Peregrine White (abt. 1620 - 1704)

Born about Nov 1620 in Mayflower

Ancestors

Husband of Sarah (Bassett) White — married before 6 Mar 1649 (to 20 Jul 1704) in Plymouth Colony

Descendants

Died 20 Jul 1704 at about age 83 in Marshfield, Plymouth, Province of Massachusetts Bay

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Peregrine White was a passenger on the Mayflower. Join: Mayflower Project Discuss: mayflower

Biography

Birth

White Family : Bradford's List

"Whileſt some were imployed in this diſcovery, it pleaſed God that Miſtris White was brought a bed of a Sonne, which was called Peregrine."^[1]

Peregrine^[2] White, son of William and Susanna (Jackson) White, was the first English child born to the Pilgrims in the New World. He was born on board the Mayflower while it lay anchored in what is now called Provincetown Harbor. A 1616 map drawn by John Smith, shows the place name of "Milford Haven." William Bradford, author of the major contemporary works on Plymouth, does not name this place in his journal.

After the Mayflower anchored in Milford Haven (alias Provincetown Harbor) male members of the company made three expeditions of "discovery" into the areas around Cape Cod Bay looking for a suitable place to settle. The first "discovery' took place Nov. 15-17. The second was from Nov 24 to Nov 30, and the third from Dec 6-12. The full quote from Mourt's relations concerning Peregrine's birth can be open to some different interpretations.

"... a Company was chosen to goe out vppon a third discovery: whilest some were imployed in this discovery, it pleased God that Mistris White was brought a bed of a Sonne, which was called Peregrines.

"The fift day, we .... Wednefday, the fixt of December ..."

Was Peregrine born during the second discovery or the third? Some have chosen to interpret this as born 4 Dec 1620, as the entry falls just before entries for the fifth and sixth of December. However, no "discovery" was taking place on the 4th of Dec. In addition, his baptismal record says he was born in November. Newspaper accounts of his death say he was born in November, and his age at death calculates to a birth in November,^[3][4] so he was born during the second "discovery" at the end of November.

Early Life in Plymouth

Peregrine's father, William White, died the first winter, Susanna White married fellow Mayflower passenger Edward Winslow.^[5] This was the first wedding in "New Plymouth."

William Bradford's accounting of the White Family 1650/1

In the 1623 Plymouth division of land William White received five acres as a passenger on the Mayflower (even though he had been dead for two years).^[6] In the 1627 Plymouth division of cattle Resolved White and Peregrine White were the tenth and eleventh persons in the third company.^[7]

In the 1630s as the original nucleus colony grew in size, Edward Winslow was granted land in Marshfield and the family moved there.

Peregrine, as did all males of age 16, joined the militia. 7 June 1637, the Plymouth Court voted to send men to aid Massachusetts in their war against the Pequot Indians. "Perregrine" White was among the volunteers.^[8] In 1642, he was named "auncient bearrer" in Miles Standish's company appointed for the purpose of defending against a supposed uprising of the natives.^[9] Peregrine was elected a Lieutenant of the local militia by 1651 when he became a freeman and continued in this capacity at least until 1673/4 when he was granted land at Titicut.^[10][11] He was called Captain in 1696 when he joined the Marshfield Church.^[12]

27 September 1642 : "Memorand That Mr Edward Winslow came into the publik Court and did acknowledg That he hath absolutly & freely giuen graunted enfeoffed and confirmed vnto Peregrine White his sonn in law all & singuler those his lands lying at the Eele riuer wth all and singuler thapprtenences therevnto belonging and all his right title and interrest of & into the same To haue and to hold all and singuler the said lands wth their apprtences vnto the said peregrine white his heires and assignes for euer to the onely pper use and behoofe of him the said Peregreene White his heires and Assignes for euer."^[13] Peregrine White of Marshfield sold this land to Manassas Kempton a year later, 23 Oct 1643.^[14][15][16]

Marriage

Peregrine White and Sarah Bassett were married before 6 March 1648/9. On that date, "Wee psent Peregrin White, and Sara, his wife, both of Marshfield, for fornication before marriage or contract. Cleared by paying the fine."^[17] This record doesn't name her parents, but 3 Jun 1652, William Bassett Sr. of Duxburrow gave his son-in-law Lt. Peregrine White 40 acres of upland.^[14]

Sarah's parents, William and Elizabeth Bassett, had been members of the Leiden Separatist community. They arrived in Plymouth in 1621 in the Fortune. Sarah was born after their arrival in Plymouth, sometime before 1627. The Bassets had considerable land in Marshfield and Peregrine moved onto his in-laws land, buying several adjacent pieces of property as the years progressed. Peregrine and Sarah had 7 children.

Records

White's name appears frequently in the records of the colonists. He was an esteemed member of the community as the first child born in New England. He later became a citizen of the settlement of Marshfield, Plymouth Colony, and held some civil and military offices.

• 29 October 1649 : "Presentments by the Grand Inquest: "Wee psent William Halloway and Peregrin White, both of Marshfeild, for fighting. Cleared, with admonission to take heed for the future."^[18]
• Peregrine White was propounded as a freeman in Plymouth 5 Jun 1651,^[19] and was immediately chosen as fence viewer for Marshfield.^[14][20] The following year, 3 Jun 1652 "Leiftenant Perigrin White" became a freeman,^[21] and was chosen constable of Marshfield.^[22]
• 6 April 1653. "Memorand : that Leift White bee warned to appear att the June Court, to answare for his neglect in not convaying notice of danger."^[23]
• 7 June 1653. White requested that some highways be laid out ^[24]
• 9 Jun 1653. He was fined for neglecting to give speedy notice of danger and for not speedily delivering a letter from the commissioners to Wm. Bradford and Mr. Browne.^[25]
• 16 September 1653 [Edward Winslow had agreed to take on Nathaniell Covell as an indentured servant in April of 1653] : "These are to signify that Mr Edward Winslow by a letter sent to mee bearing Date the 2cond of May 1653 gave mee power in his name to assigne over the pty within Names (Nathaniell Covell) to Mr Perigrine White his sonneinlaw to serve him according to this Indenture and the full time therof the which I have now Donne this 16th of September 1653 they both appeering before mee at this time; By mee William Bradford Governor: "Alsoe the said Mr Perigrine White Doth heerby bind himselfe his heires exequitors and assignes to pforme the Covenants within specifyed to this his servant mencioned in this Indenture and Discharge Mr Edward Winslow of the same and for that end hath heerunto put his hand; Perigrine White"^[26]
• 6 December 1653 : "Memorand; That Leiftenant Perigrine White of the towne of marshfeild in the Jurisdiction of new Plymouth in New England in america Doth acknowlidge that for and in consideration of the full summe of forty pounds to him in hand payed by capt: Thomas Willett of the Towne of Plymouth in the Jurisdiction aforsaid wherwith hee Doth acknowlidge himselfe Satisfyed contented and fully payed; hee hath freely and absolutly barganed allianated and sold enfeofed and confeirmed and by these Doeth bargane sell enfeofe and confeirme unto the said capt: Willett all that his prte and proprietie of land which as Purchaser or old comer; belongeth unto him att Sowamsett Mattapoisett and places adiacent both upland and meddow with all and singulare the appurtenances privilidges and emunities belonging unto the same; as alsoe the said Leiftenant White is to Defray all charges ariseing by the Indian purchase of the siad prmises; To have and to hold his said prte portion and proprietie of land both upland and meddow which as purchaser or old comer belongeth unto him att Sowamsett Mattapoisett and places adiacent with all and singulare the appurtenances privilidges and emunities belonging therunto or to any prte or prcell therof unto the said captaine Thomas Willett his heires and assignes forever; The said prmises with all and singulare the appurtenances therunto belonging to appertaine unto the onely proper use and behoofe of him the said capt: Willett his heires and assignes for ever; and alsoe the said Leiftenant White heerby covenanteth that his brother Resolved white shall give his [-----] and full consent unto the sale of the abovesaid premises: "This sale was acknowlidged before capt: Standish assistant; the Day and yeare above written."^[27]
• 16 Jun 1656 William Bassett Sr. of Duxborrow, residing in Bridgewater, gave his lands in Scituate to his two sons, Peregrine White and Nathaniel Bassett.^[28][29]
• Lt. Peregrine White was a member of the Council of War 2 Oct 1658, ^[30] a Deputy from Marshfield to Plymouth Court, 3 Oct 1659,^[31] served on the "Grand Enquest", 6 Jun 1660,^[32] and 5 Mar 1660/1, he was part of the committee to determine the cause of death of Jeremiah Burroughs.^[33]
• Peregrine and others received a land grant at Pochade Neck, lot #4 bounded with a white oke and a red oake tree marked" The grant is not dated in the records but falls in the pages of 1664.^[34][35]
• Peregrine was granted 200 acres Oct 1665 because he was the first Englishman born in Plymouth.^[36]
• In 1667, he inherited from his father-in-law, William Bassett, the largest collection of books in the colony. In 1667, he also served as a member of the jury laying out roads, and in 1675 he was foreman of the jury laying out roads. In 1672, he served another term as selectman.^[37]
• 2 March 1668-9 : "Leiftenant Peregrine White, of Marshfeild, complaineth against Benjamine Higgens, of Eastham, in an action of the case, to the damage of sixteen pounds, for not paying a debt due to him, the said White, or his assignes, for a boate bought of him, the said White, the said debt being due, and to be payed the fifteenth of November last past.: "The parties agreed, and the action withdrawne."^[38]
• Another 100 acres, in Titicut was granted to Lt. Peregrine White 4 March 1673/4.^[14][39]
• 19 Aug 1674, Peregrine White of Marshfield deeded his son Daniel White of Marshfield, who was going to get married, his house, barn etc. in Marshfield, on the day of his decease. If Sarah died after Peregrine, she was to enjoy the "new end" of the dwelling, and Peregrine was to pay his sisters Sarah and Mercy £20 each when they turned 18 or married.^[40]

Peregrine White Baptism

At age 78, 22 May 1696, Peregrine officially joined the Marshfield church. The Biblical reference to Matthew 20:6-7 reads:^[12]

"6. And he went about the eleventh hour, and found others standing idle, and said unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?
7. They said unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He said to them, Go ye also into my vineyard, and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.^[41]

Death

Marshfield Vital Records note the death of "Capt. Peregrine White" on "July ye 20:1704." at the age of 83 years 8 months.^[42][3]

"Marshfield, July 22, Capt. Peregrine White of this Town, Aged Eighty three years, and Eight Months; died the 20th Instant. He was vigorous and of a comly Aspect to the last; Was the Son of Mr William White and susanna his Wife; born on board the Mayflower, Capt. Jones Commander, in Cape Cod Harbour, November, 1620. was the First Englishman born in New-England. Altho' he was in the former part of his Life extravagant ; yet was much Reform'd in his last years ; and died hopefully."^{[43][4][44][45]}

"Peregrine White liv'd in great Health and Vigour to the 84th Year of his Age, when a Fever carried Him off on July 22, 1704"^[46]

The Winslow Cemetery in Marshfield, established about 1651, is probably the final resting place of Peregrine White. His name is on the Marshfield Founder's Monument placed there.^[47]

Probate

Peregrine White, "aged and under many Weaknesses and Bodily Infirmities" made his will 14 July 1704. The will was proved 14 Aug 1704. After commending his soul to God and his body to decent burial, and after debts and funeral expenses were paid, he gave to his wife Sarah "all my Goods and Chattels not otherways disposed of by this my Will the same to be for her Support and Comfort for and during ye term of her naturall Life." He further made bequests to his eldest son Daniel White, daughters Sarah and Mercy, sons Jonathan and Peregrine. He desired that after the decease of his wife what was left to her would be equally divided "between my four children namely Jonathan Peregrine Sarah and Mercy." He appointed his wife and son Daniel to execute his will, and his "Good friends and Neighbors Samuel Sprague Senior and John Dogget to be overseers." ^{[48] [49] [50][51] [52]}

An inventory, containing items in keeping with his life as a farmer, was taken 3 August 1704.^[53]

Children^[14]

• Daniel White b. c. 1649 (based on age at death ie. age 70 or 75 in 1724, and Bradford's accounting^[5])
• Child White b. c. 1650/1 (Peregrine had two children in Bradford's 1650/1 accounting of increasings and decreasings.^[5]
• Jonathan White b. Marshfield 4 Jun 1658
• Peregrine White b. c. 1661 (based on age in his bpt. record "aged 62" in Feb 1723/4 and age 66 at death in 1727)
• Sarah White b. Marshfield Oct. 1663
• Sylvanus White, b. Marshfield bef. 1667
• Mercy White, b. c. 1670 (based on age 69 at death in 1739.)

Sources

1. ↑ Dexter, Henry Martyn, 1821-1890, Edward Winslow, and William Bradford. Mourt's Relation or Journal of the Plantation at Plymouth. This was originally published in 1622. It can be found in various publications. Robert Anderson cited p. 31 of a 1963 edition. The Plymouth Colony Archive Project has an e-version of the 1865 edition. Used here was the 1865 edition published in Boston by J.K. Wiggin p. 42 at archive.org, p. 42 at Google Books
2. ↑ "Peregrine" means "one who journeys to foreign lands," or, more simply, it is a French and Middle English word for "pilgrim." See Merriam Webster Dictionary
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1} Sherman, Robert M and Sherman Ruth Wilder. Vital Records of Marshfield, Massachusetts to the Year 1850. (Society of Mayflower Descendants, 1970) p. 43 Link at AmericanAncestors ($)
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1} "Miscellaneous Death Records" The Mayflower Descendant 24:128 citing The Boston Newsletter Maonday July 31. 1704. Link at AmericanAncestors ($)
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1 5.2} Bradford's History Bradford, William. History of Plymouth Plantation (Massachusetts Historical Society, 1856) p. 448, "Mr. William White, and Susana, his wife, and one sone, caled Resolved, and one borne a ship-bord, caled Peregriene; & 2, servants, named William Holbeck & Edward Thomson. p. 452 "Mr. White and his 2, servants dyed soone after ther landing. His wife maried with Mr. Winslow (as is before noted). His 2 sons are maried, and Resolved hath 5. children, Perigrine tow, all living. So their increase are 7."
6. ↑ Pulsifer, David. New Plymouth Colony; Records of the colony of New Plymouth, in New England Vol. 12 Deeds, &c. Vol. 1 1620-1651 & Book of Indian Records for their lands (New York : AMS Press, 1861) 12:4.
7. ↑ Plymouth Colony Records, 12:10.
8. ↑ Shurtleff, Nathaniel Bradstreet. Records of the colony of New Plymouth in New England : printed by order of the legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Vol. 1 Court Orders 1633-1640. (Reprint: New York : AMS Press, 1968) Vol 1:61
9. ↑ Shurtleff, Nathaniel Bradstreet. Records of the colony of New Plymouth in New England : printed by order of the legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Vol. 2 Court Orders 1641-51. (Reprint: New York : AMS Press, 1968) Vol 2. p. 47
10. ↑ Called Lt. when he became a freeman
11. ↑ Many records refer to him as Lt. including Vol 2 p. 80., Vol 2 p. 93
12. ↑ ^{12.0 12.1} "Capt. Peregrine White's Admission to the Church at Marshfield, Mass." The Mayflower Descendant (1933) Vol 31:145 Link at AmericanAncestors ($)
13. ↑ Records of Plymouth Colony, Vol. 12, p. 86.
14. ↑ ^{14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 14.4} Wakefield, Robert S. (editor). Sherman, Ruth Wilder and Sherman, Robert Moody (original compilers). Mayflower Families Through Five Generations. Volume Thirteen Family of William White. Third Edition. (Plymouth, Mass.: General Society of Mayflower Descendants, 2006) pp 5, 8-10
15. ↑ "Plymouth Deeds" The Mayflower Descendant (1916) Vol 18 p 33 cites p. 114 1662
16. ↑ "Massachusetts Land Records, 1620-1986," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9Z7-G99M?cc=2106411&wc=MCBR-PWY%3A361612701%2C362501701 : 22 May 2014), Plymouth > Deeds 1651-1681 vol 2-4 > image 203 of 677; county courthouses and offices, Massachusetts. Vol 2 pt 2 p. 114.
17. ↑ Records of Plymouth Colony Vol 2. p. 138
18. ↑ Records of Plymouth Colony, Vol. 2, p. 147.
19. ↑ "Leiuetenant Perigren White" "Ppounded to take up theire Freedom. Records of Plymouth Colony Vol 2 P. 167
20. ↑ Records of Plymouth Colony 2:168
21. ↑ Records of Plymouth Colony. vol 3 p. 7, Hathi Trust link
22. ↑ Records of Plymouth colony Vol 3 p. 8
23. ↑ Records of Plymouth Colony Vol 2 p. 26,
24. ↑ Records of Plymouth colony p. 34
25. ↑ Records of Plymouth colony vol 2. p 37
26. ↑ Mayflower Descendant, Vol. 9, p. 163-4.
27. ↑ "Plymouth Colony Deeds" The Mayflower Descendant, Vol. 4, p. 86. Cites Vol II pt 1 p. 89.
28. ↑ William Bassett's Deed to Peregrine White and Nathaniel Bassett." The Mayflower Descendant (1908) 10:25 cites Deeds II:I: 177 & 178.
29. ↑ "Massachusetts Land Records, 1620-1986," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9Z7-G9D2?cc=2106411&wc=MCBR-PWY%3A361612701%2C362501701 : 22 May 2014), Plymouth > Deeds 1651-1681 vol 2-4 > image 104 of 677; county courthouses and offices, Massachusetts. Vol 2. pt 1 177,178.
30. ↑ vol 3 p. 153
31. ↑ Vol 3 p. 170 Went about conducting business p. 171
32. ↑ vol 3 p. 188
33. ↑ Vol 3 p. 208
34. ↑ Mayflower Descendant: A Magazine of Pilgrim Genealogy and History. Boston, MA: Massachusetts Society of Mayflower Descendants, 1899- . (Online database: AmericanAncestors.org, New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2010) https://www.americanancestors.org/DB407/i/13101/81/0
35. ↑ Plymouth Deeds ["Massachusetts Land Records, 1620-1986," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9Z7-G5S?cc=2106411&wc=MCBR-PWY%3A361612701%2C362501701 : 22 May 2014), Plymouth > Deeds 1651-1681 vol 2-4 > image 251 of 677; county courthouses and offices, Massachusetts. Vol III p. 21
36. ↑ "A Grant of Land to Lieut. Peregrine White as the First Born English Child." Bowman, George Ernest, and Society of Mayflower Descendants. Massachusetts. Pilgrim Notes And Queries. Vol 5. Boston, Mass., 1917. pp. 83, 84 11 Oct 1665. Cites Court Orders 4:112 and Plym Deeds 3:87
37. ↑ "Ancestral Lines, Third Edition," published by the author in Santa Clarita, California in 1998.
38. ↑ Records of Plymouth Colony, Vol. 7, p. 153.
39. ↑ Records of Plymouth Colony 5:141
40. ↑ "Massachusetts Land Records, 1620-1986," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89Z7-5H63?cc=2106411&wc=MCBR-RMS%3A361612701%2C362503001 : 22 May 2014), Plymouth > Deeds 1686-1699 vol 5-6 > image 324 of 344; county courthouses and offices, Massachusetts. Plymouth 6:83
41. ↑ William Bradford owned the Geneva Bible. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+20&version=GNV
42. ↑ Mayflower Families Through Five Generations Volume 13 William White 2006 page 9
43. ↑ The Boston News-Letter for Monday 31 July 1704
44. ↑ "Death of Peregrine White" From the Boston News-letter. New England Historical and Genealogical Register 4:259
45. ↑ "Peregrine White's Death" Mayflower Descendant: A Magazine of Pilgrim Genealogy and History. Boston, MA: Massachusetts Society of Mayflower Descendants, 1932. (Online database: AmericanAncestors.org, New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2010) https://www.americanancestors.org/DB407/i/12865/145/0
46. ↑ Boston Weekly News-Letter for Friday 29 August 1755
47. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 12 June 2020), memorial page for Capt Peregrine White, Sr (Nov 1620–20 Jul 1704), Find A Grave: Memorial #13799591, citing Old Winslow Burying Ground, Marshfield, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, USA ; Maintained by Jodihome99 (contributor 46833834) .
48. ↑ pdf download of his will and inventory
49. ↑ "Massachusetts, Plymouth County, Probate Records, 1633-1967," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L97D-6SK8?cc=2018320&wc=M6BX-3T5%3A337794101 : 20 May 2014), Probate records 1702-1710 vol 2 > image 38 of 106; State Archives, Boston. Clerk's copy at FamilySearch.
50. ↑ The Will of Peregrine White 1704. Caleb Johnson's Mayflower History.
51. ↑ "The Will of Peregrine White." The Mayflower Descendant (1899)Vol 1, p. 130-131, facsimile on p. 129.
52. ↑ "Last Will & Testament of Peregrine White, 1704," The Plymouth Colony Archive Project (Link via Wayback Machine, capture date 29 Jan 2012.)
53. ↑ The Mayflower Descendant Vol 3:119-120 Cites Plymouth County Probate Records Vol II, p. 50

See also:

• signature
• A biography of Peregrine White was published by Carl Boyer 3rd in "Ancestral Lines, Third Edition," published by the author in Santa Clarita, California in 1998.
• Sherman, Ruth Wilder, CG, FASG, and Robert Moody Sherman, CG, FASG (Re-edited by Wakefield, Robert S, FASG), Mayflower Families through Five Generations, Vol. 13 Third Edition p. 8-10. Family of William White, Published by General Society of Mayflower Descendants, 2006
• Wikipedia:Peregrine_White
• <https://pilgrimhall.org/pdf/Peregrine_White_17th_Century_Documents.pdf />
• The Great Migration Begins - Immigrants to New England 1620-1633, Vol. III p. 1980-1981 White family). Robert C. Anderson NEHGS 1995.
• The Origin of Mayflower Passenger Susanna1 (Jackson) (White) Winslow, by Caleb Johnson, Sue Allen and Simon Neal. The American Genealogist Whole No. 354 Vol. 89, No. 2 April 2017 p. 94
• Steele, Ashbel. Chief of The Pilgrims, or The Life and Times of William Brewster (J.B. Lippincott, Philadelphia, 1857) Page 234: "...they called him Peregrine, a stranger, or wanderer."
• Bradford, William, 1590-1657. Of Plimoth Plantation: manuscript, 1630-1650. State Library of Massachusetts "List of Mayflower Passengers." In Bradford's Hand.
• Moriarty, G. Andrews "The Parentage of William White of Dartmouth, Massachusetts." (1940) The American Genealogist. New Haven, CT: D. L. Jacobus, 1937-. (Online database. AmericanAncestors.org. New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2009 - .) pp 202+: Contains general information on this White Family to prove William and Susannah weren't ancestors of William White of Dartmouth.
• Josselyn, John. An Account of Two Voyages to New-England (Massachusetts Historical Society, 1865) Page 187
• The Howland Homestead (Society of the Descendants of Pilgrim John Howland, of the Ship Mayflower, Boston, 1911) No. 2, Page 8: Bible record.

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