.
The first Thanksgiving feast was celebrated in 1621 as a harvest celebration.

Establishing the first permanent New England settlement was an immense challenge for the Plymouth colonists. Poor preparation and difficult conditions cost many settlers their lives in that first year. But the colony persevered and eventually grew and prospered.

Plymouth Colony Timeline

Here is a quick timeline of key events in the early history of Plymouth Colony:

Year	Event
1620	Mayflower arrives in New England in November
1620-21	Around half of settlers die the first winter
1621	First Thanksgiving feast with the Wampanoag tribe
1621	William Bradford named Governor
1622	Settlers abandoned early communal system for private property
1627	Colony buys out the Merchants investors
1691	Plymouth Colony merged into the Province of Massachusetts Bay

This helps provide some perspective on the challenges faced in the early years of settlement and how the colony evolved over time.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while there does not appear to have been anyone named White aboard the Mayflower itself, the ship’s passengers played a pivotal role in the colonization of New England. After an incredibly difficult 66 day transatlantic journey, the Pilgrim settlers established Plymouth Colony in 1620. Despite tremendous hardship, loss of life, and uncertain support, they persevered through that first year and went on to found one of the key early English settlements in America. The Mayflower voyage and Plymouth Colony mark an important chapter in the origins of the United States.