William D. Bradford

Tagged since December 2009.

William Bradford (Plymouth governor)

Bradford's statue in Plymouth Rock State Park, Plymouth, Massachusetts

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2nd, 5th, 7th, 9th & 11th Governor of Plymouth Colony
In office
1621 – 1633
1635 – 1636
1637 – 1638
1639 – 1644
1645 – 1657
Preceded by John Carver (1621)
Thomas Prence (1635)
Edward Winslow (1637)
Thomas Prence (1639)
Edward Winslow (1645)
Succeeded by Edward Winslow (1633)
Edward Winslow (1636)
Thomas Prence (1638)
Edward Winslow (1644)
Thomas Prence (1645)

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Born March 19, 1590
Austerfield, Yorkshire, England
Died May 9, 1657 (aged 67)
Plymouth, Massachusetts
Nationality English
Spouse(s) Dorothy Bradford
Alice Carpenter
Religion Separatist

William Bradford (March 19, 1590 – May 9, 1657) was an English leader of the Separatist settlers of the Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts, and was elected thirty times to be the Governor after John Carver died. He was the second signer and primary architect of the Mayflower Compact in Provincetown Harbor. His journal (1620–47), was published as Of Plymouth Plantation. Bradford is credited as the first to proclaim what popular American culture now views as the first Thanksgiving.