“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,” says Dr. 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 part way through their
journey.
“The Speedwell was leaking,” says Dr.
Gailey. “The ships returned to England
and the group reformed 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, their colony flourished and
lead the way to establishing religious
freedom and creating the foundations of
the democracy Americans enjoy today,
including the celebration of the first
Thanksgiving.
A member of the The Western Colony of the Society of Mayflower Descendants in Pennsylvania
teaches children about the rich history of the Pilgrims.
The rich history the Pilgrims have
bestowed on America is exactly why
the General Society of Mayflower
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,
several 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 Dr. 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 their heritage, but also on their
200-person strong membership. Yet, they
are always happy when new people join
the colony.
“There is a process to go through,”
says Patricia. “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.”
Ira 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. 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 their
Facebook page. n
WEST MIFFLIN
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SP R I NG 2020
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