Of Plymouth Plantation, 1620-1647

In the spring of 1643, William Brewster dies. Although Brewster's passing is peaceful, the death nevertheless marks a sad turning point for Plymouth, since Brewster was a highly respected founding member of the colony. Bradford honors Brewster by summarizing his life history, which includes studies at Cambridge and an early career as the assistant to the Secretary of State. Brewster later spent several years living in the English countryside, where he furthered Christian teachings and actively resisted the "tyranny of the bishops against godly preachers and people" (200). He then moved to Holland, where he was eventually able to achieve financial security through hard work and patience. Nevertheless, Brewster gave up this comfortable life to come to America, where he "[bore] his burden with the rest" (208), sharing in the initial poverty and acting as an interim minister. Finally, Bradford offers a short portrait of Brewster, describing him as a compassionate, honest, and devout man.

Brewster's age of eighty at the time of his death leads Bradford to remark on the fact that so many of the Pilgrims successfully weathered physical hardship and disease in order to grow old. Bradford suggests that this is God's work, noting that many holy figures in the Bible lived long lives: "God, it seems, would have all men behold and observe such mercies and works of His providence as towards His people, that they in like cases might be encouraged to depend upon God in their trials" (209-10).