Pennsylvania to participate in meetings
and gatherings on the eastern side of
the commonwealth,” says 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.
They planned to make the crossing
to America in two ships, the Speedwell
and Mayflower, but they were forced to
“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.”
return to England part way through their
journey.
“The Speedwell was leaking,” explains
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.
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
Descendants works to recognize and
A member of the Western Colony of the Society of Mayflower Descendants in Pennsylvania
teaches children about the rich history of the Pilgrims.
celebrate the Pilgrims’ way of life
every year, not just during this year’s
momentous anniversary.
For this celebratory year, however,
several special events are planned within
the organization and for the public to
enjoy.
“We always hold at least three colony
membership meetings,” says 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 Western
Colony members pride themselves not
only on their heritage, but also on the
group’s 200-person-strong membership.
Yet, they are always happy when new
people join the colony. “There is a process
to go through,” explains Grenet. “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, you can
contact Dr. Billie Gailey at urquis@
comcast.net and visit the group’s
Facebook page. n
WEST ALLEGHENY
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SPRING 2020
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