The women of the Mayflower and women of Plymouth colony

by Ethel J. R. C. Noyes

Descendants of the women of Plymouth are now estimated to number more than a million. It is for them especially to rejoice in the results of artist’s brush, writer’s pen or sculptor’s tool that have been produced in efforts to recall to all the world that epoch in its history in which these women lived, by portraying the events of which they were a part.

Thus we have such pictures as Jacob and Albert Cuyp’s painting of the “Departure of the Pilgrims from Delfshaven.” J. G. Schwartz’s picture of “The Pilgrim Fathers’ First Meeting for Public Worship in North America.” “The Embarkation of the Pilgrim Fathers,” painted by Charles W. Cope, hangs in the British House of Parliament. “The Sailing of the Mayflower,” a painting in the audit house, Southampton, England—no more appropriate setting could be found for that portrayal. Charles Lucy has called his picture “Departure of the Pilgrims,” it is in Pilgrim Hall, Plymouth—that Memorial temple. Robert W. Wier’s painting of “Embarkation of the Pilgrims” hangs in the nation’s Capitol, while Edgar Parker’s copy of it is in Pilgrim Hall. A. Gisbert has given us his idea of the “Landing of the Pilgrim Fathers at Plymouth Rock,” and the “Landing of the Pilgrim Fathers” is the title taken by Henry Sargent. “The Mayflower in Plymouth Harbor,” is portrayed by W. F. Halsall, and Granville Perkins has visualized “The Mayflower at Sea,” while Linton has engraved this subject. George H. Boughton has made charming and familiar reproductions of the Pilgrim men and women, and many another artist’s ideal has been depicted in the variations of the subject.

Fiction, verse and chronicle with the themes of the voyage and the Plymouth home of the Pilgrims have been produced by many able pens. Skillful historians, essayists, orators have done justice to the men; the events entering into their lives, the courage and valor which each day brought forth, have been recorded with emphasis and unflagging zeal. We are indeed glad and appreciative of the constant narration of the facts with which we have become familiar. At the same time, the regret comes to us that of the women so little has been said; that the balance of the two groups of the colony builders has not been better kept.

Of the Fathers we are accustomed to hear, but our gratitude salutes those who occasionally mention the Mothers and Daughters. They were two characteristic notes in the making of that Pilgrim score but because the latter was more lightly struck it has been too lightly regarded. Nevertheless, we rejoice that we know as much as we do of the women, and in the knowledge that increasing recognition is being given them.

Recently a plan was made that a chime of bells should be placed in the tower of the Pilgrim Monument at Provincetown and dedicated to the Women of the Mayflower by their descendants. More recently still, Henry H. Kitson has modeled a statue of a Pilgrim Woman for erection at Plymouth, in their memory. We may recall here the noble monument erected by the nation to the Pilgrims. In this design a woman is the exalted figure who holds the book and gazes over the sea. Also of the four important though lesser figures, two are women. Hon. John D. Long has said of the heroic figure, “Her eyes look toward the sea. Forever she beholds upon its waves the incoming “Mayflower,” she sees the Pilgrims land. They vanish, but she, the monument of their faith remains and tells their story to the world,” which, as another has said, “in romance of circumstance and charm of personal heroism ... is pre-eminent.”

Well may be seen the qualities of heart and mind reproduced in countless of their descendants who have carried on the influence of their personality and work, deepening its roots down through the years. “The light they kindled has shone to many, in some degree to our whole nation.” In proof of this is a relation of some who have claimed descent from a Pilgrim of the Mayflower or of Plymouth. This will comprise Presidents of the United States, presidents of universities or colleges, jurists, diplomats, writers, artists, military and naval men of all our wars, governors of states, church dignitaries, physicians, scientists, senators, representatives, signers of the Declaration of Independence, makers of the Constitution. It is difficult to begin, more so to pause, in such a list.

Annie A. Haxtun has said of one to be mentioned, “John Tilly’s spirit of adventure has fallen upon one, at least of his descendants, General A. W. Greely, the Arctic explorer, watched over by the God of his Pilgrim forefathers, was saved by the naval relief expedition to do good to the country, which is his on a claim of more than two centuries.” It is John and Hope Chipman, daughter of John and Elizabeth Tilly Howland, who are also ancestors of General Greely; and it may here be said that it is partly through his suggestion that the subject of this work was projected (in the smaller form of its first appearance); the other descendant likewise responsible was Mr. William Lowrie Marsh, of Washington, D. C., founder of the Society of Mayflower Descendants in that city; the ancestors of Mr. Marsh were William and Alice Bradford.

John and Priscilla Alden, William and Mary Brewster, Richard and Elizabeth Warren and Francis and Hester Cooke have as their descendants those who have been Presidents of the Republic: John Adams and John Quincy Adams, Zachary Taylor, Ulysses Simpson Grant and William Howard Taft. Also from the Aldens have descended President Wheelock of Dartmouth College and President Kirkland of Harvard.

Bishop Soule of the Methodist Church is in line of descent from George Soule and his wife.

Descendants of Giles Hopkins and Catherine Wheeldon have added distinction to the family. Stephen Hopkins, great grandson of the original, again made the name famous by placing it among the signers of the Declaration of Independence, while his brother, Ezekiel, became the first admiral of our national navy. At the present time it is important through Colonel Thomas S. Hopkins, a veteran of the Civil War, past Governor-General of the General Society of Mayflower Descendants and a prominent lawyer and resident of Washington, D. C.