Governor Bradford Gets a Break

In the early days of Plymouth Colony, finding leaders was no easy task. It was so difficult that in 1633, Plymouth enacted a law that required anyone who was voted in as a governor or council member to accept the position or face fines or taxes. Just months after they first landed, Governor John Carver fell ill while working in the field, dying days later. It was then that William Bradford was thrust into leadership of the colony while still recovering from his own illness. 

Bradford guided the community for twelve years before he finally got a break from his tiring work as governor on January 1, 1633. Edward Winslow, a dependable leader and diplomat, was then chosen to replace him. 

Despite the challenges of finding leaders, the Plymouth Colony continued to grow but was outpaced by the newer Puritan colony to the north. John Winthrop's colony had more strict rules regarding who could vote or hold office, requiring individuals to be acknowledged members of the Puritan congregation to be considered full citizens.

Bradford's respite from the governorship was well-deserved, but short-lived. He was voted in several times again throughout his career. His legacy as a leader continued long after his time as governor. He served intermittently for about 30 years between 1621 and 1657 and even served as a commissioner of the United Colonies of New England on multiple occasions, and twice as president. The weary leader's work proved critical to the survival and success of the Plymouth Colony. 

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“I am not able to bear all this people alone, for it is too heavy for me.”

(Numbers 11:14; 1599 Geneva Bible)

Governor Eaton’s Final “Goodnight”

Anne had often expressed her desire to leave the colonies and go back to England, but her husband would always dismiss the idea. Theophilus Eaton, the wealthy and influential merchant, had invested far too much in their New England colony to abandon it. Eaton was one of the original investors and organizers of the Massachusetts Bay project, even before John Winthrop set sail from England with 800 colonists packed into eleven ships.

In 1637, Eaton and his lifelong friend, Reverend John Davenport, left England with two shiploads of colonists, driven by their dreams of a Puritan haven and financial opportunity. When they arrived in Boston, they found that Winthrop's conservative Puritan community was not conservative enough. Months later, they led hundreds of their people south along the coast to finally establish their well-financed religious utopia of New Haven. Eaton's stern and opinionated leadership sometimes caused controversy, but he was still elected governor every year for the rest of his life.

On the evening of January 7, 1658, Eaton felt unwell. After a meal, prayers, and Bible reading with the family, he said goodnight to his wife. Anne thought he looked sad. When he told her he was troubled by the conflicts in their community, she suggested once again that they return to England. "You may,” he said, “but I will die here." And that very night, he did. Shortly thereafter, Anne Eaton, long weary of life in the colonies, sailed back to spend her final days at home—in England.

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“But Moses’ father-in-law said unto him, The thing which thou doest, is not well. Thou both weariest thyself greatly, and this people that is with thee: for the thing is too heavy for thee: thou art not able to do it thyself alone.”

(Exodus 18:17-18; 1599 Geneva Bible)