William Bradford (1590-1657)

William Bradford
A conjectural image of Bradford, produced as a postcard in 1904 by A.S. Burbank of Plymouth.
2nd, 5th, 7th, 9th & 12th Governor of Plymouth Colony
In office 1621–1657
Personal details
Born	ca. 19 March 1590 Austerfield, West Riding of Yorkshire, England
Died	May 9, 1657(1657-05-09) (aged 67) Plymouth Colony
Spouse(s)	Dorothy May Alice (Carpenter) Southworth
Children	4
Occupation	weaver, settler
Profession	Colonial Governor, Judge
Portfolio	treasurer, chief magistrate
Religion	Puritan
Signature

William Bradford (c. 19 March 1590 – May 9, 1657) was an English Separatist originally from the West Riding of Yorkshire, who later moved to Leiden in Holland, and then in 1620 migrated to the Plymouth Colony on the Mayflower. He was a signatory to the Mayflower Compact and went on to serve as Governor of the Plymouth Colony intermittently for about thirty years between 1621 and 1657. His journal Of Plimoth Plantation covered the years from 1620 to 1657 in Plymouth.

William Bradford was born to Alice and William Bradford in Austerfield, West Riding of Yorkshire, being baptized on March 19, 1589/90. In a time when most of their countrymen were farmers of modest means, the Bradford family possessed a large farm and were considered wealthy and influential.

According to surgeon and historical researcher George J. Hill, Bradford's grandfather was William Bradforthe who had at least four children, including Bradford's father, and was probably of noble ancestry.

Bradford's childhood was marked by numerous deaths in the family. He was just over a year old when his father died. When he was four years old, his mother remarried, and Bradford was sent to live with his grandfather. Two years later, his grandfather died, and he returned to live with his mother and stepfather. A year later, in 1597, his mother died. Bradford thus became an orphan at the age of seven and was sent to live with two uncles.

His uncles wanted young Bradford to help on the farm, and he later noted in his journal that he suffered at that time from a "long sickness" and was unable to work. He instead turned to reading. He became familiar with the Bible and classic works of literature. This, too, is seen by some as a key factor in his intellectual curiosity and his eventual attraction to the Separatist Church.

When Bradford was twelve years old a young friend invited him to hear the Rev Richard Clyfton preach ten miles away in All Saints' Church that is located in Babworth. Clyfton was a minister who believed that the Church of England ought to institute strict reforms to eliminate all vestiges of Roman Catholic practices. Proponents believed that this would result in a purer Christian church. Bradford was inspired by Clyfton’s preachings and continued to attend his sermons, even though he was forbidden by his uncles.