(9550) Brewster came to Scrooby in 1571 with his father and mother. He entereded Cambridge University in 1580, though he did not take a degree and perhaps stayed only a few months. In 1583 he became a member of the household of William Davidson, then important in administrative and diplomatic life at the court of Elizabeth. Becoming one of Davidson's trusted retainers, Brewster accompanied him on missions to the Netherlands in 1584 and in 1585-86. Despite the disgrace of Davison in 1587 as a result of his part in the execution of Mary Stuart, and his consequent retirement from public life, William remained in his service until news of his father's illness caused his return to Scrooby in 1589. (9550) William served as his father's deputy until the latter's death in 1590 and then was himself appointed to the positions of baliff and postmaster, retaining both until the exodus to Holland. Gradually he became the protector and then the principal member of a little congregation of Puritans, gathered from Scrooby and the near-by villages. They did not "separate" from the Established Church until the autumn of 1606, the year before John Robinson joined them. After some investigation of their proceedings by the High Commission of York, they decided to leave England, emigrating to Amsterdam, Holland in 1608. It was in Holland that they became known as Pilgrims.

Meeting with opposition in Amsterdam, they settled at Leyden in 1609. Here, if not earlier, Brewster became elder and teacher of the church. To earn a living, he printed of Puritan books, wirtten by the leaders in England, and shipped back to them for sale and distribution. In 1617 the plan for emigration to America took him and others to England where he interviewed officers of the Virginia Company and various royal officials to secure permission to colonize and obtain a grant of land. He was probably the principal envoy.

Returning to Leyden, (9550) Brewster printed in 1618 or 1619 a book which gave great offense to James I. Of this the English government complained to the Dutch authorities in 1619 with such effect that William felt it wiser to discontinue the press altogether and return with his family to England, where he seems to have lived unmolested until the Mayflower sailed in 1620. He played no part in the final steps at Leyden for the emigration to America and was not present when the decision was reached, that the majority should remain at Leyden with Robinson their minister, while the minority should attempt the venture, led by Brewster. It also seems probable that he played no important part in organizing the company which sailed for America direct from England, being fearful of royal interference with his own emigration. He embarked on the Mayflower at London with his wife, two sons, and two boys "bound out" to him.

At Plymouth, Brewster was the only church officer until 1629, but held services of prayer and praise only; he expounded the Scripture at length, but was forbidden by the rules to preach, baptize, or celebrate the communion. Though he was therefore never a minister in the Pilgrim sense of the word and though they "called" Smith, Roger Williams, Chauncey, and Reynor as their ministers later, he remained throughout his life the real leader of the church at Plymouth and the man chiefly responsible for its doctrines, observances, and worship. Administrative position was foreclosed to him by his position in the church but he was active in counsel and played a part second only to Bradford in all decisions, great and small. He became one of the Undertakers in 1627 who assumed the Pilgrim indebtedness.

Brewster 's library proves him to have been read in history, philosophy, and religious poetry and shows that he continued to buy books throughout his life. We have no idea of his personal appearance but we do know from the inventory of his property that he wore a violet colored cloth coat, black silk stockings, a ruff, and other clothing, of impeccable modesty, but less severe than the popular tradition attributes to the Pilgrims. Social life at Plymouth was undoubtedly quiet in the extreme but in it Brewster played a very important part, being, says Bradford, "of a very cherful Spirite, very sociable and pleasante amongst his friends." He died possessed of a house, lands, cattle, and personal property worth 107 pounds.

SRC:Mayflower Descendant, Vol's. III, IV; Proceedings of the Massachusetts Historical Society 2nd ser., III, 261-74; V, 37-85, etc.

The maidename and parentage of William Brewster's wife are unknown and unproven. In fact, it is really not known whether (9551) Mary of the Mayflower was his first and only wife and mother of his children, or if she was a second wife. As to her identity, a number of theories exist. The most popular of all the theories, well liked by descendants due to the very distinguished nobility, is that she is Mary 9551, who had been a neighbor of William. This is also one of the most credible theories, but is not proven. It was advanced by John G. Hunt, of Bowling Green, VA but he later abandoned the 9551 theory in favor of Mary Wyrall of Loversall (near Doncaster), dau. of Thomas and Frences (Mallory) Wyrall in his 1984 booklet, "Of Mary Brewster", wherein he also elaborates Mary Wyrall's gentile ancestry, also containing royalty. This is also cited in Terry & Harding, "A Notebook on the Descendants of Elder William Brewster of Plymouth Colony". Other theories have also been proposed.

If Mary of the Mayflower were his second wife, the following marriage records are possible (Banks' English Ancestry p.35-9). 1. William Brewster and Mary Welles, June 21, 1599 at St. Mary Woolchurch, London. 2. William Bruster and Mary Scrobs Jan 24, 1604 in Stoke Bruern, Northants. 3. William Brewster and Mary Morden December 22, 1608 at St. Peter Eastgate, Lincoln. What is known is that his wife was named "Mary", was born Abt 1569, d. at Plymouth on 27 Apr 1627, and was probably from Scrooby.

REF: Cathy (Malfaedor@@aol.com) SRC: "Pedigrees of Some of the Emperor Charlemagne's Descendants, Vol 2", compiled by Aileen Lewers Langston and J. Orton Buck, Jr.

Historians have wondered how more than 100 passengers of the "Mayflower" found sleeping space. Some have guessed that if the officers gave up most of their space, perhaps 54 parents and children could sleep in tiers of double bunks there. Single men and boys could bed down on hammocks between decks. Nobody had privacy. There were no sanitary facilities. Fresh water was too scarce for washing, and the stench in the quarters must have been offensive... Because of the weather, building [homes] did not commence until December 25th, and several months went by before the settlers could all permanently leave the ship. In the meantime many of the deaths occurred, mostly from sickness... Fifty-one died the first season.

-- http://www.familytreemaker.com/users/b/r/a/Kathryn-E-Bradley/GENE4-0040.html