What do we know about Pilgrim Elder William Brewster?

On Sunday April 12, 2015, the General Society of Mayflower Descendants (GSMD) invited author Barbara Lambert Merrick to present "What do we really know about Elder William Brewster?" at the Mayflower Society House in Plymouth, MA.
Merrick discussed new facts uncovered during research for The Descendants of Elder William Brewster, Part 1, Generations 1 through 4, volume 24 of the GSMD Silver Books Series.
She guided listeners through the thirty year journey that lead to the compilation of the new Brewster book, edited by Scott Andrew Bartley and published by GSMD. Editor Bartley also offered a few remarks. The presentation was followed by a question and answer session.
The book offers readers a comprehensive look at the first four generations of the family descending from Mayflower Pilgrim Elder William Brewster. The introduction to the book details major changes to approved Brewster lineages and the work is finished with an all-name index created by Jane Fletcher Fiske.
To purchase the book: bit.ly/18RrYH9
About The Mayflower Society
Founded in 1897, The Mayflower Society, or General Society of Mayflower Descendants (GSMD), is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with national headquarters in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Membership requires proof of lineage from one of the passengers who traveled to America on the Mayflower in 1620. Its educational mission includes telling the story of the Pilgrims as well as maintaining the highest standards possible for genealogy research into the lineage of the Pilgrims. The Society operates a genealogy research library at its Plymouth headquarters and publishes the GSMD Silver Books, a series of genealogy books that follow the descendants of the Mayflower passengers. It also operates and offers tours of the historic Mayflower Society House.
Website: themayflowersociety.org
Facebook: themayflowersociety
Twitter: gsmd
Instagram: themayflowersociety

[@edwardjohnson7059]

Amazing what you find on YT.. My daughter owns a house in Scrooby literally 100 Metres from Willam Brewsters home in England.. Another of my daughters was married in the Little Church at Babworth where William would go to listen to Richard Clifton preach.. it's like 1mile from my home and the town my family have lived in for 100s of years.. We're probably related ;)

[@montykid3ify]

Just found out from my Grandpa that I’m a direct descendant of William Brewster, pretty cool folks!

[@LvnLlfe6]

I learned just last week William Brewster is my 10th great grandfather!

[@zelphx]

Hey cousin!

[@jessikamoore5033]

He is my 12th great grandfather

[@bruhmagic1323]

He’s my relative too!

[@walterkentriley9829]

We are Related!! Are you A Believer of the Lord Jesus Christ!?

[@MrBrwstr]

Whats up cousins.. Let's take a stand for freedom like our fore fathers?

[@jessikamoore5033]

William Brewster is my 12th great grandfather just found out today.

[@lololass2066]

cool! i am a decendent too! his son love is my lineage. guess we are related haha

[@hedymartin763]

He is my 11th GGF (through Love Brewster) and my husband's 12th GGF (through Jonathan Brewster). Very proud of our heritage 8-)

[@carmellawalker3551]

Me too

[@jessikamoore5033]

So you and your husband are related? I am a 12th great granddaughter of William Brewster so I am related to both of you.

[@jessikamoore5033]

I am from Jonathon's line.

[@skynicewonger]

@@jessikamoore5033 me too also a 12th great granddaughter from Jonathan’s line!!

[@deirdrepaynter768]

I am from Jonathan's line as well through his daughter Elizabeth. It goes down through Geer's, Barnhart's and then to Wells.

[@joyful_tanya]

I'm a descendant through my maternal line. My grandmother's mother's lineage. I found it on my family tree online. It explains a lot. My grandfather was a minister. Thank you for this.

[@zelphx]

He was my 10th great-grandfather... just got ALL my paperwork completed (and verified), and I am waiting for the good news from GSMD. I have NO IDEA why I waited so long to do this.

[@SkillciaX]

My 10th too!

[@zelphx]

@@SkillciaX AWESOME! Are you in the Society?

[@alyciamiller619]

Hi everyone! It’s so cool to found out I’m relative to Mary and William Brewster their daughter Patience is my 13th grandma!

[@LvnLlfe6]

I’m also related thru Patience! William was my 10th great grandfather.

[@lololass2066]

cool! i am a decendent too! his son love is my lineage. guess we are related haha

[@carlabaker1925]

Patience is my 11th great grandmother! :)

[@alyciamiller619]

That’s awesome!!

[@carolleidlein8522]

I am also a descendant from William and Mary Brewster through their daughter, Patience Brewster m. Thomas Prence and their daughter, Mercy. I am blessed to have this godly heritage and endeavor to pass it to my children and grandchildren.

[@kimberlyannethompson5983]

I just learned that William Brewster is my Great Great Great Great Great Great Great Great Great Great Great Grandfather- pretty interesting to watch this and learn more about him. Thanks for sharing General Society of Mayflower Descendants!!

[@daniellebrown3700]

Kimberly Anne Thompson he’s mine too

[@funkyfresh4242]

Yooooo he's mine as well. Just completed my family tree.

[@teacher3031]

William is a great grandfather and Jonathan is as well. Great to learn more about him. Thank you for sharing.

[@jessikamoore5033]

Same that is how I am connected to William. What family do you come from?

[@sheilar1607]

Elder William Brewster is my late 12th Great Grandfather, his son Jonathan Brewster is my 11th Great Grandfather. I'm wishing to learn all that I can about the history of all of my Ancestors. Thank you for this wonderful video.

[@ianfitzpatrick2230]

Really shocking how many descendants he has! I found out through ancestry I’m an 11th generation descendant. Never knew I had family on the mayflower and I’m very grateful to have learned otherwise!

[@martinsilva1985]

I've always been interested in the history of the pilgrims and Puritans. I'm also a direct descendant of William Brewster through his son son Jonathan and Jonathan's wife Lucretia Oldham. He was my 11th great grandfather.

[@joyful_tanya]

Me too. Then it goes through Benjamin Brewster and Anna Addis through Charles DeWolf and Prudence Beckworth. It's on my maternal, grandmother's, mother's family.

[@rachelmerrill6795]

Me too!! Hi cousin

[@lynnprince7725]

Descendant here also. Williams son Jonathan married Lucretia Oldham and gave birth to Mary Brewster who married John Turner and had Ruth who then married one of my great- great- grandpas- Thomas Prince. Before any internet my grandpa had all of this info written down for us grandkids.

[@zelphx]

Wm. Brewster was my 10th great-grandfather. The pride I have felt in my lifetime has been absolutely BURSTING. (BTW: Brewster-Graham-Greenwood is the line)

[@carmellawalker3551]

He was my 13th grandfather too

[@lololass2066]

cool! i am a decendent too! his son love is my lineage. guess we are related haha

[@funkyfresh4242]

Brewster-Pratt-Ramage for me.

[@emilyiskawaii2]

William Brewster was my great great great great great i don't know how many greats but great grandfather. This whole comment section is my whole family that I never knew. 😮

[@trreb1]

Descendant here as well. I am William N. Brewster Jr.

[@stanfordfootball868]

trreb1 that means we are related somehow!!!!!!!

[@bennysjets2059]

trreb1 I am too

[@notserenapfft]

Same!! Wow we are related!

[@pkoby1]

William Elder Brewster is my 11th great grandfather!

[@earlofsmeg]

Hey Brewster. My mother is Brewster as well.

[@TTTT-if9cy]

Interesting. I have a 1709 manuscript written by William Brewster's great grandson.

[@waltermoody9915]

Manuscript of what if you don't mind my asking. Descendant on Love Brewster side and doing a little digging for my son's school project.

[@TTTT-if9cy]

+Walter Moody One is power of attorney and the other is land deed. Both are related to Jonathan Brewster's grandson. Jonathan Brewster is Love Brewster's elder brother.

[@TheWalterMoody]

+TT TT Check 10-4. Very cool to have some original documents like that. I guess I am finally old enough to appreciate all I am finding out and it gives a good perspective to my son. My mom had a couple spoons that were handed down that supposedly came across on the Mayflower.

[@TheWalterMoody]

+TT TT I forgot to say thank you for sharing and replying TT TT. Have a great day and keep up the good work...represent;-)

[@TTTT-if9cy]

+TheWalterMoody Thank you. It's really difficult to find Mayflower relics today. You should be pround of those spoons. They are absolutely family heirlooms and should be passed down generation by generation:)

[@SirRonSwanson]

Just found out yesterday that I'm a direct descendant of William Brewster! The tree keeps getting bigger and bigger!

[@mildredbird3346]

Me to n I'm in England. My tree is all across USA bike belt utah n Massachusetts. Connecticut. New England. Hi to all out the . I'm in yorks. England

[@SkillciaX]

William Brewster was my 10th great grandfather!

[@abbyandrews5644]

We’re all cousins 😂

[@Mrclarkepayne]

My grandmother has 2 of William's Diary's...no joke. When he ran back home and when he was on the mayflower, and when they got to America. Can hardly see the writing its so old

[@meganschultz2919]

My great grandmother is turning 100 nov 2 2019. i was wondering if you could print me a copy of his 2 diarys book and send them to me im dorect descendent of him

[@oldpirate8080]

Thanks for posting this!

[@philrisotto8804]

Are you a Rich from Truro MA?

[@reneestuckyneale1599]

William Brewster is my great grandfather at least two times, possibly 3. I am still researching and have entered one of the lines for a supplemental application.

[@Buzzbait321]

I'm descendant from him, through John Brown the abolitionist, who was related to at least two of the Mayflower pilgrims.

[@Mrclarkepayne]

WE HAVE THE OLDEST BLOODLINES IN AMERICA.

[@joshuahughes9212]

Descendant here too. From his son Jonathan.

[@zaidamaganda]

I constantly meet Mayflower descendants. So many cousins.

[@kellibertino7423]

Just found out that he is my 12th Great Grandfather through his son Jonathan. My daughter and I are very interested in any information that could help with our journey in genealogy.

[@politicalpartyagnostic268]

I am a descendant as well. William Brewster is my 11th Great Grandfather. 👍🏻

[@lololass2066]

cool! i am a decendent too! his son love is my lineage. guess we are related haha

[@amyz6290]

This was one of my great Grandfathers

[@redrobindavis]

Here is a link for ordering the book: www.themayflowersociety.org/news-events/item/166-much-awaited-elder-william-brewster-silver-book-is-released

[@abbyandrews5644]

He’s my direct line 16th great grandfather

[@zelphx]

Hello, distant cousin! :)

[@keenwilliams2755]

He's my 14th great grandpa so I'm a distant great uncle.

[@carmellawalker3551]

He is my 13th great grandfather

[@mads2695]

I'm a direct descendant. He's my 14th great grandfather!

[@kimbermorgan1971]

Maddy Kenny He's my 12th great grandfather..Are you on ancestry.com?

[@subliminal_entertainment]

I’m 13th lol

[@funkyfresh4242]

Damn he's my 10th great grandfather.

[@sl4202]

William is my 12th great grandfather, Jonathan is my 11th.

[@stanfordfootball868]

I am related to him

[@meganschultz2919]

I related to william Brewster

[@abayless3816]

Wow, distant cousins! I also am decended from him.

[@munchtyme2128]

I'm also a direct descendant!

[@funkyfresh4242]

He was my 10th great grandfather.

[@brianmartin7329]

Also Brewster descendant my great great grandparents were Brewster..traveled from new New York in 1865 to michigan.

[@brianmartin7329]

With a pit stop for 2 years in Ohio before moving on.

[@Mikielike]

William Brewster is my 12th GG grandfather his and Mary's daughter Patience ❤️ is my 11th GGgrandmother,

[@patriciahuntsman6617]

I wish there was a way to get the book that wasn't so costly. $60.00 is a lot!

[@ccrum1127]

Elder William Brewster my 14th Great Grandfather...also related to Isaac Allerton 13th Great Grandfather, William White 2nd cous 13x rem..

[@dawnmcmahon2439]

William bruster is my 2-3 great grandpa

[@TAJHTHMAHALTH]

I am a direct descendant from eldest son Jonathan Brewster, living in Hawai‘i!

[@jessikamoore5033]

I just found out I am also! From Jonathon. Who is your family?

[@walterkentriley9829]

I am related to him in my mother's side

[@hplamack]

I'm a direct descendant as well

[@mads2695]

Same!

[@GermanHockey]

He is my 14th Great Grandfather through his son Jonathan Brewster, my 13th Great Grandfather

[@TAJHTHMAHALTH]

German Hockey same!

[@simonbrewster6058]

same homie we related

[@rachelmerrill6795]

Same!

[@sabercat3452001]

Direct descendant here last name too

[@BananaPhoPhilly]

Hi, my mother's maiden name is Brewster, which is my middle name. Also a direct descendant.

[@muellergames681]

I’m a descendant from William brewer since one of my relatives is a Fargo witch can be traced to William brewer

[@christopherreed2326]

12th grandfather.

[@kerrymartin6582]

William Brewster is my 6 greatgrandfather

[@benwhite881]

i’m a direct descendent from him!!!

[@BarbaraBoronda]

I am a descendant

[@stanfordfootball868]

Everybody here is related just like me

[@daniellebrown3700]

I’m a grand daughter of Brewster but I have the last name brown because of something

[@Sigbuddy]

I'm a great great etc granddaughter of Constance Hopkins Snow

[@billbutler6926]

On my Mothers side, direct to Elder William Brewster.

[@sailorjake9170]

Relative also not sure how many greats lol 😝

[@solimarra]

Hi. How many languages Mr. Brewer spoke? Just English?

[@WisdomandHope]

Three, English, Latin, Greek.

[@racindiva85standsforrodeos32]

I'm relative to him "William Brewster "

[@carmellawalker3551]

Me too, my grandfather

[@lololass2066]

cool! i am a decendent too! his son love is my lineage. guess we are related haha

[@yvettegivens7]

I am one of his descendant via his daughter patience and the prence/prince line. :)

[@redrobindavis]

Hi Cousins! I am also a direct descendant of Wm. Brewster's daughter Patience and her husband, Gov. Thomas Prence.

[@yvettegivens7]

Robin Davis so cool to meet cousins!!

[@yvettegivens7]

Taylor Tapia hi cousin!!

[@RA4J]

me too!

[@notserenapfft]

Wow so many wonderful cousins!