William Brewster

William Brewster was born in England between about 1560 and 1566. He studied at Cambridge and worked for the diplomat William Davison before returning to Scrooby, Nottinghamshire, where he succeeded his father as postmaster.[1,3]

An English Separatist congregation met in his home. After a failed departure in 1607 and imprisonment, its members reached the Netherlands, settling in Leiden in 1609. Brewster taught English and helped operate a press producing religious books and pamphlets.[3]

In 1620 he crossed to Plymouth on the Mayflower with his wife, Mary Brewster, and their sons Love and Wrestling. He served the congregation as its elder. Their other children included Jonathan, Patience, Fear and a child who died young.[3]

Brewster died at Plymouth on 10 April 1644. His estate included a substantial library.[3]