Mayflower
The tiny salt-stained ship swung idly at it's mooring in the quiet waters behind Cape Cod while it's passengers gathered on it's deck to compose and sign a declaration to govern their lives in a new strange world. The date was in 1620. Finally, agreement over the wording was reached and the little group of settlers-to-be each scratched their names with ink and goose-quill pen to the document. It was a statement of principle revealing an intention to make in their new-found home a settlement which would be guided by written laws offering rights and a measure of equality to all. This "Mayflower Compact" had an enormous significance because it led the way to the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution a hundred and fifty years later. Not since the Magna Carta had the rights of individuals been addressed in written form and then, not for the common man.
Among that small group of adventurers who braved the waters of the Atlantic and endured the month long sea voyage to Cape Cod Bay was Francis Cooke, an Englishman, and his son John, age 10. Hester Mathieu, his wife, and three younger children had been left home in England but would also cross the ocean within two years to rejoin the family. It is recorded that Francis was a husbandman, another term for farmer. Hester Mathieu, we believe, was a Walloon, from a district now mostly within Belgium that spoke, at the time, a Latin based language that resembles French.
The fifth and last child born to the Cooke family was Mary Cooke in about 1626. Her birth place was in Plymouth Massachusetts where the first settlement of the Pilgrims was made. It is from Mary that our American family descends. Mary's great great granddaughter married a Davenport and lived in Little Compton, Rhode Island.
"In the name of God, Amen. We, whose names are underwritten, the Loyal Subjects of our dread Sovereign Lord, King James, by the Grace of God, of England, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, e&.
Having undertaken for the Glory of God, and Advancement of the Christian Faith, and the Honour of our King and Country, a voyage to plant the first colony in the northern parts of Virginia; do by these presents, solemnly and mutually in the Presence of God and one of another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil Body Politick, for our better Ordering and Preservation, and Furtherance of the Ends aforesaid; And by Virtue hereof to enact, constitute, and frame, such just and equal Laws, Ordinances, Acts, Constitutions and Offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the General good of the Colony; unto which we promise all due submission and obedience.
In Witness whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names at Cape Cod the eleventh of November, in the Reign of our Sovereign Lord, King James of England, France and Ireland, the eighteenth, and of Scotland the fifty-fourth. Anno Domini, 1620."
Note: The reference to Virginia refers to the original intention of the Mayflower to sail to Virginia. An arrival in lands later to be called Massachusetts was unintentional.