1. Eight United States Presidents are known to have been Mayflower Descendants. They are: John Adams, John Quincy Adams, Ulysses S. Grant, Zachary Taylor, James Garfield, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, George H.W. Bush, and George W. Bush.
2. John Carver was elected first Governor of Plymouth Colony on November 11, 1620 (the date the Mayflower Compact was signed).
3. The longest-serving Governor or Plymouth Colony was William Bradford, who held the position for 30 years. Bradford was elected in 1621 and served as Plymouth Colony Governor for 30 of the next 35 years— During the 5 years in which he declined to accept his election, Thomas Prence and Edward Winslow served instead.
4. A man named Christopher Martin was designated by the Mayflower’s merchant adventurers in London to “maintain order on the ship.” Martin was not popular with the Pilgrims and held no position of authority once the Mayflower reached Plymouth. He died during the first winter.
References: One hundred a& Eleven Questions & Answers Concerning the Pilgrims, by William P. Muttart and Linda R. Ashley
