The Heritage of The Mayflower Pilgrims

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For centuries mighty ships have sailed across the sea from England to America. However, few are recognized to have brought such a significant heritage as did the little 180 ton Mayflower bringing the Pilgrim Fathers  to their new home in 1620.  Did your ancestors sail over on The Mayflower?  There is a link below to read the names of the Mayflower pilgrims who sailed across the sea to America in search for the right to worship as they felt God was leading them.  In fact, freedom of religion for all religions has made The United States of America a great nation. 

That’s not to say The Church of England didn’t worship God.  The Church of England has always been a good source for those who love God and believe in Jesus Christ.  But, in the 1600’s, it was found by some to be restrictive and oppressive.  Then Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses on The Whittenburg Door.

Freedom of Religion Beckons

Freedom of religion was the issue forged by America’s first pilgrims when leaving their families, friends, and country.  The story of their plight begins in the early 1600’s in the north of England.  A group of sincere Puritan men and women began to meet in secret for religious worship in the Old Manor House of William Brewster in the village of Scrooby in Nottinghamshire. 

They courageously sought to free their worship from the half-hearted religious community of the then Queen of England, Elizabeth.  They desired to have a separate church from The Church of England. 

Following the directives of their conscience they refused to follow the laws of the church and began to suffer heavy penalties. One of their group, William Bradford, wrote, “Some were taken and clapt up in prison, others had their houses besett and watcht day and night, and the most were faine to flie and leave their houses and habitations and means of their livelihood.”