Histories

John Alden, a passenger on the "Mayflower" in 1620, has not been associated at Leyden with the pilgrims. He was hired at Southhampton as a cooper (barrel maker), with the right of staying on this side or returning . He was the 7th signer of thr "Mayflower Compact" and the last survivor of the signers. He was a member of Myles Standish's Militia Company at Duxbury. John was a man of great importance in Plymouth and later Duxbury, where he died. He was a representative for Duxbury in 1641, and was chosen an Assistant to Governor Winslow (of the Colony) in 1633, and served in that office for 42 yearswhere he was the assistant to every Governor after Carver.

John Alden was the seventh and last surviving signer of the Mayflower Compact. He served in Captain Myles Standish's Duxbury Company in 1643, was governor's assistant from 1632 to 1640, 1650, and 1686; was deputy to the General Court in 1641, 1642, 1644 and 1649; a member of the Council of War in 1646 et seq.; and acting deputy governor, 1644 and 1677.
His house, built in 1653, is still standing and is preserved and owned by the Alden Kindred of America.

In a deposition made on 6 July 1682, John said he was aged 83 years or thereabout, yielding birth date between 6 July 1598 to 5 July 1589. At his death, on 12 Sept 1597, a broadside was printed stating that he was 89 years of age, yielding a birth date between 12 Sept 1597 and 11 Sept 1598. Combined they give us a range of 6 July 1598 to 11 Sept 1598, or thereabouts.

Sent by Miles Standish to ask Priscilla Mullins to marry him. Instead, she responded, "Speak for yourself, John Alden." He did and they were married three years after landing at Plymouth Rock with other Mayflower passengers. He later served as Assistant Governor of the Plymouth Bay Colony (1633-75). He and Priscilla had 13 children, the eldest of whom was David. Emigrated to MA in 1620 on the Mayflower. He was reportedly the last male survivor of the Mayflower Co. One of 7 well persons caring for others the 1st winter.

Illustrious descendants are: John Quincy Adams, Alden Bradford, Henry W. Longfellow, & Danus Bradford.