John Blunden ALDEN was born in 1599 in Harwich, Essex, England. He died on 12 Sep 1687 in Duxbury, Plymouth, Massachusetts. John married (MRIN:5121) Priscilla MULLENS in 1622 in Plymouth, Plymouth, Massachusetts.

BIOGRAPHY: Memorial of the Descendants of the Hon. John Alden
Ebenezer Alden, M. D.
Randolph, Mass.
Printed by Samuel P. Brown
1867 - Page 1

 

Hon. John Alden, ancestor of most persons bearing the name Alden in this country, was one of the Plymouth Pilgrims, and the last male survivor of those who came in the Mayflower, and signed the compact in her cabin in 1620. He was not of the Leyden Church, but, as Bradford in his " History of Plimouth Plantation" informs us, " was hired for a cooper at Southampton, where the ship victuled; and being a hopful yong man was much desired, but left to his own liking to go or stay when he came here; but he stayed and maryed here."

 

He was distinguished for practical wisdom, integrity and decision, and early acquired and retained during his long life a commanding influence over his associates. He was much employed in public business; was an assistant to the Governor for many years: and in every position he occupied fulfilled his duties promptly and to the satisfaction of his employers. His ancestors in England have not been traced, so far as is known to the writer.

 

He was born in 1599, and died at Duxbury 12th September 1687, "in a good old age, and old man, and full years; and was gathered to his people, and his sons buried him."

 

He m. probably in 1621, Pricilla, dau. of Mr. William Molines, or Mullens, who with his wife came also in the Mayflower, and both died in the February succeeding their landing. Tradition represents Priscilla to have been very beautiful in her youth; and John also was comely person; and considering his other accomplishments, it is not surprising, that when he was sent by Captain Standish, after the death of his wife, to solicit her hand in marriage, she preferred the messenger to the message.

 

Their residence after a few years was in Duxbury, on the north side of the village, on a farm which is still in possession of their descendants of the seventh generation, having never been alienated.

 

He made no will, having distributed the greater part of his estate among his children during his life time. Jonathan, his third son with whom he resided on the old homestead, administered on his estate, and made a final settlement with the heirs, June 13, 1688.

 

As only eight children are named in this instrument, it was supposed until recently that he had no more. Bradford, however, states in his history, that at the time of his writing, John Alden and his wife Priscilla were both living, and had eleven children; and that their eldest daughter was living, and had five children.

A Genealogical Dictionary of  The First Settlers of New England, Before 1692 Volume #1 by James Savage)

 

John Alden, Plymouth, passenger in the first ship 1620, had not been associated at Leyden with the pilgrims, but was hired at Southampton as a cooper, with right of staying on this side or return. married 1623, Priscilla, daughter of William Mullins, who as well as his wife died the first February after landing. We know only eight children by their names, John, born perhaps 1623; Joseph, David, Jonathan, Elizabeth, Sarah, Ruth, and Mary; but in Bradford we find him and wife living in 1650, "and have eleven children and their eldest daughter hath five children" Of these in May 1627, at the division of cattle, only John and Elizabeth are named, so that the other nine were born later, but their dates of birth are not heard. He lived most of his days at Duxbury, was representative 1641, yet had been chosen an Assistant for the Colony 1633, to Governor Winslow, and served 42 years in that office, to every Governor after Carver. Idly would tradition attempt to magnify his merit, as the first to jump upon the rock at Plymouth landing when he was not of the party in the shallop that discoved the harbor, but continued on board ship at Cape Cod. He was the last male survivor of the signers of the compact in that harbor, Nov. 1620, and died 12 Sept. 1687, aged 84, or, by other account 88. Of the daughters Elizabeth married 18 Dec. 1644, William Peabody and died 3 May 1717, aged 94, says her grave stone; Sarah married Alexander Standish; Ruth married 12 May (Winsor has it 3 Feb.) 1657, John Bass of Braintree; and Mary married Thomas Delano.

DEATH: John Alden,died intestate; estate settled June 13, 1688, subscribed by Alexander Standish in ye right of my wife Sarah deceased, John Bass in ye right of my wife Ruth deceased, Mary Alden, Thomas Dillano, John Alden, Joseph Alden, David Alden, Priscilla Alden, William Paybody.

 

Source: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~knight57/direct/knight/aqwg508.htm#9139