course, have been none other than Solomon Prower. Dr. Young, in his
“Chronicles,” speaking of Martin, says, “he brought his wife and two
children.” If this means Martin’s children, it is evidently an
error. It may refer to age only. His case is puzzling, for
Bradford makes him both “servant” and “son.” If of sufficient age
and account to be cited before the Archdeacon for discipline, it
seems strange that he should not have signed the “Compact.” Even if
a “servant” this would seem to have been no bar, as Dotey and
Leister were certainly such, yet signers. The indications are that
he was but a well-grown lad, and that his youth, or severe illness,
and not his station, accounts for the absence of his signature. If
a young foster-son or kinsman of Martin, as seems most likely, then
Martin’s signature was sufficient, as in the cases of fathers for
their sons; if really a “ser vant” then too young (like Latham and
Hooke) to be called upon, as were Dotey and Leister.
John Langemore; there is nothing (save the errors
of Dr. Young) to
indicate that he was
other than a “servant.”
Richard Warren was probably from Kent or Essex.
Surprisingly little is
known of his antecedents,
former occupation, etc.
William Mullens and his family were, as shown, from
Dorking in Surrey,
and their home was therefore
close to London, whence they sailed,
beyond doubt, in the
may-Flower. The discovery at Somerset
House,
London, by Mr. Henry
F. Waters, of Salem, Massachusetts; of what is
evidently the nuncupative
will of William Mullens, proves an
important one in many
particulars, only one of which need be
referred to in this
connection, but all of which will receive due
consideration.
It conclusively shows Mr. Mullens not to have been
of the Leyden congregation,
as has sometimes been claimed, but that
he was a well-to-do
tradesman of Dorking in Surrey, adjacent to
London. It renders
it certain, too, that he had been some time
resident there, and
had both a married daughter and a son (William),
doubtless living there,
which effectually overthrows the “imaginary
history” of Baird,
and of that pretty story, “Standish of Standish,”
whereby the Mullens
(or Molines) family are given French (Huguenot)
antecedents and the
daughter is endowed with numerous airs, graces,
and accomplishments,
professedly French.