Season's Greetings to all of you.....
In honor of my newly found ancestor, Edward Doty, I thought I'd share a
description of Christmas Day, 1620, Plymouth Colony, Massachusetts. Edward
Doty was one of the passengers on The Mayflower and, as I discovered only
recently, he was my g-g-g-g-g-g-g-g-grandfather! (Sometimes family research
is tedious and unrewarding, but sometimes.....it's NOT!) The following is from
William Bradford's Of Plymouth Plantation, 1620-1647 [words in the brackets
are mine]:
"On the day called Christmas Day, the Governor called them out to work as
was used. But the most of this new company excused themselves and said it
went against their consciences to work on that day. So the Governor told them
that if they made it a matter of conscience, he would spare them till they were
better informed; so he led away the rest and left them. [English Puritans
objected to the celebration of Christmas as pagan revelry, because they didn't
believe December 25 was the correct date of the Nativity.] But when they came
home at noon from their work, he found them in the street at play, openly; some
pitching the bar, and some at stool-ball and such like sports. [ Stool-ball was
a game resembling cricket.] So he went to them and took away their
implements and told them that it was against his conscience that they should
play and others work [the good Governor sure knew how to make a point.....]. If
they made the keeping of it a matter of devotion, let them keep to their houses;
but there should be no gaming or reveling in the streets. Since which time
nothing hath been attempted that way, at least, openly."
From what I've read of my 8-g-grandfather, Edward, I'm pretty sure he would
have been among the "revelers." And, judging from the records he left behind in
any number of controversies and court cases, I'd guess he didn't surrender his
"implements" without a fight. (There's a trouble-maker in every crowd, and
wouldn't you know MY ancestor would've been the one in Plymouth!?!)
I've thought a lot about those brave souls, huddled on that little ship,
sailing toward a new and unknown life, risking everything for religious freedom
and/or the opportunities they hoped to find in New England. I've read quite a
bit about them lately and I've found that they were indeed a courageous,
resilient, hardy and determined lot (if, in Edward's case, occasionally
cantankerous....) They overcame unimaginable adversity. They risked their lives
and grieved over their losses. They willingly sacrificed individual well-being
for the sake of the group. When times were at their most difficult, they
persevered with unfailing belief that they would ultimately overcome.
The world has done a lot of changing since Edward and his fellow
"adventurers" first set foot on Plymouth Rock. But the best of the qualities
they possessed....courage, a willingness to sacrifice, perseverance, steadfast
belief in a better tomorrow.....we've recently been reminded that they're alive
and well in America today, aren't they? We find them in the courage and
perseverance of the firefighters who, while grieving their losses, still labor
with unshakable resolve at ground zero.....in the bravery and commitment of the
members of the military, who fight beside the Northern Alliance to free
Afghanistan from the Taliban....in the self-sacrifice of hundreds of American
aid workers in dozens of countries around the world, working tirelessly,
sometimes at great risk.....in the resilient citizens of New York City, stunned
and saddened, but determined to go forward with their lives.....and in the
hearts of all Americans, who resolutely believe in a brighter and better
tomorrow.
Wouldn't Edward and the others be proud?
I wish you all a wonderful Christmas, a bright and happy new
year and lots of new branches to add to your family tree!
Nancy
Edward Doty, London, England > Plymouth, MA
Samuel Doty, Plymouth, MA > Piscataway, NJ
James Doty, Piscataway, NJ
Benajah Doty, Piscataway, NJ > Onslow Co., NC
Nancy Doty Warren, NJ > Laurens Co., GA
Benajah Warren, Montgomery Co., GA > Jefferson Co., MS
Abba Ann Warren Garrett, Montgomery Co., GA > Jefferson Co., MS
Josiah Garrett, Jefferson Co., MS
Edgar Garrett, Jefferson Co., MS > Franklin Co., MS
Nancy Florelle Garrett Jackson,Jefferson Co,MS > New
Orleans,LA > Pearl River Co,MS
Nancy Lee Jackson Brister, New Orleans, LA > Pearl River Co.,
MS
James Michael Brister, Jr., New Orleans, LA > Pearl River
Co., MS