William White was a Pilgrim who sailed on the Mayflower to the Plymouth Colony. He had been excommunicated from the church in England for his beliefs, so he escaped to Leiden, Holland, as did many of the other Separatists.
He was followed to Holland by two of his half-siblings.
His niece Dorothy married William Bradford while in Leiden. It would be during this time that William White joined Henry Ainsworth's congregation of Separatists in Amsterdam. His half-brother, Henry May, was a leading elder of this congregation.
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William White boarded the Mayflower with his pregnant wife, son, and two servants. As they arrived in the New World, his wife gave birth to Peregrine.
Shortly before going onshore, the Pilgrims had a dispute. Many believed that since they were not settling where they were supposed to, they were not bound by English Law. Since they were not bound by English law, they made a new Constitution called the Mayflower Compact, which William signed.
William White would die within the first winter, as did many others. He left behind a wife and two little boys that would carry on his name.
Family Overview
Despite being the third child of his parents, he was the only child who survived infancy and, therefore, was an only child until the birth of his sister a few years later. By the time he was six years old, he had lost his mother and father to sickness.
It is unknown who raised him after the death of his parents, but was probably raised by a half-sibling.
He married Susanna Jackson in 1614, and the two would go on to have two sons who would live long lives for the time period.
After his death during the first winter, Susanna remarried Edward Winslow.
Family Tree Chart
Parents:
Edward White (1550 - 1593)
Thomasine Cross (1550 - 1591)
Spouse:
Susanna Jackson (1594 - 1675) - After her husband's death, she remarried Edward Winslow and had 5 more children.
Children:
Resolved White (1615 - 1687) - Despite his father's early death, he would live a decent age for the time. He and his brother would carry on his father's name.
Peregrine White (1620 - 1704) - He was born while the Mayflower was docked in the harbor, thus making him the first European-born baby for the colony.
Siblings:
Henry May (1572 - 1624)
John May (1576 - 1584)
Jacomine May (1580 -1616)
Barbara May (1583 - 1584)
Robert White (1585) - May have been a year prior, but died in 1585.
Thomasine White (1585) - Twin of Robert. Both passed away young
Martha White (1589 - 1608)