John Howland was born in Fernstanton, England in about 1591 to Henry Howland (?-1635) and Margaret (?-1629). John left England aboard the Mayflower in 1620 accompany Governor Carver as his manservant. John almost didn't survive the trip to America as he was thrown from the ship during a storm but was lucky enough to grab on to a top sail. At this point, John did not have any children so 1000's of his descendants including me wouldn't exist today had he not grabbed that top sail.
Though John was just a servant aboard the ship he was a signer on the Mayflower compact on 11 Nov 1620.
On 23 Mar 1623, John married Elizabeth Tilley (1607-1687), whose family also traveled over on the Mayflower and Elizabeth's father John also signed the Mayflower compact. Both of Elizabeth's parents died during the first winter in America.
John and Elizabeth had 10 children and it is believed that since all ten survived to adulthood and had children of their own that John and Elizabeth have more descendants living today than any other Mayflower passenger.
- Desire (my 11th great grandmother; 1623-1683)
- John (1627-1693)
- Hope (1629-1683)
- Elizabeth (1631-1683)
- Lydia (1633-1711)
- Hannah (1637-?)
- Joseph (1640-1704)
- Jabez (1644-1712)
- Ruth (1646-1679)
- Isaac (1649-173)
In 1632, John was elected Assistant Governor and served in that role until 1635.
John died on 23 Feb 1672 or 1673 and is buried at Burial Hill in Plymouth, Massachusetts.
Check out: http://victoriajosfamilystories.blogspot.com/2015/03/john-howland-mayflower-man-overboard-52.html for more interesting information on John Howland.
