The Bienville Democrat. [volume] (Arcadia, Bienville Parish, La.) 1912-1980, 1921-11-17

centenary observances that have
Tapped over into 1921.
To listen to the proud descendants
of the Pilgrims and to see the relics
and furniture that "came over In the
Mayfower' is to smile. AS a matter
of fact records and relics Of the PHI
grims are much like angels visits
For instance, Governor William Brad
f0rds "HistOry of the Plimoth Planta'
ton" and Mounts Relation" sup
posed to have been written by Brad
ford and Edward Winslow to friends
in England, contain the only accounts
of the Mayhower's voyage. 1t was
not until 1855 that Americans dis
covered that the complete manuscript
of Governor Bradford's history was
reposing in a London library. 1t was
published In 1856 for the first time.
How 1t came back to Massachusetts Is
told later.
Again there Is q difference Of opinion
as to the Identity of the Mayflower's
captaln--"Master Jones'" Some his
torians say that he was one Chris
TOPPER Jones and a trustworthy man;
others hold that he was Capt. Thomas
Jones, q sort of retired pirate. There
Is no authentic record Of the accom-
modations of the MayflOwer and no
exact description Of the vessel. Some
believe she was at one time SLAYER.
In fact the historians get the first
authoritative evidence that the name
of the vessel Of the Pilgrims was
"Maynower" from the Allotment OF
Lands" an official document drawn
up ut Plymouth in March, 1923.
1t Is thought that the group Of
autographs at the upper left, includes
all the known signatures of those who
came in the Mayhower, except that Of
Dorothy May, who was then the wife
of William Bradford. Resolved White
was then but child and Peregrine
White was not born until the May
flower had reached Cape Cod harbor.
The portrait of Governor Edward
Winslow is the only authentic likeness
of any of the Mayhower Pilgrims 1t
was painted in England in 1851, when
WinSlow was IS. 1t has been several
times engraved The original, once the
property of Isaac Winslow. is now
deposited in the gallery of the Pilgrim
Society at Plymouth.
Contrary to the popular belief the
actual relics of the Mayhower Pilgrims
are few.
II IS believed that the celebrations
of the tercentenary in America, Eng
land and Holland have brought to
light some new records and relics. the
authenticity of which will stand the
closest investigation.
An undoubted autograph of John
Robinson, pastor of the Pilgrims in
Leyden, Is one Of the relics that has
been unearthed. It was found in
Leyden by DR.. Eekhof among the
n0tarial papers In the city's archives.
John Robinson, as every American
should know, was the pastor of the
little group Of religious radicals who
| first gathered at Scrooby, England,
about 1905 and later became known
to history as the Pilgrims. From
Scrooby they went to Amsterdam and
then to Leyden. When they decided
10 20 to America the question was:
How many would 60 and who2 It
was decided that Robinson should lead
them. II the majority voted to 90. II
the majority voted not to 90. William
Brewster was to lead these who went.
The majority voted not to 60. Robin
son never saw the New World. He
died March l, 1925, and was buried
IN Leyden.
Hitherto no wholly authenticated
signature Of John Robinson has been
known. The two reproduced have been