A Pilgrim Father; born in
Scrooby, England, in 1560.
Educated at
Cambridge, he entered the service of
William Davidson, ambassador of Queen Elizabeth in
Holland.
The ambassador was much attached to
Brewster, and procured for him the office of postmaster at
Scrooby.
When his mind was turned very seriously towards religious subjects, he withdrew from the
Church of
England, and established a dissenting society, or rather a society of Separatists.
This new society worshipped on Sabbath days at
Mr. Brewster's house until persecution began to interrupt them.
He, with
Mr. Bradford and others, was among those who attempted to fly to
Holland in 1607.
(See
Robinson, John.) They were arrested and imprisoned at
Boston in
Lincolnshire.
As
Mr. Brewster had the most property, he was the greater sufferer.
At much expense he gained his liberty, and then he assisted the poorer members of the church to escape, following them himself soon afterwards.
At
Leyden he opened a school for teaching the
English language, to replenish his exhausted funds, He had then been an elder and teacher for some time.
By the assistance of some friends he procured a
printing-press, and published several books against the
English hierarchy.
In
Mr. Robinson's church in
Leyden Brewster was a ruling elder, and was so highly esteemed that he was chosen the spiritual guide of the “Pilgrims” who emigrated to
America.
He took with him to the wilderness his wife and numerous children.
It was upon the lid of his chest that the political compact was signed on board the
Mayflower.
At New Plymouth he supplied the vacant pulpit most of the time for
nine years, preaching very impressive sermons; but he could never be persuaded to administer the
Lord's supper, though he had the care of the church.
He died at
Plymouth, Mass., April 10, 1644.
