William Brewster (l. 1568-1644 CE) was an elder of the Leiden congregation of separatists (later known as pilgrims) and their spiritual leader while onboard the Mayflower and later after the establishment of the Plymouth Colony. The pastor of the congregation, John Robinson (l. 1576-1625 CE), remained behind in Leiden, the Netherlands with the rest of the congregation when the pilgrims left in 1620 CE requiring Brewster, the next highest authority figure, to assume his responsibilities in the New World.
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Definition
Timeline
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1568 - 1644Life of William Brewster, Mayflower passenger, spiritual leader of Plymouth Colony.
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1580William Brewster is a student at Cambridge University.
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c. 1582 - 1587William Brewster serves as assistant to diplomat William Davison until Davison's arrest.
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1590William Brewster returns to his hometown of Scrooby, England; joins separatist congregation there.
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1592William Brewster marries his wife Mary at Scrooby, England; they open their home to the separatist congregation.
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1607Scrooby congregation is persecuted by Anglican Church; William Brewster arranges passage for them to the Netherlands.
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c. 1608 - 1618William Brewster sets up Pilgrim Press in Leiden, Netherlands, printing anti-Anglican literature.
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1618Orders are issued by King James I of England for the arrest of William Brewster on charges of treason for printing anti-Anglican literature; Brewster goes into hiding.
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1620William Brewster rejoins the congregation and sets sail on the Mayflower for North America.
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1620 - 1629William Brewster serves as spiritual leader of the Plymouth Colony in official capacity.
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1627Death of Mary, wife of William Brewster of Plymouth Colony; he never remarries.
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1629 - 1644William Brewster continues to serve as unofficial pastor and counselor to Plymouth Colony and adviser to its governors until his death.
