Puritan Ancestry

Last week I shared some puritan prayers that I have grown to love through music set to the words.  My grandfather, Roy O. Chaney, was descended from several of the puritans that came on the Mayflower.  I will write more about them later, perhaps, but for now I will just list the ones in his direct line:

• John Alden and his wife, Priscilla Mullins
• Priscilla’s parents, William and Alice Mullins, who died the first winter in Plymouth Colony
• Richard Warren
• Thomas Rogers
• Joseph Rogers

In addition, there are many pilgrims in our family tree, including the families of Eddy, Morton, Phinney.  Some of these were on the Speedwell, the ship that set out with the Mayflower but had to return to Southampton.  Many others came to Plymouth between the years 1620-1630.  I think it’s fascinating to read about their lives and hardships.  I can’t imagine all that the difficulties they endured:

• Persecutions in England drove them to flee to Holland
• Leaving family and country
• Trying to make a living in Holland was very hard
• The long journey to the new country
• Losing more than half the passengers in the first 2-3 winters
• Trying to set up community life in America
• Sickness and death, hunger, loneliness
• Danger of attack from native Americans

I’m thankful for the pilgrims who braved all their hardships with fortitude and courage!

November 30, 2011 | Categories: Christian, Compelling Stories, Death, Family, Genealogy, Grandpa, My Thoughts, Travel, Trials | Tags: Alice Mullins, Ancestry, Genealogy, Grandpa, John Alden, Joseph Rogers, Mayflower, Pilgrims, Priscilla Mullins, Puritans, Richard Warren, Roy O. Chaney, Thomas Rogers, William Mullins | Leave A Comment »