Sunday, November 29, 2009

The Pilgrims - Mary Chilton

My husband and I are the Great Great Great Great Great Great Great Great Great Granddaughter of Mary Chilton, who tradition has was the first female to walk ashore from the Mayflower. (That is 9 greats.)
Mary Chilton was the daughter of James Chilton and Mrs. Chilton. She was born in 1608, There has been much speculation about her mother's name but as time has gone by and records have been found, it is believed that the person once thought to be her mother is not her mother due to her young age. We do know that her mother was excommunicated in 1609 though.

Mary Chilton was an incredible women to have not only crossed the Atlantic, but survived without parents, they both died in 1620/1621. Mary married John Winslow (arrived in 1921) sometime before 1627, when their first child was born. They had 10 children. Sometime before 1971 they moved to Boston. Below is the marker that stands where their home used to be.
Mary died in 1679. Mary's will shows that she had accumulated much in the way of worldly treasures.

I grew up always knowing about Mary Chilton. The line that connects to me is through women for all but one generation. I had a small book my grandma gave me when I was in elementary school showing our heritage. This book always stood out as a reminder of what strong women I have had in my past and has helped me know that I too can be strong.
At this time of Thanksgiving, I am very thankful for my ancestor, Mary Chilton and for her parents who brought her to this wonderful land of Freedom.

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