Thomas Tinker was a Separatist who came to the New World on the Mayflower. While little is known about him, he was a signer of the Mayflower Compact, and William Bradford mentioned him in his memoirs.
He arrived with his wife and son in Plymouth, and the family did not survive the first winter.
There are some theories surrounding his origins and his father, but nothing has been proven.
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The Mayflower departed Plymouth, England, on September 6/16, 1620. The small, 100-foot ship had 102 passengers and a crew of about 30-40 in extremely cramped conditions.
By the second month out, the ship was being buffeted by strong westerly gales, causing the ship's timbers to be badly shaken with caulking failing to keep out sea water and with passengers, even in their berths, lying wet and sick.
This, combined with a lack of proper rations and unsanitary conditions for several months, attributed to what would be fatal for many, especially the majority of women and children.
Family Overview
It is unknown exactly when Thomas Tinker was born, but it would have been 1600 or a little before. He became a citizen of Leiden, Holland, in 1617 when he was 17 years old.
By the time he is mentioned with his wife and son heading to the New World, he would have been around 20 years old.
His wife and son's names are unknown, and the two are only mentioned when they board the Mayflower and when they die.
The first winter was a rough time in American History because of how many deaths occurred. About half of the colonists died in the first winter, which took many children and made many children orphans.
Family Tree Chart
Parents: Unknown
Spouse: Unknown
Children: Unknown Son
Siblings: Unknown