John Alden

A Plymouth Pioneer

A special note: Devon’s father has relatives decedents of John Alden who was a ship’s crew member on the Mayflower!  And....

John Alden was one of the original Pilgrims who arrived in America aboard the Mayflower in 1620. He played a significant role in the early history of Plymouth Colony and is remembered for his leadership, his family’s legacy, and his involvement in the early government of the colony. Here's an overview of his life:

Early Life and Journey on the Mayflower

Birth: John Alden was born in 1599 in England, though his exact birthplace is uncertain. Some sources suggest he was from the village of Harwich in Essex.

Mayflower Voyage: Alden was not originally a Pilgrim seeking religious freedom but a cooper (barrel-maker) hired by the Mayflower to maintain the ship’s barrels of food and supplies. However, after arriving in the New World, he chose to stay and became one of the founders of Plymouth Colony.

Role in Plymouth Colony

Pilgrim Leader: Alden signed the Mayflower Compact, the first governing document of Plymouth Colony, which established a framework for self-government among the settlers.

Marriage: Alden married Priscilla Mullins, another Mayflower passenger, who also has a notable place in Pilgrim history. According to some accounts, their courtship inspired the famous poem, “The Courtship of Miles Standish” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (a descendant of the Aldens), though it’s more legend than fact.

Family: Together, John and Priscilla had 10 children, and many of their descendants went on to become prominent figures in American history, including President John Adams and poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

Alden's Role in Colonial Governance

Public Service: John Alden served in various leadership roles in Plymouth Colony. He was an Assistant to the Governor of the colony for many years and represented Plymouth as a deputy in the colony’s legislature.

Plymouth Council of War: Alden was also a member of the Council of War, which managed the defense of the colony during times of conflict with Native Americans and other colonial powers.

Descendants of John Alden

The Alden House Historic Site

Duxbury, Massachusetts: John Alden and Priscilla moved to Duxbury sometime in the 1630s, where they built a home. Today, the Alden House Historic Site, located in Duxbury, is a museum dedicated to their family’s history and offers a glimpse into the life of early settlers in New England. The house was passed down through the Alden family for generations and is one of the oldest homes in America still in existence.

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Legacy and Influence

Descendants: John Alden’s descendants have played an influential role in American history, as mentioned earlier, with notable figures in politics, literature, and law.

Reputation: Alden is often remembered as a hardworking, steadfast leader within the Pilgrim community. Though he didn’t originally set out to be part of the Plymouth Colony, he became one of its most enduring and respected members.

John Alden's story is emblematic of the perseverance and adaptability of the early settlers who helped shape the foundations of the United States. His legacy lives on not just in historical records, but in the generations of Americans who trace their ancestry back to him and Priscilla.

Could You Be Related to John Alden?

The idea that many Americans are descendants of John Alden is largely due to the sheer number of descendants he and his wife, Priscilla Mullins, had over the centuries. Here’s why so many people today can trace their lineage back to him:

1. John and Priscilla Had a Large Family

John Alden and Priscilla Mullins had 10 children, most of whom survived to adulthood and had children of their own. In a time when large families were common, each of these children also had large families, resulting in many descendants. Over the centuries, these descendants spread out across the country and continued to have children, creating a vast family tree.

2. Generational Exponential Growth

As each generation passed, the number of descendants grew exponentially. If one family has 10 children, and those children each have 10 more, the family tree multiplies quickly. After several generations, a single family line can easily grow into the thousands, especially over four centuries, as is the case with John Alden’s descendants.

Five Smiling Fish

3. Migration and Intermarriage

Since the Alden family has been in America since 1620, their descendants have had hundreds of years to move across the country, marry into other families, and continue their lineage. Intermarriage with other families over time means that many people who aren't directly descended from John Alden can still be distantly related to his descendants.

4. Early Colonial Prominence

John Alden and other early Pilgrims were among the first European settlers in America, and their descendants were often prominent in early American society. Alden's descendants intermarried with other prominent colonial families, further spreading his lineage into different regions and social classes. His descendants include influential figures like John Adams, the second president of the United States, and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, a famous poet.

5. Historical Research and Ancestry Tracking

Because Alden was a well-documented figure from the Mayflower, many people have researched their family trees to see if they have connections to him. The popularity of researching ancestry, especially with tools like Ancestry.com or 23andMe, has also contributed to the widespread realization of this shared heritage.

6. Mayflower Society

The General Society of Mayflower Descendants (commonly known as the Mayflower Society) has long kept track of documented descendants of the original Pilgrims. Many families take pride in tracing their lineage back to the Mayflower, and John Alden’s line is one of the most researched and connected because of his numerous descendants.

While it may sound surprising, given the exponential growth of descendants, many Americans (especially those with long-standing New England roots) can trace their ancestry back to someone like John Alden. His large family and the time elapsed since 1620 means that his bloodline has spread widely, making him an ancestor to many Americans today.