Leadership

LEADERSHIP IN PLYMOUTH COLONY

"Their government is after the English form. The Governor has his Council, which is chosen every year by the entire community, by election."

Isaack de Rasieres, 1628

Church and state were governed separately in Plymouth Colony. The Governor and his Assistants, presided over the General Court. Originally, the Court consisted of the "freemen," who voted on laws and tried court cases. After 1639 each town sent representatives to the Court.

WILLIAM BRADFORD
1590-1657

William Bradford, born in Austerfield in 1590, joined the original Scrooby congregation as a teenager. After spending 12 years in Holland with the Separatist community, he sailed to America on the Mayflower.
In 1621, Bradford was elected Governor of Plymouth Colony. He held that position for most of the remaining 36 years of his life.

William Bradford
by Cyrus Dallin
Bradford's wisdom, stamina and vision were large factors in the success of the Colony.

Bradford was Plymouth Colony's historian. His manuscript, "Of Plymouth Plantation," is the most complete authority for the story of the Pilgrims and the early years of the Colony.

Click HERE for more information about William Bradford
Click HERE for a list of leaders : Governors of Plymouth Colony and Native leaders of the Plymouth area.

Religious matters were the responsibility of the church leaders. The Plymouth church had no regular minister until the 1630s. In the early years, Elder William Brewster led the church.

Click HERE for information on Elder William Brewster.

Click HERE for information on Deacon Samuel Fuller.

Detail (William Brewster) from The First Thanksgiving by Jennie A. Brownscombe

The military muster was supervised by Captain Myles Standish. Every able-bodied man between 16 and 60 was required to serve in the militia. Although Plymouth had a treaty with several Wampanoag communities, the Narragansett and the Massachusett were still a threats.