Four Quartermasters are mentioned (probably helmsmen simply), of whom three are known to have died in Plymouth harbor.

“Masters-mates” are several times mentioned, but it is pretty certain that the “pilots” (or mates) are intended.  Bradford and Winslow, in “Mourt’s Relation,” say of the reappearance of the Indians:  “So Captain Standish, with another [Hopkins], with their muskets, went over to them, with two of the masters-mates that follow them without [side?] arms, having two muskets with them:  Who these “masters-mates” were does not appear.”  The language, “two of the masters-mates,” would possibly suggest that there were more of them.  It hardly seems probable that both the mates of the may-Flower would thus volunteer, or thrust themselves forward in such a matter, and it seems doubtful if they would have been permitted (even if both ashore at one time, which, though unusual, did occur), to assume such duty.  Whoever they were, they did not lack courage.

The names of the petty officers and seamen of the may-Flower do not appear as such, but the discovery of the (evidently) nuncupative will of William Mullens—­herein referred to—­has perhaps given us two of them.  Attached to John Carver’s certificate of the particulars of this will, filed at Somerset House, London, are the names, “Giles Heale” and “Christopher Joanes.”  As Mr Mullens died Wednesday, February 21, 1620, on board the may-Flower in Plymouth harbor, on which day we know from Bradford’ that “the Master [Jones, whose name was Thomas] came on shore with many of his sailors,” to land and mount the cannon on the fort, and as they had a full day’s work to draw up the hill and mount five guns, and moreover brought the materials for, and stayed to eat, a considerable dinner with the Pilgrims, they were doubtless ashore all day.  It is rational to interpret the known facts to indicate that in this absence of the Captain and most of his crew ashore, Mr. Mullens, finding himself failing fast, sent for Governor Carver and—­unable to do more than speak —­dictated to him the disposition of his property which he desired to make.  Carver, noting this down from his dictation, undoubtedly called in two of the ship’s company (Heale very likely being the ship’s-surgeon), who were left aboard to “keep ship,” to hear his notes read to Mullens and assented to by him, they thus becoming the witnesses to his will, to the full copy of which, as made by Carver (April 2), they affixed their names as such.  As there were then at Plymouth (besides savages) only the passengers and crew of the may-Flower, and these men were certainly not among the passengers, it seems inevitable that they were of the crew.  That “Christopher Joanes” was not the Master of the ship is clear, because Heale’s is the first signature, and no man of the crew would have dared to sign before the Captain; because the Captain’s name was (as demonstrated) Thomas; and because we