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John Billington Essay

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John Billington was born circa 1580 around Lincolnshire, England. Billington married his wife Eleanor in 1603 in England. John and Francis were their sons. The Billington’s were a poor family in England, so John jumped at the chance for a new life in a new world. The only catch was that they would have to work six days a week for “the company.” This contract lasted seven years, and gave all profit to the common stock. Life on the Mayflower was kept interesting thanks to the Billington’s. They were considered to be the troublemakers of the group. Their son, Francis, once shot off a musket while inside the Mayflower and almost blew up the entire ship. Things did not change when they landed in Plymouth. The new settlers did not have a patent …show more content…

He did not want to follow the rule of anti-Anglican religious separatists. In 1620, Billington insulted Miles Standish (the colony’s military adviser) by challenging his authority. John Billington was then sentenced to public humiliation -- his hands and feet were tied together. Years went on and the Billington’s continued to lead their reckless lives in the colony. In 1626 the colonists gained full ownership of the plantation. Land and cattle were divided among the colonists. John Billington did not receive what he expected. Despite being one of the original settlers, he was only given 63 acres and a home in the middle of the town, along with a share in the plantation’s livestock and rights in future distribution. Billington was not popular with the other settlers. He was not a member of the church, public office, and he lacked the ability to be one of the colony’s undertakers. Tensions were high due to Billington’s frustration with the colony. Matters were made worse when his son, John, died sometime between 1627 and 1630. Many believe that this was Billington’s tipping point. A dispute around that time between Billington and John Newcomen ended in Billington shooting and killing Newcomen in a field. John Billington was then hanged in September of 1630. John Billington is America’s first

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