“Our local descendants didn’t
always have the means to travel across
Pennsylvania to participate in meetings
and gatherings on the eastern side of
the commonwealth,” explains Gailey, “so
the Western Colony was formed to help
descendants gather and carry on colony
business.”
According to the national website
for the General Society of Mayflower
Descendants, the Pilgrims were a group
of English people who came to America
seeking religious freedom during the reign
of King James I. Their journey to America
took roughly 10 years and included a long
stay in Holland where they were able to
worship as they wished under lenient
Dutch law.
However, fearing their children were
losing their English heritage and religious
beliefs, along with the resumption of war
and their inability as non-citizens to find
decent jobs, a small group of Pilgrims
made plans to settle in Northern Virginia,
as New England was known at the time.
In August 1620, the group sailed for
Southampton, England, where other
English colonists who also hoped to make
a new life in America met them.
“It has been rewarding to become
a member of the Western Colony and
to learn more about the important role
my ancestors and the Pilgrims played
in forming our nation.”
They planned to make the crossing to
America in two ships, the Speedwell and
Mayflower, but they were forced to return
to England partway through their journey.
“The Speedwell was leaking,” says
Gailey. “The ships returned to England
and the group re-formed with only half of
the original travelers.”
They all boarded the Mayflower in
September 1620 and arrived in winter of
the same year. They endured significant
hardships as they struggled to establish
a successful colony at Plymouth. But, in
time the colony flourished and led the
way to establishing religious freedom and
creating the foundations of the democracy
Americans enjoy today, including the
celebration of the first Thanksgiving.
The rich history the Pilgrims have
bestowed on America is exactly why
the General Society of Mayflower
A member of the the Western Colony of the Society of Mayflower Descendants in Pennsylvania teaches
children about the rich history of the Pilgrims.
Descendants and the colonists in the
Western Colony work to recognize
and celebrate the Pilgrims’ way of life
every year, not just during this year’s
momentous anniversary.
To help kick off this celebratory year,
however, several events are planned
within the organization and for the
public to enjoy.
“We always hold at least three colony
membership meetings,” explains Ira
Bradford, the 2020 Publicity Chair for the
400th anniversary.
“They include colony business along
with speakers who can enlighten us on
our heritage or new findings about the
original descendants of the Mayflower. In
May, the Western Colony hopes to march
in the Memorial Day Parade in Carnegie.
And, in July and September, we will hold
Mayflower events on Mt. Washington and
in Erie. Then, we conclude in November
by participating in Light-Up Night
activities, and a march in the Celebrate the
Season parade in downtown Pittsburgh.”
Of particular importance to the Western
Colony is when a museum educator
from Plymouth Plantation visits local-
area schools to do some interactive
demonstrations about the Pilgrims and
what it was like living in America 400
years ago.
“The kids absolutely love it. They get
to hear the educators speak as they would
have in 1620 and try on clothes similar
to what was worn back then. It’s very
entertaining for them,” says Gailey.
Patricia Hill Grenet has been with the
Western Colony for 40 years and serves
as the colony Governor. She says the
Western Colony prides itself not only on
heritage, but also on a 200-person-strong
membership. Yet, they are always happy
when new people join.
“There is a process to go through,”
Grenet notes. “You have to prove your
lineage, but we can help with that and
it’s so worth it when you realize what
your ancestors endured for a better life.
Freedom of religion, freedom to seek
enlightenment, and the practice of self-
government are just a few things they
could not have imagined for themselves in
their homeland. They were true risk-takers
and worthy of being remembered and
celebrated.”
Bradford feels much the same way.
“It has been rewarding to
become a member of the Western Colony
and to learn more about the important
role my ancestors and the Pilgrims played
in forming our nation,” he says. “The
Pilgrims were true pioneers with a strong
belief in God and the understanding that
individuals should have the freedom to
worship as they wish.”
To learn more about the Western
Colony of the Society of Mayflower
Descendants in Pennsylvania, prospective
members can contact Dr. Billie Gailey
at [email protected] and visit
the organization’s Facebook page. n
MT. LEBANON
❘
SPRING 2020
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