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Tag: John Howland

A Rainy Day in Plymouth, MA

August 11, 2026 / / 0 Comments
This replica of the Plimoth Plantation gives one of the best representations of what every day life was actually like for the Pilgrims.

Written by Dr. Marcus J. Serven

Over the past few weeks my wife and I and four of our granddaughters traveled out to Massachusetts. In particular there were two places we wanted to visit: (1) several of the Pilgrim sites in Plymouth (spelled “Plimoth” by Gov. William Bradford), and (2) several of the Revolutionary War sites in Boston (more on that part of our trip later). It was a cold and grey day when we finally got to Plimoth Plantation (a reconstruction of the original colony), and sure enough it rained heavily on us throughout the entire day! That did not stop us, however, and we got a thorough example of what the “first comers” may have experienced when they arrived at that frigid, windy, and rocky land that would become known as the Plimoth Plantation. Here are a few pictures from our rainy day adventures:

We were met by John Howland who explained the difficulties and trials of the first seven years in the Plimoth Plantation.
The fort at the top of the hill was one of the first buildings completed at Plimoth. It doubled as a place of protection and a place for worship.
I learned that their initial homes were “survival cabins” that eventually would be replaced by stouter and more permanent structures. Note the dirt floor.
This popular pamphlet greatly encouraged the Pilgrims as they made their plans to settle in the New World. Sadly the colony of Jamestown did not fair so well.
Here is a replica of a Geneva Bible with notes written by John Calvin, John Knox, Myles Coverdale, and William Whittingham. The Pilgrims used this Bible exclusively.
It finally stopped raining late in the afternoon when we came to Jenny’s Grist Mill. (L-R) Edith, Marcus, Bella, Cheryl, Naomi, and Abigail.
We went on board the Mayflower II as our final exhibit. It was moored to the dock and staffed by a group of crusty old sailors who told us many sea yarns!

Overall, it was an enjoyable day–although quite wet! I came away with a greater appreciation for the courage and determination that was manifested by the Pilgrims and the other English settlers who made up the fledgling colony. They persevered through cold and inclement weather even though many grew sick and weak. They suffered extreme privation and disease so that half the colonists died the first winter. Finally, they formed a colonial government based upon principles from the Bible and the English common law. As a result, they established a prosperous town that became a bright beacon of righteousness to a wild and rough wilderness. William Bradford wrote about the strength of their character when the Pilgrims left the Netherlands, “So they left that good and pleasant city, which had been their resting place for nearly twelve years; but they knew they were pilgrims, and lifted up their eyes to the heavens, their dearest country, and quieted their spirits.” (Bradford, Of Plymouth Plantation, 49) Such were the Pilgrims–they are our spiritual forebears and unique representatives of the resolute spirit of America. Let us remember them!

Resources for further Study:

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: Published by Vision Forum and Mantle Ministries, 1998. 

Brown, John. The Pilgrim Fathers of New England and their Puritan Successors. London, England: The Religious Tract Society, 1895. 

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

Foster, Marshall, and Swanson, Mary-Elaine. The American Covenant: The Untold Story. Revised Edition. Santa Barbara, CA: Co-published by The Foundation for Christian Self-Government (1981), and the Mayflower Institute (1983).

Fiore, Jordan D., ed. Mourt’s Relation: A Journal of the Pilgrims at Plymouth. Reprint, Plymouth, MA: Plymouth Rock Foundation, 1985. 

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

Jehle, Dr. Paul. Plymouth in the Words of Her Founders. San Antonio, TX: Vision Forum, 2002.

Pumphrey, Margaret B. Stories of the Pilgrims. New York, NY: Rand McNally & Company, 1912. Reprint, Corvallis, OR: Creation’s Child, 1986.

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

Dr. Marcus J. Serven, ThM and DMin

The Genevan Foundation – Copyright 2026 – All Rights Reserved

A Dramatic Example of God’s Providencial Will

November 4, 2024 /
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): This picture certainly captures the high drama of being thrown off the ship in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean!

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

The Genevan Foundation – Copyright 2024 – All rights Reserved

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