Little Known History of the Plymouth Colony

Carlton Bradford Talks Family

Carlton Bradford (1926-2023) was a 12th-generation direct line descendent of Plymouth Colony Governor William Bradford. And he was a historian of the highest order. It made for an interesting combination.

A member of the Mayflower Society, he researched William Bradford and others who traveled to America onboard the Mayflower with a resolve that ultimately ended up unearthing previously scantily recorded details of the Pilgrims, “The Sinners and the Saints” as they referred to themselves, making small but illuminating bits of their lives known.

Carlton’s recording is easy listening. He was a brilliant man, soft-spoken, and unassuming. His recording offers students and teachers a unique starting point to begin or enrich conversation and classroom study this Thanksgiving week.

From the Society of Mayflower Descendants: The Algonquin Nation inhabited New England and the mid-Atlantic states. The Wampanoag Federation, at its peak, contained 20,000 to 30,000 individuals in two dozen tribes who occupied southeastern Massachusetts and eastern Rhode Island. The Wampanoag was ruled by a Sachem, Massasoit, and a council of young men who had proven themselves in battle and older men chosen for their wisdom.

Prior to 1621, the English were openly contemptuous of Native Americans. Bradford and Massasoit, however, grew to respect each other. Together, they wrote a treaty that brought harmony and more civil relations between Native Americans and Pilgrims that was unique in New England and outlasted Massasoit and the original Pilgrim leaders. The treaty, broken by King Philip’s War some 50 years later, stated that none of Massasoit's men would harm the Pilgrims, and if they did, Massasoit would send them to the Pilgrims for punishment. And if anyone made an unjust war against a Wampanoag, the Pilgrims would come to the aid of the Wampanoag. But, as Carlton was quick to point out, the treaty had nothing to do with friendship.

In 2003 Carlton met with a gentleman by the name of Paul Weeden, otherwise known as Deerfoot. Deerfoot is a direct-line descendant of Massasoit. So, in a way, there they were again, in different bodies and different clothes, living in a vastly changed world some 400 years later. The sons of the sons of the sons.

What would Carlton and Deerfoot’s forebears think about today’s world? What would they say to each other now?

SPI has a video recording (VHS) of the meeting between Carlton and Deerfoot in its library. If there is interest, we can tech-transfer and make it available via a Vimeo link.

Carlton’s Story Preservation recording can be found in the 4-12 Learning Lab, Humanities, American History, or click here to be redirected.

In closing, almost everything we know about the first Thanksgiving in 1621 is based on a few lines from a letter, as seen below.

"Our harvest being gotten in, our governor sent four men on fowling, that so we might after a special manner rejoice together, after we had gathered the fruits of our labors; they four in one day killed as much fowl, as with a little help beside, served the Company almost a week, at which time amongst other Recreations, we exercised our Arms, many of the Indians coming amongst us, and amongst the rest their greatest king Massasoit, with some ninety men, whom for three days we entertained and feasted, and they went out and killed five Deer, which they brought to the Plantation and bestowed on our Governor, and upon the Captain and others. And although it be not always so plentiful, as it was at this time with us, yet by the goodness of God, we are so far from want, that we often wish you partakers of our plenty."

–Edward Winslow, December, 1621

In this terribly difficult and tumultuous time, Story Preservation wishes all a season of peace. May we find our way forward with cooperation, compassion, understanding, and respect. A blessed Thanksgiving to all in the SPI sphere.

Shown above: The Signing of the Mayflower Compact by J.L.G. Ferris. Description: Passengers of the Mayflower signing the "Mayflower Compact" including Carver, Winston, Alden, Myles Standish, Howland, Bradford, Allerton, and Fuller.

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