The Brewster House

William Brewster is the religious leader, though not an ordained minister. He served as Postmaster at Scrooby before he became a leading member of the Separatist congregation which moved to Leiden, Holland about 1608. In 1620, he and his family emigrated to the New World. Educated at Cambridge, Brewster's houshold inventory includes a significant collection of books.

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William Brewster was born, probably in Scrooby, Nottinghamshire, ca.1566 and died in Plymouth on April 10, 1644. He served as Elder of the Separatist church both in Leiden and Plymouth Colony. Brewster was one of the leading figures in Pilgrim history and served for many years as the religious leader of Plymouth Colony in the absence of a minster. William Bradford stated that Brewster had "many children" but only the five who emigrated to Plymouth are positively identified.

Details of Mary (_____) Brewster's early life are unknown. In a deposition made in Leiden in 1609 she gave her age as around 40, indicating that she was born ca1569. She was apparently in ill health for some years before her death. John Robinson in a December 20, 1623 letter to William Brewster stated, "I hope Mrs. Brewster's weak and decayed state of body will have some repairing by the coming of her daughters, ..." She died in Plymouth April 17, 1627.