William Bradford
William Bradford was an English Pilgrim Separatist who played a pivotal role in the early years of the Plymouth Colony in America. Born in Yorkshire, he became disillusioned with the Church of England and sought religious freedom, leading him to join a group of Separatists in Leiden, Netherlands. In 1620, Bradford was among the passengers on the Mayflower, which carried the Pilgrims to the New World. He served as the governor of Plymouth Colony for many years, overseeing its development and the establishment of its government. Bradford is best known for his work 'Of Plymouth Plantation,' a detailed account of the Pilgrims' experiences from their departure from England to the establishment of their colony. This seminal text is one of the earliest examples of American literature and provides invaluable insights into the challenges faced by the settlers, their interactions with Native Americans, and their quest for religious liberty. His writings not only document the history of the Pilgrims but also reflect the broader themes of faith, perseverance, and community that would shape American identity. Bradford's legacy endures as a foundational figure in American history, representing the spirit of early colonization and the pursuit of freedom.
Famous Quotes
View all 3 quotes“All great and honorable actions are accompanied with great difficulties, and both must be enterprised and overcome with answerable courage.”
“Thus out of small beginnings greater things have been produced by His hand that made all things of nothing, and gives being to all things that are; and, as one small candle may light a thousand, so the light here kindled hath shone unto many...”
“May not and ought not the children of these fathers rightly say: "Our fathers were Englishmen which came over this great ocean, and were ready to perish in this wilderness but they cried unto the Lord, and He heard their voice, and looked on their adversity, &c. Let them therefore praise the Lord, because He is good, and His mercies endure forever. Yea, let them which have been redeemed of the Lord, shew how He hath delivered them from the hand of the oppressor. When they wandered in the; desert wilderness out of the way, and found no city to dwell in, both hungry, and thirsty, their soul was overwhelmed in them. Let them confess before the Lord His loving kindness, and His wonderful works before the sons of men.”
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