William Palmer Senior
the Oldest Confirmed Ancestor in our Palmer Line -
Before the Mayflower could sail, the voyage had to be funded. The 102 passengers could not afford the costs. William Palmer was one of the 8 people who helped pay for the journey. Later, these men were known as "The Purchasers." William Palmer would later receive 3200 acres of land in the New World because he was a purchaser.
The Mayflower arrived December 20, 1620. The next year, on November 16, 1621, William Palmer arrived aboard the Fortune, the second ship to reach the colony. This would have been shortly after the celebrated feasting or "first Thanksgiving" that the pilgrims and indians enjoyed together.
William was a nailer, a person who makes nails. The Fortune's logbook included the passengers' inventories, or things they packed with them on the ship. His belongings included bellows, an anvil, a vice, and all the other items used for nail making. William also brought with him a Bible and a book called The Practise of Christianity. Most importantly, William brought his 12 year old son, William Palmer, Jr.
William's wife, Francis arrived in Plymouth Colony the following year on the third ship, the Anne. For being a passenger, she would later receive an acre of land.
William was not just a nailer; he was also a trader. He traded beaver skins and other furs and hides. He was considered a saint along with his father in law.
William's wife, Francis arrived in Plymouth Colony the following year on the third ship, the Anne. For being a passenger, she would later receive an acre of land.
As was customary at the time, an inventory was taken of William's belongings after his death. Some of things were:
1 feather bolster and pillow, 1 red rug, 1 yellow rug, 1 pair of flaxen sheets, 2 pairs of hemp sheets, 3 old tablecloths, 1 Bible, 2 iron pots, 2 frying pans, 2 candle sticks, drinking cups, 2 tin pots, 2 stone jugs, 2 sacks, 1 bag, 1 padlock, anvil, 1 hammer, 2 cows, 6 hens, 1 cock, 15 chickens, and hay for the cows.
Sources:
Nice narratives. Thank you! Just wanted to point out that there is a repeated paragraph in the narrative for William Palmer Senior
ReplyDelete