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William Brewster and the Puritans, in England they are persecuted for their believes. They migrate to Holland, returning to England prior to sailing for America.
Brewster and Puritans Establish ChurchWilliam Brewster, born in 1567 in England, as an adult became a Puritan. The beliefs and views of the Puritans did not conform to those of the Church of England, creating a dangerous situation for those Englishmen and women who called themselves Puritans. In his village of Scrooby in Nottinghamshire, Brewster and others formed their own church, called a Separatist church. Secretly this group met for devotions in the Brewster manor house. But even from within the privacy of the Brewster home the group was spied upon, found out, and persecuted. Prior to Migrating to HollandAlthough Brewster had been educated at Cambridge University, his Puritan beliefs and the seeking of religious freedom would in time bring him considerable trouble. They would also send him on an unbelievable adventure, first to Holland and then to America. Previous to this adventure Brewster had been in the service of William Davison, England's ambassador to Holland. Brewster made numerous trips to that country and in time grew to know the country well. Sometime later, after returning to his village of Scrooby he became a businessman, involved in sending the mail on its way, caring for an inn, and supplying horses for the post road. Throughout all of this hard work to support his family his Puritan beliefs that he shared with his wife Mary and their five children did not changed. Separatist Church and ImprisonmentAfter the Separatist church in Nottinghamshire was formed Brewster was made an elder. Surely amongst these Puritans was secret talks of moving them all to another and safer location, possibly the New World. But before the move could be made, Brewster and some others were arrested and imprisoned. Puritans Flee to Holland and Religious FreedomIn time Brewster was released or escaped his captors. Now the group was determined to seek a home where they could worship as they chose. In 1608 they fled to Holland, but this was only one step toward the final destination they would reach. In the town of Leiden (or Leyden) in Holland William Brewster earned his living by teaching English and printing religious books that had been outlawed in merry old England. Although William Brewster and the Pilgrims found religious freedom in Holland it was difficult to live and work in a land where English was not the major language spoken. After many serious discussions the Pilgrims decided to migrate to the New World. There they and their children could speak English and continue to enjoy their religious freedom. Preperations Begin for Move to New WorldBrewster applied for and received a patent from the Virginia Company of London. Now they could settle in that New World wilderness territory called Virginia. It took Brewster and his Pilgrims three years to prepare for this journey, one they well might never see the desired end of. Although they now had their patent they lacked enough money for supplies and other expenses. They did manage to contract with a group of merchants to finance them. The cost to the Pilgrims would be indentured servitude, working for seven years in the New World and giving a share from the results of their labors to the financing merchants. This was not a situation the Pilgrims readily desired. But as they had no other choice, and it did not compromise their religious principles, they agreed. The plan was to sail aboard a small ship, the Speedwell , from Leiden back to England where other Pilgrims seeking religious freedom in the New World would be waiting to accompany them with an additional ship. Once they had settled in Virginia the Speedwell would serve as a commercial fishing boat, giving them an assured means of supporting themselves. Source: Comptons, The Complete Reference Collection. CD Rom, 1997, The Learning Company, Inc. Musick, John R. Columbian Historical Novels, Volume IV: Pocahontas: A Story of Virginia. Funk & Wagnalls Company, New York, London and Toronto, 1895.
The copyright of the article Brewsters Leave England in Colonial America is owned by Mary Trotter Kion. Permission to republish Brewsters Leave England in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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