Mayflower II – Here is an immaculately detailed replica of the original ship that the Pilgrims traveled in across the Atlantic Ocean

“Whatever the LORD pleases He does, in heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deep places.” Psalm 135:6

Written by Dr. Marcus J. Serven

When you celebrate Thanksgiving day this year with your family, take time to reflect upon the many ways that the Lord preserved and protected the Pilgrims. One fine example of this is the life of John Howland (c.1592-1672). We don’t know all of the details of his life. We do, however, have a stirring testimony of how the Lord protected him when he fell off the deck of the Mayflower in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean! Here is William Bradford’s account of this dramatic example of God’s providence and the circumstances of his rescue: 

Once, as they lay at hull in a terrible storm, a strong young man, called John Howland, coming on deck was thrown into the sea; but it pleased God that he caught hold of the top-sail halliards which hung overboard and ran out at length; but he kept his hold, though he was several fathoms under the water, till he was hauled up by the rope and then with a boat-hook helped into the ship and saved; and though he was somewhat ill from it he lived many years and became a profitable member both of the church and the commonwealth.

— William Bradford, Of Plymouth Plantation, Ch. IX, page 63

John Howland Overboard (a print by Mike Haywood)

Without the intervention of the Lord, the life of John Howland surely would have ended that stormy day in the mid-Atlantic. But, the Lord did intervene and preserved his life! I am certain that dangerous event caused John Howland to reflect on his own mortality and how God spared him from a certain death. He probably also considered what the Lord would have him do with the rest of his life. Here are a few details about what he did over the years:

John Howland (c.1592-1672)
  • He served as the secretary to Gov. John Carver (who died in the sickness of 1621).
  • He was the 13th signer of the Mayflower Compact that brought law and order to Plymouth Colony.
  • He married Elizabeth Tilley (whose father and mother died in the sickness of 1621).
  • He and Elizabeth were blessed with ten children. Here are their names: Desire, John, Hope, Elizabeth, Lydia, Hannah, Joseph, Jabez, Ruth, and Isaac.
  • He became a prosperous businessman and landowner in Plymouth.
  • He oversaw the Kennebec River Trading station and promoted the fur trade with England. 
  • He held several offices in Plymouth Colony throughout his life—a Freeman, Deputy to the General Court, Assistant Governor, and a Selectman of Plymouth Colony.
  • He was a faithful member of the church in Plymouth.

Finally, on his tombstone, surrounded by the graves of his many descendants, are the following words: 

Here ended the Pilgrimage of 

JOHN HOWLAND

who died February 23, 167_

aged above 80 years.

He married Elizabeth daughter of

JOHN TILLEY

who came with him in the 

Mayflower Dec. 1620.

From them are descended a

numerous posterity  

The life of John Howland is a wonderful example of God’s involvement in the lives of his people. The Bible teaches that the Lord providentially oversees and orders all of our actions (See: Gen. 50:20; Prov. 16:33; Matt. 10:30; Rom. 8:28). This fact can give us confidence in knowing that all the events of our life—both the good and bad—are used by God to accomplish his holy will. Life is full of challenges and difficulties, but as Christians we can know that the Lord is thoroughly involved in the details of our life. Let us trust Him in all that comes our way.

Here are three books on the Pilgrims that I have in my personal library–“The Landing of the Pilgrims” is especially good as an out-loud-reader for young children!

Sources: 

Beale, David. The Mayflower Pilgrims: Roots of Puritan, Presbyterian, Congregationalist, and Baptist Heritage. Greenville, SC: Ambassador-Emerald International, 2000. 

Bradford, Wiliam. Of Plymouth Plantation: Bradford’s History of the Plymouth Settlement (1608-1650). Bulverde, TX: Vision Forum and Mantle Ministries, 1998. 

Daugherty, James. The Landing of the Pilgrims. New York, NY: Landmark Books, 1950.

Gragg, Rod. The Pilgrim Chronicles: An Eyewitness History of the Pilgrims and the Founding of Plymouth Colony. Washington, DC: Regnery Publishing, 2014.

Willison, George F. Saints and Strangers. New York, NY: Reynal & Hitchcock, 1945.  

Rev. Dr. Marcus J. Serven, ThM and DMin

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