A PILGRIM FATHER

Evening Star, Issue 23325, 22 July 1939, Page 3

A PILGRIM FATHER

ELIZABETHAN MANOR HOUSE SAVED The Elizabethan manor house at Austerfield, near Doncaster, traditionally associated with the Pilgrim Father Governor William Bradford, has been saved from threatened demolition, and is to be preserved by the owner. Miss E. Pennington, of Bawtry. ■ Because of the condition of the house the Doncaster Rural District Council scheduled the property for demolition. Miss Pennington restored the property, giving air undertaking that it should nob be used for habitation, and is retaining the house for the benefit of sightseers. The association with William Bradford is based on an entry in the parish register at Austerfield dated March 19, 1589, relating to the baptism of William, son of William Bradford. William Bradford, jun., is said to be “ the first American citizen of the English race to bear rule by free choice over bis brethren.” At the ago of 17 Bradford was converted to the separatist movement and joined! the Scrooby brethren in the neighbouring village. In 1608, under pressure of opposition to their movement, the brethren left for Holland. Bradford became one of the leaders of the' Pilgrim Fathers who sailed! in the Mayflower. He was chosen Governor of the Plymouth Plantation, and he and his supporters endeavoured to lay the foundations of an ideal commonwealth. There are no descendants of Bradford in the Austerfield district now.