Wife of John Alden

John Alden - the pilgrim - married Priscilla Mullins, who also came over on the Mayflower. Here is some information I found on her family:

William Mullins was a fairly well-to-do shoe and boot dealer from Dorking, Surrey, England. He purchased a number of shares in the Pilgrims joint-stock company, becoming one of the Merchant Adventurers. He brought his wife Alice, daughter Priscilla and son Joseph to America on the Mayflower. Only Priscilla would survive the first winter, however. William Mullins made out his death-bed will on 21 February 1620/1, in which he mentions his wife Alice, daughter Priscilla, son Joseph, and married children William and Sarah who were still in Dorking. He also mentions a "Goodman Woodes" who remains unidentified, and a "Master Williamson" which was likely a Dutch pseudonym for William Brewster who was a fugitive at the time (for printing illegal religious pamphlets in Leyden).

Most of our ancestors came here during the 1600's. The reference above to William Brewster gives you an indication of why so many took the huge risk of leaving everything they knew for a new world where they could worship freely. Our DNA is full of very brave and passionate people who cared deeply about their faith.

James Dean?

Ok. Brittany looked at the family tree and sent me this info:

"Eliza Benson..granddad's i think great grandmother is related to james dean.. by 5th cousin two times removed."

Cool.

Steam Ships

Today's discovery. One of Mom's grandma's (Margaret E. Fulton 1760 - 1825) is the sister to Robert Fulton, inventory of the steam ship.