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William Bradford of Plymouth

Chapter 8: INDEX
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About This Book

The biography traces the subject's life from rural childhood in northern England through religious separation and emigration, recounting his role among the Pilgrims, the Atlantic crossing and the settlement's early trials. It emphasizes his long tenure as governor, detailing administrative decisions, relations with Indigenous peoples, and efforts to establish legal, economic, and communal institutions. The final sections evaluate his later years, personal character, and recorded memoirs that shaped later perceptions. The book balances intimate personal details with colonial history while limiting broader political narrative to focus on individual leadership and moral example.

"From my years young in days of youth,
God did make known to me his truth,
And call'd me from my native place
For to enjoy the means of grace.
In wilderness he did me guide,
And in strange lands for me provide.
In fears and wants, through weal and woe,
A pilgrim, past I to and fro;
Oft left of them whom I did trust;
How vain it is to rest on dust!

Wars, wants, peace, plenty, have I known;
And some advanc'd, others thrown down.

When fears and sorrows have been mixt,
Consolations came betwixt."

And thus, foreseeing his taking away, he gave his blessing:

"Farewell, dear children whom I love,
Your better Father is above:
When I am gone, he can supply;
To him I leave you when I die.
Fear him in truth, walk in his ways,
And he will bless you all your days.
My days are spent, old age is come,
My strength it fails, my glass near run:
Now I will wait, when work is done,
Until my happy change shall come,
When from my labours I shall rest,
With Christ above for to be blest."


INDEX

Ancestors, 17, 18

Auditor, 92


Baptism, 12

Birth, 12

Burial, 106


Capability, 20, 42, 92, 105

Carefulness, 12, 64, 69, 104

Character in general, 42, 104

Chief Justice, 92

Commissioner, United Colonies, 90

Correspondence, 43, 44, 81, 104

Courage, 21, 41, 43, 51, 76

Craftsman, 22, 24


Death, 100, 106

Deputy Governor, 42

Diplomacy, 43, 80

Discernment, 54, 68

Discipline, 42, 48


Education, 20, 22

Escapes, 21, 35, 38


Family, 59

Farmer, 97

"First Great American," 104


Governor
Administration characterized, 42
First term, 41
Returned, 42, 95

Gratitude, 27, 48, 80, 107

Guardian, 97


Historian, 58, 101

Hospitality, 52, 63, 67, 97

Humility, 5, 11, 25, 42, 43, 62, 81, 95, 101


Illnesses
In childhood, 18
In maturity, 38, 41
Final, 100, 106


Judgment, 25–6, 46, 49, 53

Justice, 43, 44, 57, 69, 72, 83, 85, 96


Legislator, 92

Library, 100


Marriage
First, 12, 24
Second, 59

Mercy, 43, 63, 68


Patentee, 79, 90, 95

Pedestrian, 20, 48

Perseverance, 21, 76

Piety, 12, 21, 61, 48, 80, 87–8, 101, 106, 107

President, United Colonies, 90

Property, 18, 23, 98

Provider, 47, 52


Registrar, 92


Speaker of the General Court, 92, 106

Thanksgiving Day, first formal appointment, 48

Trader, 47, 76, 79

Toleration, 70, 96


Verses, 100, 107

Will, 100

Transcriber's Note:

Spelling and dialect has been retained as in the original publication, except as follows:

Page 16
Ccrooby gathered awhile in a stone
Scrooby gathered awhile in a stone

Page 21
from his pious inclinations
from his pious inclinations"

Page 29
Reynold's ship sprang a leak
Reynolds' ship sprang a leak

Page 38
village was laid out Januuary
village was laid out January