WILLIAM BRADFORD OF PLYMOUTH BY ALBERT H. PLUMB BOSTON RICHARD G. BADGER THE GORHAM PRESS Copyright, 1920, by Richard G. Badger All Rights Reserved Made in the United States of America The Gorham Press, Boston, U. S. A. TO ALL DESCENDANTS OF WILLIAM BRADFORD AND TO ALL WHO ADMIRE THIS LEADER OF NEW ENGLAND'S FOUNDERS THIS CONCISE AND UNPRETENTIOUS RECORD OF HIS LIFE AND ACTS IS DEDICATED IN THE HOPE THAT BY HIS EXAMPLE WE MAY BE INSPIRED AND STRENGTHENED, THE BETTER TO DO OUR OWN PART IN NOBLE L

It is a pleasing task to record afresh the life course of one of those whom the poet Whittier characterized as "the noblest ancestry that ever a people looked back to with love and reverence." The leading authorities, particularly the Pilgrim narrators themselves and those more nearly contemporary with them, have contributed to this biography. Though early Plymouth events and the career of Bradford are inseparably connected, the colonial history is here limited and made subservient to the person

J. Bowring. THE world has nothing more worthy of our regard than its unconscious heroes. Though many can discern their own true importance, a peculiar charm invests such as do not realize it, even if they are told. They seem to think others would have done better in their place, and they lightly estimate their services, at less than their fellow-men accredit them. His ideal of duty captivates the doer more than his own agency therein. The noblest men are made by the contemplation of their models

The best inheritance they have left us is the New England conscience. The Puritan's habit of self-examination and prayer has left its impress on the habit of thought of the great nation that has risen where he showed the way. Governor Guild of Massachusetts, at the four hundredth anniversary of the birth of Calvin, in Geneva, Switzerland, July 9, 1909. Religious faith must ever be the motive power of humanity, and whatever might become of despotism, with or without, it is absolutely essential to

They are dead, God rest their souls, but their lives are still the strength of ours.... Let us stand aside in silent veneration of their heroic characters and achievements, and thank God who strengthened them for labors we cannot even comprehend. Jane G. Austin , in "Standish of Standish." All great & honorable actions are accompanied with great difficulties, and must be enterprised and overcome with answerable courages. William Bradford. THE new executive was still handicapped by the we

In thanking God for the mercies extended to us in the past, we beseech Him that He may not withhold them in the future, and that our hearts may be roused to war steadfastly for good and against all the forces of evil, public and private. We pray for strength and light, so that in the coming days we may with cleanliness, fearlessness and wisdom do our allotted work on the earth. Theodore N. Roosevelt , in National Thanksgiving Proclamation . It is much better to keepe a good conscience and have y

I venture the prophecy that for countless years to come and to untold thousands these mute pages shall eloquently speak of high resolve, great suffering and heroic endurance made possible by an absolute faith in the over-ruling providence of Almighty God. Governor Roger Wolcott of Massachusetts, at the Bradford History Presentation, May 26, 1897. Quae patres difficillime adepti sunt nolite turpiter relinquere. ( What the Fathers with greatest difficulty effected do not basely abandon. ) Inscript