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John Tilley

Circa 1571 — Between 1620 and 1621probably Henlow, Bedfordshire, England
A life in the family record.
BornCirca 1571
DiedBetween 1620 and 1621
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The life of John Tilley

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On the exploring party

John Tilley's name appears in the roster of the party that left the Mayflower on December 6, 1620 to explore the Cape Cod coast in present-day Massachusetts. His brother Edward was listed too. The published account describes bitter cold, freezing sea spray and men dividing their work between the boat and the shore. At night the party made a barrier of branches and logs and kept fires burning.

The subsequent encounter involved arrows and musket fire.

His earlier life belonged to Henlow in Bedfordshire, England. Baptized there on December 19, 1571, he was a son of Robert Tilley. He married the widowed Joan Hurst Rogers on September 20, 1596. Five children were baptized to them, the youngest being Elizabeth in 1607. Joan also had a daughter from her first marriage.

John, Joan and Elizabeth crossed the Atlantic together. Edward Tilley and Agnes Tilley formed a separate travelling household. John signed the Mayflower Compact in November 1620, then took part in the December exploration.

Both John and Joan died during that winter, while Elizabeth survived. No secure day of death has been established for either parent. John's surviving record ends with the loss of the household he and Joan had brought from Henlow.

The five children named in the parish account were Rose, who died young, John, a second Rose, Robert and Elizabeth. The children other than Elizabeth did not accompany their parents on the Mayflower.

Family relationships

Partners

Joan Hurst Rogers Tilley →Circa 1567–1568 — Between 1620 and 1621Marriage · 20 September 1596

Children with Joan Hurst Rogers Tilley

Elizabeth Tilley Howland →Circa 1607 — 21 December 1687Strong confidence in this parent–child link

A life in dates

11 events

  1. Birth

    Probable birth — Henlow.

    Henlow, England, United Kingdom

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  2. Connection to this place

    Mayflower voyage — North Atlantic Ocean.

    North Atlantic Ocean

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  3. Connection to this place

    Memorial association — Coles Hill.

    Coles Hill, Massachusetts, United States

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  4. Connection to this place

    Memorial association — Burial Hill.

    Burial Hill, Massachusetts, United States

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  5. Compact Signature

    Signed the Mayflower Compact after crossing with Joan and Elizabeth.

    Cape Cod, Massachusetts, United States

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  6. Coastal Exploration

    Joined the party that left the Mayflower to explore Cape Cod.

    Cape Cod, Massachusetts, United States

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  7. Connection to this place

    Baptism and marriage — Henlow.

    Henlow, England, United Kingdom

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  8. Connection to this place

    First winter and death — Plymouth (Patuxet), Massachusetts.

    Plymouth (Patuxet), Massachusetts, United States

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  9. Connection to this place

    Probable first-winter burial area — Coles Hill.

    Coles Hill, Massachusetts, United States

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  10. Connection to this place

    Probable final Mayflower departure — Plymouth, Devon, England.

    Plymouth, Devon, England, United Kingdom

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  11. Connection to this place

    Probable mayflower arrival region — Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

    Cape Cod, Massachusetts, United States

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Notes & sources

    Family records

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