Samuel Fuller in Records

SAMUEL FULLER IN THE 17TH CENTURY RECORDS

Samuel Fuller in Amsterdam

The first reference to Samuel Fuller in The Netherlands places him in Amsterdam. The first English Separatist church in The Netherlands had been formed in Amsterdam in the 1590s; it was known as the "Ancient Brethren." This church was regularly joined by other English dissidents and, of particular interest to the future of Plymouth Colony, they were joined by a group from Scrooby, England, in 1608.
The Ancient Brethren was a contentious church and the Scrooby group decided to emigrate to leave them - and Amsterdam - and set up their community and church in the Dutch city of Leiden. This was done in 1609.

In 1612, a book as published in London called The prophane [profane] schism of the Brownists, written by four members of the Ancient Brethren who had withdrawn from the church. The authors were Christopher Lawne, John Fowler, Clement Saunders and Robert Bulward. In the book, they discuss the goings on of one member of the Ancient Brethren, one Daniel Studley, who was known for assaulting women, including his own stepdaughter.

There is a passage in the book that reads:
"But if any would further know what this Daniel Studley is, let them ask Samuel Fuller, a Deacon of Master Robinson's Church; and desire to see a copy of the letter which Daniel Studley sent unto him."

There is a further reference to Studley and Fuller:
"Daniel Studley is so apt in reproach that he runs upon the Letter: making, as it were, an Alphabet of slander having it so perfect as his A B C. For trial hereof, see how he grinds his teeth against Samuel Fuller, a Deacon of Master Robinson's Company; whom, with his friends, he describes as being 'ignorant idiots, noddy Nabalites, dogged Dogs, fairfaced Pharisees, shameless Shemites, malicious Macchiavellians."

From The prophane schism of the Brownists, 1612, as quoted in
The story of the Pilgrim Fathers by Edward Arber.
London: Ward & Downey, Ltd., 1897, pp. 122-124.

Samuel & Bridget Fuller in the Records of Leiden

1611 : "Preest, Diggorie of London in England, acc. by Willem Leesle and Samuel Fuller his acq. betr. 7 Oct. 1611, mar. 4 Nov. 1611 to Sara Vincent, widow of Jan Vincent, acc. by Jannetgen Diggens and Rasemyn Gipsyn her acq.
1612 : "With, Willem (William White) of England, Wool-comber, acc. by Willem Jopsen and Samuel Folle (Samuel Fuller) his acq. betr. 27 Jan. 1612, mar. 26 Febr. 1612 to En Foller (Ann Fuller) of England, acc. by Rosemen Jepson and Sara Pryst her acq."
1612 : "Foller, En (Ann Fuller) of England, acc. [accompanied] by Rosem Jepson and Sara Pryst betr. [betrothed] 27 Jan. 1612, mar. [married] 11 Febr. 1612 to Willem With (William White) of England, Wool-comber, acc. [accompanied] by Willem Jepson and Samuel Fulle his acq. [acquaintance].
1613 : "Fuller, Samuel of London, widr. of Els Glaescoock (Alice Glasscock) acc. by Alexander Carpenter, William Hoyt (William White) his brother-in- law, Rogier Wiltsum (Roger Wilson) and Eduart Saetwood (Edward Southworth) his acq. betr. 15 March 1613, mar. 24 April 1613 to Agnys Carpenter of Wrenten in England, acc. by Agnys Weijt and Els Carpenter her sister.
1613 : "Sodtwaert, Eduwaert (Edward Southworth) of England, Say-worker, acc. by Tomas Sodwaert (Thomas Southworth) his brother, Samuel Fuller his brother-in-law and Rogier Wilsom betr. 4 May 1613, mar. 27 May 1613 to Els Carpenter of England, acc. by Anna Ras and Elysabeth Gennings her acq.
1614 : "Terrier, Samuel of Caen in Normandy, Say-worker, acc. by Rogier Wiltsun and Samuel Fuller his acq. betr. 16 May 1614, mar. 31 May 1614 to Mildereth Charles of England, acc. by Jenne Tickens and Maycken Ring her acq.
1615 : "Jesep, Etmondt (Edmond Jessop), of Ackworth in England, widr. of Ellin Onderwot, acc. by Willem Jeps and Samuel Foller his acq., living in the Groene Poort, opposite the Bell-house, betr. 16 Sept. 1615 to Abigel Hont of Frensham in England, acc. Rosemen Jepson and Marye Wodt her acq.
1617 : "Foller, Samuel of England, Say-worker, widr. of Ann Carpenter, living on the Veste near the Marepoorte, acc. by Samuel Lee his acq. and future brother-in-law, betr. 12 May 1617, mar. 27 May 1617 to Bryget Lee of England, acc. by Joos Lee (Josephine Lee) her mother.
1619 : "Codmoer, Jan (John Goodman) of England, Linen-weaver, widr. of Marytgen Backers, acc. by Samuel Foller his acq. betr. 27 Sept. 1619, mar. 5 Oct. 1619 to Sara Hoepers of England, acc. by Anna White and Rose Gipson her acq.
1621 : "Lea, Samuel (Samuel Lee) of England, widr of Maria Nes (Mary Nash), Hatter, acc. by Isaack Marcijs betr. 26 March 1621, mar. 10 April 1621 to Sara Talbet, wid. of Willem Talbeth, acc. by Brudget Voller (Bridget Fuller) her future sister-in-law.
Johanna W. Tammel, The Pilgrims and other people from the British
Isles in Leiden 1576-1640 (Isle of Man : Mansk-Svenska Publishing,
c1989), p. 95-96, 138, 152, 170, 216, 256, 290.

Samuel Fuller & the Leiden Separatists

That Samuel Fuller was considered a leader in the Pilgrim community in Leiden can be seen from the following letter of June 1620 between the Leyden Committee and their agents in London concerning changes in the agreement with the merchant adventurers who were financing the Pilgrims' voyage to and settlement in North America :
"To their loving friends John Carver and Robert Cushman, these, etc.
"Good brethren, after salutations, etc. We received divers letters at the coming of Mr. Nash and our pilot, which is a great encouragement unto us, and for whom we hope after times will minister occasion of praising God. And indeed, had you not sent him, many would have been ready to faint and go back, partly in respect of the new conditions which have been taken up by you (which all men are against), and partly in regard of our own inability to do any one of those many weighty businesses you refer to us here. For the former whereof, whereas Robert Cushman desires reasons for our dislike, promising thereupon to alter the same, or else saying we should think he hath no brains, we desire him to exercise them therein, referring him to our pastor's former reasons, and them to the censure of the godly wise. But our desires are that you will not entangle yourselves and us in any such unreasonable courses as those are; viz. that the merchants should have the half of men's houses and lands at the dividend, and that persons should be deprived of the two days in a week agreed upon, yea every moment of time for their own Particular; by reason whereof we cannot conceive why any should carry servants for their own help and comfort, for that we can require no more of them than all men one of another. This we have only be relation from Mr. Nash, and not from any writing of your own, and therefore hope you have not proceeded far in so great a thing without us. But requiring you not to exceed the bounds of your commission, which was to proceed upon the things or conditions agreed upon and expressed in writing (at your going over about it), we leave it; not without marveling that yourself, as you write, knowing how small a thing troubleth our consultations, and how few, as you fear, understands the business aright, should trouble us with such matters as these are, etc...
"Thus beseeching the Almighty, who is all sufficient to raise us out of this depth of difficulties, to assist us herein; raising such means by His providence and fatherly care for us, His poor children and servants, as we may with comfort behold the hand of our God for good towards us in this our business which we undertake in His name and fear, we take leave and remain
"Your perplexed, yet hopeful brethren,
Samuel Fuller
Edward Winslow
William Bradford
Isaac Allerton"
William Bradford, Of Plymouth Plantation 1620-1647, ed.
Samuel Eliot Morison (New York : Knopf, 1991), p. 360-1.

Samuel Fuller : Mayflower passenger

"The names of those which came over first, in the year 1620, and were by the blessing of God the first beginners and in a sort the foundation of all the Plantations and Colonies in New England; and their families...
"Mr. Samuel Fuller and a servant called William Button. His wife was behind, and a child which came afterwards."
William Bradford, Of Plymouth Plantation 1620-1647, ed.
Samuel Eliot Morison (New York : Knopf, 1991), p. 441-3.

Samuel Fuller : Signer of the Mayflower Compact

"I shall ... begin with a combination made by them before they came ashore ; being the first foundation of their government in this place. Occasioned partly by the discontented and mutinous speeches that some of the strangers amonst them had let fall from them in the ship: That when they came ashore they would use their own liberty, for none had power to command them, the patent they had being for Virginia and not for New England... And partly that such an act by them done, this their condition considered, might be as firm as any patent, and in some respects more sure.
"The form was as followeth : IN THE NAME OF GOD, AMEN. We whose names are underwritten, the loyal subjects of our dread Sovereign Lord King James, by the Grace of God of Great Britain, France and Ireland King, Defender of the Faith, etc. Having undertaken, for the Glory of God and advancement of the Christian Faith and Honour of our King and Country, a Voyage to plant the First Colony in the Northern parts of Virginia, do by these presents solemnly and mutually in the presence of God and one of another, Covenant and Combine ourselves together into a Civil Body Politic, for our better ordering and preservation and furtherance of the ends aforesaid; and by virtue hereof to enact, constitute and frame such just and equal Laws, Ordinances, Acts, Constitutions and Offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general good of the Colony, unto which we promise all due submission and obedience. In witness whereof we have hereunder subscribed our names at Cape Cod, the 11th of November, in the year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord King James, of England, France and Ireland the eighteenth, and of Scotland the fifty-fourth. Anno Domini 1620."
William Bradford, Of Plymouth Plantation 1620-1647, ed.
Samuel Eliot Morison (New York : Knopf, 1991), p. 75-76.

Samuel & Bridget Fuller and the 1623 Division of Land

The 1623 Division of Land marked the end of the Pilgrims' earliest system of land held in common by all. Governor Bradford explains it in this way:
"And so assigned to every family a parcel of land, according to the proportion of their number, for that end, only for present use (but made no division for inheritance) and ranged all boys and youth under some family. This had very good success, for it made all hands very industrious, so as much more corn was planted than otherwise would have been by any means the Governor or any other could use, and saved him a great deal of trouble, and gave far better content. The women now went willingly into the field, and took their little ones with them to set corn; which before would allege weakness and inability; whom to have compelled would have been thought great tyranny and oppression."
William Bradford, Of Plymouth Plantation 1620-1647, ed.
Samuel Eliot Morison (New York : Knopf, 1991), p. 120.

Plymouth Colony Records, Deeds, &c, Vol I 1627-1651 is the oldest record book of the Plymouth settlement. It begins with the 1623 Division of Land, recorded in the handwriting of Governor William Bradford. The lands of Samuel Fuller are among those "The Falles of their grounds which came first over in the May Floure, according as thier lotes were case" and described as "these lye on the South side of the brooke."

Samuel & Bridget Fuller and the 1627 Division of Cattle

Plymouth Colony Records, Vol. I also tells of the 1627 Division of Cattle:
"At a publique court held the 22th of May it was concluded by the whole Companie, that the cattell wch were the Companies, to wit, the Cowes & the Goates should be equally devided to all the psonts of the same company ... & so the lotts fell as followeth, thirteene psonts being pportioned to one lot...
"The eaight lot fell to Samuell ffuller & his company Joyned to him his wife (2) Bridgett ffuller (3) Samuell ffuller Junior (4) Peeter Browne (5) Martha Browne (6) Mary Browne (7) John fford (8) Martha fford (9) Anthony Anable (10) Jane Anable (11) Sara Anable (12) hanah Anable (13) Thom Morton Senor (14) Damaris Hopkins.
"To this lott fell A Red [h]eyfer Came of the Cow wch belongeth to the poore of the Colony & so is of that Consideration. (viz) thes psonts nominated, to haue half the Increace, the other halfe, with the ould stock, to remain for the vse of the poore.
"To this lott also two shee goats."

Samuel Fuller : a 1626 "Purchaser"

In 1621, King James I authorized the Council for New England to plant and govern land in this area. This Council granted the Peirce Patent, confirming the Pilgrims' settlement and governance of Plymouth. Peirce and his associates, the merchant adventurers, were allotted 100 acres for each settler the Company transported. The Pilgrims had a contract with the Company stating all land and profits would accrue to the Company for 7 years at which time the assets would be divided among the shareholders. Most of the Pilgrims held some stock. The Pilgrims negotiated a more favorable contract with the Company in 1626. In 1627, 53 Plymouth freemen, known as "The Purchasers," agreed to buy out the Company over a period of years. In turn, 12 "Undertakers" (8 from Plymouth and 4 from London) agreed to pay off Plymouth's debts in return for trade benefits.

Samuel Fuller was on of the 53 Plymouth Purchasers. Samuel Fuller had also been involved in the negotiations with the Merchant Adventurers that led to the more favorable contract. Governor William Bradford wrote in his letter book :
"This next year being Anno. 1626, we sent Mr. Allerton into England, partly to make some supply for us, and to see if he could make any reasonable composition with the adventurers and because we well knew that nothing can be done without money, we gave him an order to procure some, binding ourselves to make payment thereof as followeth :
"Know all men by thee presents, that whereas we William Bradford, Governour of Plymouth in New England, and William Brewster, Capt. Miles Standish, Isaac Allerton, Samuel Fuller, Edward Winslow, John Jeney, John Howland, and John Allden; being all inhabitants of Plymouth, aforesaid, are for ourselves, and divers others, our associates, &c. And whereas the said Isaac Allerton (by God's providence) for the necessary occasions of the colony abovesaid, is bound for England; and whereas divers of us above named, have acquainted divers of our worthy and approved friends (by our letters) with our raw and weak estate, and want of ability of ourselves to manage so great an action, as the upholding of the plantation aforesaid. If therefore God shall move the heart or hearts of any of our friends, in compassion of our wants and present straits, to lend us above named, the sum of one hundred pounds sterling, for the space of two years, upon any such terms as shall be agreed upon, between him or them and the said Isaac Allerton, our partner and agent, and deliver the same into his hands for our use; that we, the said William Bradford, William Brewster, &c together with the said Isaac Allerton, do bind ourselves, our heirs, &c. jointly and severally, for the faithful performance of such obligations, conditions, or covenants, as shall be agreed on,&c.
Mayflower Descendant, Vol. 5, p. 198-199.

Samuel Fuller : Physician

1622 : "As for those [Indians] (who) were wounded, we were sorry for it, though themselves procured it in not staying in the house, at our command; yet if they would return home with us, our surgeon should heal them."
Mourt's relation : a journal of the Pilgrims at
Plymouth, ed. Jordan D. Fiore (Plymouth, Mass. :
Plymouth Rock Foundation, 1985), p. 65.

1622 : "At length their [Master Weston's men] coasters returned, having found in their judgment a place fit for plantation, within the bay of the Massachusets at a place called by the Indians Wichaguscusset. To which place the body of them went with all convenient speed, leaving still with us such as were sick and lame, by the Governor's permission, though on their parts undeserved; whom our surgeon, by the help of God, recovered gratis for them, and they fetched home, as occasion served."
Edward Winslow, Good news from New England (1624) as reprinted
in : Alexander Young, Chronicles of the Pilgrim Fathers (Boston,
Charles C. Little & James Brown, 1851), p. 297.

1629 : "...sundry of those that came from Leyden came over in the ships that came to Salem, where Mr. Endecott had chief command; and by infection that grew among the passengers at sea, it spread also among them ashore, of which many died, some of the scurvy, other of an infectious fever which continued some time amongst them, though our people through God's goodness escaped it. Upon which occasion he writ hither for some help, understanding here was one that had some skill that way and had cured divers of the scurvy, and others of other diseases by letting blood and other means. Upon which his request, the Governor here sent him unto them and also writ to him from whom he received an answer, the which, because it is brief and shows the beginning of their acquaintance and closing in the truth and ways of God, I thought it not unmeet nor without use here to insert it, and another showing the beginning of their fellowship and church estate there. Being as followeth:
"RIGHT WORTHY SIR : It is a thing not usual that servants to one master and of the same household should be strangers; I assure you I desire it not, nay to speak more plainly I cannot be so to you. Gods's People are all marked with one and the same mark and sealed with one and the same seal, and have for the main, one and the same heart guided by one and same spirit of truth...
"I acknowledge myself much bound to you for your kind love and care in sending Mr. Fuller among us, and rejoice much that I am by him satisfied touching your judgments of the outward form of God's worship...
"Your assured loving friend,
John Endicott."
William Bradford, Of Plymouth Plantation 1620-1647, ed.
Samuel Eliot Morison (New York : Knopf, 1991), p. 223-4.

28 June 1630 [from Salem] : "Sir [William Bradford],
"The gentlemen here lately come over (as I suppose you understand of their arrival ere this, by Jonathan Brewster) are resolved to sit down at the head of Charles river, and they of Matapan purpose to go and plant with them. I have been at Matapan, at the request of Mr. Warham, and let some twenty of these people blood; I had conference with them, till I was weary. Mr. Warham holds that the visible church may consist of a mixed people, godly, and openly ungodly; upon which point we had all our conference, to which, I trust, the Lord will give a blessing. Here is come over, with these gentlemen, one Mr. Phillips (a Suffolk man) who hath told me in private, that if they will have him stand minister, by that calling which he received from the prelates in England, he will leave them : The Governour is a godly, wise, and humble gentleman, and very discreet, and of a fine and good temper. We have some privy enemies in the bay (but blessed be God) more friends; the Governour hath had converence with me, both in private and before sundry others; opposers there is not wanting, and satan is busy; but if the Lord be on our side who can be against us; the Governour hath told me he hoped we will not be wanting in helping them, so that I think you will be sent for : Here is a gentleman, one Mr. Cottington, a Boston man, who told me, that Mr. Cotton's charge at Hampton was, that they should take advice of them at Plymouth, and should do nothing to offend them : Captain Endicott (my dear friend, and a friend to us all) is a second Burrow; the Lord establish him, and us all in every good way of truth : Other things I would have writ of but time prevents me ; again I may be with you before this letter ; remember me unto God in your prayers, and so I take my leave, with my loving salutations to yourself and all the rest.
"Yours in the Lord Christ,
Samuel Fuller"
Mayflower Descendant, Vol. 7, p. 79-80.

26 July 1630 [a letter from Salem] : "Being at Salem the 25th of July, being the Sabbath, after the evening exercise Mr. Johnson having received a letter from the Governour, Mr. Winthrop, manifesting the hand of God to be upon them, and against them, at Charlestown, in visiting them with sickness and taking divers from amongst them, not sparing the righteous, but partaking with the wicked in those bodily judgments, it was therefore by his desire, taken into the godly consideration of the best here, what was to be done to pacify the Lord's wrath; and they would do nothing without our advice, I mean those members of our church, there known unto them, viz. Mr. Fuller Mr. Allerton and myself, requiring our voices, as their own, when it was concluded, that the Lord was to be sought in righteousness; and so to that end the sixth day (being Friday) of this present week is set apart, that they may humble themselves before God, and seek him in his ordinances; and that then also such godly persons that are amongst them and known each to other, publicly at the end of their exercise, make known their godly desire, and practice the same, viz. solemnly to enter into covenant with the Lord to walk in his ways; and since they are so disposed of in their outward estates, as to live in three distinct places, each having men of ability amongst them, there to observe the day, and become three distinct bodies; not then intending rashly to proceed to the choice of officers, or the admitting of any other into their society than a few, to wit, such as are well known unto them, promising after to receive in such, by confession, as shall appear to be fitly qualified for that estate; and, as they desired to advise with us, so do they earnestly entreat that the church at Plymouth would set apart the same day, for the same ends, beseeching God as to withdraw his hand of correction, so to establish and direct them in his ways; and though the time be very short, yet since the causes are so urgent, we pray you be provoked to this godly work, wherein God will be honoured, and they and we undoubtedly have sweet comfort in so doing: Be you all kindly saluted in the Lord, together with the rest of our brethren : The Lord be with you and his spirit direct you, in this and all other actions that concern his glory and the good of his :
"Your brethren in the faith of Christ, And fellowship of the gospel,
Samuel Fuller, Edward Winslow."
Mayflower Descendant, Vol. 7, p. 80-81.

2 August 1630 : Sir [William Bradford],
"There is come hither a ship (with cattle, and more passengers) on Saturday last ; which brings this news out of England ; that the plague is sore, both in the city and country, and that the University of Cambridge is shut up by reason thereof ; also, that there is like to be a great dearth in the land by reason of a dry season. The Earl of Pembroke is dead, and Bishop Laud is Chancellor of Oxford; and that five sundry ministers are to appear before the High Commission, amongst whom, Mr. Cotton, of Boston, is one. The sad news here is, that many are sick, and many are dead, the Lord in mercy look upon them! Some are here entered into a church covenent, the first four, namely, the Governour, Mr. John Winthrop, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Dudley, and Mr. Willson; since that, five more are joined unto them, and others it is like will add themselves to them daily. The Lord increase them, both in number and holiness, for his mercy;s sake. I here but lose time and long to be at home, I can do them no good, for I want drugs, and things fitting to work with: I purpose to be at home this week (if God permit) and Mr. Johnson, and Captain Endicott will come with me; and upon their offer, I requested the Governour to bear them company, who is desirous to come, but saith he cannot be absent two hours. Mrs. Cottington is dead. Here are divers honest christians that are desirous to see us; some out of love, which they bear to us, and the good persuasion they have of us ; other to see whether we be so evil, as they have heard of us. We have a name of love and holiness to God and his saints; the Lord make us answerable and that it may be more than a name, or else it will do us no good. Be you lovingly saluted, and my sisters, with Mr. Brewster, and Mr. Smith, and all the rest of our friends. The Lord Jesus bless us and the whole Israel of God. Amen.
"Your loving brother in law,
Samuel Fuller."
Mayflower Descendant, Vol. 7, pg. 81-82.

Samuel Fuller : Deacon

"When the Church Came away out of holland they brought with them one deacon Mr Samuell ffuller whoe officiated in that office amongst them vntill his death hee was a Good man and full of the holy speritt."
Publications of the Colonial Society of Massachusetts,
Vol. XXII : Plymouth Church Records 1620-1859 (Boston :
The Society, 1920), Part I, pg. 83.

1623 (regarding the confession and relapse of John Lyford) : "so as they began again to conceive good thought of him [Lyford] upon this his repentance, and admitted him to teach amongst them as before; and Samuel Fuller (a deacon amongst them) and some other tenderhearted men amongst them, were so taken with his signs of sorrow and repentance, as they professed they would fall upon their knees to have his censurre released."
William Bradford, Of Plymouth Plantation 1620-1647, ed.
Samuel Eliot Morison (New York : Knopf, 1991), p. 158.

Samuel Fuller in the Plymouth Colony Records

1631 [Samuel Fuller was a highly respected member of the Plymouth Colony and may have served as an official "Assistant" to Governor William Bradford. He signed - along with John Alden, Myles Standish and Thomas Prence - a letter sent by Governor William Bradford to Governor John Winthrop of Massachusetts Bay Colony] :
"We have now at length returned an Answer to your letter dated the .26. of July (The reason we have so longe deffered ye same, is because we have had no courte till ye last month being Januarie) The sume wherof is this : that we are willing to curesponde with you in this, or any other neborly course, so fare as may no way be prejudicall to any, or swarve from ye rules of equitie. how fare mr Winslow expreste yt agreement you intimate we know not (seeing hs is absente) but our meaning, & former practiss, was & hath been, only of shuch as come to dwell, & inhabite, whether as servants, or free men ; and not of soujournours wch come but for a seasone, with a purpose to returne . yet if any abuse should grow hereby ; we shall agree to any good order for the preventing or redressing of ye same ; provided the way be left open for pore men to releve ther wants, And for mutuall help to both plantations..."
Mayflower Descendant, Vol. 9, p. 2-3.

1633 : "The Names of the Freemen of the Incorporacon of Plymoth in New England, An: 1633 ... Samuell Fuller, senior"
Records of Plymouth Colony, Vol. 1, pg. 3.

7 January 1623-3 : "Whereas there were divers accounts between Samuell Fuller, the elder, & Peter Browne, wherein they differ, the said Samuell being plaintiffe, upon thexamining of things, they agreed to refer their cause to Robt Heeks & Francis Cooke, & to haue the hearing of their recconings, and according as they shall thinke meete & just to make even & sett streight the same at or before the last of this prnt moneth; and if either party shall fayle to stand to their arbitermt, then to forfeit the full sum of fiue pounds starling."
Records of Plymouth Colony, Vol. 1, pg. 8.

25 March 1633 : "According to an order in Court held the 2d of January, in the seaventh yeare of the raigne of o'r soveraigne lord, Charles, by the grace of God King of Engl., Scotl., France, & Irel., defendor of the faith, &c, the psons heere under menconed were rated for publike use by the Gov'r, Mr Will Bradford ... to be brought in by each pson as they are heere under written, rated in corne at vi s[hillings] p bushell, at or before the last of November next ensuing ... Sam: Fuller, Senior, ... 00 : 18 [shillings] : 00."
Records of Plymouth Colony, Vol. 1, pg. 9.

1 July 1633 : "It was agreed that Mr Will Collier mow the medow ground lying between ye west side of the brooke at Mortons Hole, & to the ground of Jonathan Brewster...
"To Joh Wynslow, -- Allerton, Mr Fuller, Wido Wright, & Joh Adams that wch Mr Wilson mowed last yeare, & the rest adjoyning unmowed."
Records of Plymouth Colony, Vol. 1, pg. 14.

28 October 1633 : "At this Court the will & test. of Sam. Fuller was proved, upon the oath of the witnesses, John Wynslow & Robt. Heeks."
Records of Plymouth Colony, Vol. 1, pg. 18.

Samuel Fuller : the UNTRUE Story

In 1637, Thomas Morton of Merrymount, an enemy of the Pilgrims, wrote a bizarre and satirical book called The New English Canaan. Morton wrote exaggerated and often false accounts of the Pilgrim leaders, including Samuel Fuller. The following are the words of Thomas Morton :

"Of a Doctor made at a Commencement in New Canaan.
"The Church of Plimmouth, having due regard to the weale publike and the Brethren that were to come over, and knowing that they would be busily imployed to make provision for the cure of Soules, and therefore might neglect the body for that time, did hold themselves to be in duety bound to make search for a fitting man, that might be able, (if so neede requir'd,) to take the chardge upon him in that place of imployment : and therefore called a Counsell of the whole Synagoge : amongst which company, they chose out a man that long time had bin nurst up in the tender bosome of the Church : one that had speciall gifts : hee could wright and reade ; nay, more : hee had tane [taken] the oath of adjuration, which is a speciall stepp, yea, and a maine degree unto perferment. Him they weane, and out of Phaos boxe fitt him with special guifts of no lesse worth : they stile him Doctor, and forth they send him to gaine imployment and opinion.
"What luck is it I cannot hit on his name : but I will give you him by a periphrasis, that you may know him when you meete him next.
"Hee was borne at Wrington, in the County of Somerset, where hee was bred a Butcher. Hee weares a longe beard, and a Garment like the Greeke that beggd in Pauls Church. This new made Doctor, comes to Salem to congratulate : where hee findes some are newly come from Sea, and ill at ease.
"He takes the patient, and the urinall : eies the State threr; findes the Crasis Symptomes, and the attomi natantes : and tells the patient that his disease was winde, which he had tane [taken] by gapeing feasting over board at Sea ; but hee would quickly ease him of that greife, and quite expell the winde. And this hee did performe, with his gifts hee had : and then hee handled the patient so handsomely, that hee eased him of all the winde hee had in an instant.
"And yet I hope this man may be forgiven, if hee were made a fitting Plant for Heaven.
"How hee went to worke with his gifts is a question ; yet hee did a great cure for Captaine Littleworth, hee cured him of a disease called a wife : and yet I hope this may may be forgiven, if shee were made a fitting plant for heaven.
"By this meanes hee was allowed 4.p a moneth, and the chirgeon's chest, and made Phisition generall of Salem : where hee exercised his gifts so well, that of full 42, that there hee tooke to cure, there is not one has more cause to complaine, or can say black's his eie. This saved Captaine Littleworths credit, that had truck'd away the vittels : though it brought forth a scandall on the Country by it : and then I hope this man may be forgiven, if they were all
made fitting plants for Heaven.
"But in mine opinion, hee deserved to be set upon a palfrey and lead up and downe in triumph throw new Canaan, with a coller of Iurdans about his neck, as was one of like desert in Richard the seconds time through the streets of London, that men might know where to finde a Quacksalver."
Thomas Morton, the New English Canaan of Thomas Morton,
Charles Francis Adams, Jr., ed. (Boston : Prince Society, 1883), p. 297-299.

Samuel Fuller : His Death

"And seeing it hath pleased Him to give me [William Bradford] to see thirty years completed since these beginnings, and that the great works of His providence are to be observed, I have thought it not unworthy my pains to take a view of the decreasings and increasings of these persons and such changes as hath passed over them and theirs in this thirty years...
"Mr. Fuller his servant died at sea; and after his wife came over he had two children by her, which are living and grown up to years; but he died some fifteen years ago."
William Bradford, Of Plymouth Plantation 1620-1647, ed.
Samuel Eliot Morison (New York : Knopf, 1991), p. 443-7."And seeing it hath pleased Him to give me [William Bradford] to see thirty years completed since these beginnings, and that the great works of His providence are to be observed, I have thought it not unworthy my pains to take a view of the decreasings and increasings of these persons and such changes as hath passed over them and theirs in this thirty years...
"Mr. Fuller his servant died at sea; and after his wife came over he had two children by her, which are living and grown up to years; but he died some fifteen years ago."
William Bradford, Of Plymouth Plantation 1620-1647, ed.
Samuel Eliot Morison (New York : Knopf, 1991), p. 443-7.

1633 : "It pleased the Lord to visit them this year with an infectious fever of which many fell very sick and upward of 20 persons died, men and women, besides children, and sundry of them of their ancient friends which had lived in Holland, as Thomas Blossom, Richard Masterson, with sundry others; and in the end, after he had much helped others, Samuel Fuller who was their surgeon and physician and had been a great help and comfort unto them. As in his faculty, so otherwise being a deacon of the church, a man godly and forward to do good, being much missed after his death. And he and the rest of their brethren much lamented by them and caused much sadness and mourning amongst them, which caused them to humble themselves and seek the Lord; and towards winter it pleased the Lord the sickness ceased."
William Bradford, Of Plymouth Plantation, 1620-1647, ed.
Samuel Eliot Morison (New York : Knopf, 1991), p. 260.

Click HERE for the text of Samuel Fuller's will and the inventory of his estate.

Bridget Fuller in the 17th Century Records

14 September 1633 : "An inventory of the goods of Rich Lanckford deceased ... "The debts of Rich Lanckford wch are knowne at prnt ... To mrs ffuller for phisick 00 06 [shillings] 08 [pence]"
Mayflower Descendant, Vol. 1, p. 83-86.

10 October 1633 : "An inventory taken the 10th of Octobr 1633 of the goods & Chattels of Peter Browne of new Plymouth deceased...
"Peter Brown debtor ... it to mrs ffuller for 1 peck malt & purgac"
Mayflower Descendant, Vol. 1, p. 79-82.

24 October 1633 : "An Inventory of the goods of Godbert Godbertson & Zarah his wife who dyed wthout will ...
"The debts of Godbert Godbertson ... To mrs ffuller for phisick in sicknes 02 [pounds] 10 [shillings] 00 [pence]"
Mayflower Descendant, Vol. 1, p. 154-157.

8 November 1633 : "An Inventory of the goods & Chattels of ffr Eaton Carpenter of Plymouth ...
"The debts off ffr Eaton ... To mrs ffuller for phisick 00 [pounds] 10 [shillings] 00 [pence]"
Mayflower Descendant, Vol. 1, p. 197-200.

15 November 1633 : "An Inventory of the goods of Joh Thorp Carpenter late of Plym. deceased ...
"Joh. Thorp debtor to ... mrs ffuller 01 [pounds] 16 [shillings] 00."
Mayflower Descendant, Vol. 1, p. 158-160.

26 March 1634 : "According to an order in Court held the 2d of Jan., in the ninth yeare of the raigne of our sov. lord, Charles, by the grace of God King of Engl., Scotl., Fr., & Irel., defenr of the faith, &c, the psons heerunder menconed were rated for publick use by the Gov'r & Mr. Tho. Prence ... to be brought in by each pson as they are heerunder written, rated in corne at vj ss pr bushell, at or before the last of Nov'br next ensuing ...
"Widow Fuller, ..... 00 : 09 [shillings] : 00"
Records of Plymouth Colony, Vol. 1, p. 26-8.

11 February 1635-6 : "Benjamine Eaton, ye sone of Francis Eaton, of late deseased, was, by ye Govuer & Assistantes, with his mothers consente, put to Bridgett Fuller, widow, for 14 years, shee being to keep him at schoole 2 years, & to imploy him after in shuch seruice as she saw good & he should be fitt for;
but not to turne him ouer to any other, without ye Gouer consente."
Records of Plymouth Colony, Vol. 1, p. 36-7.26 March 1634 : "According to an order in Court held the 2d of Jan., in the ninth yeare of the raigne of our sov. lord, Charles, by the grace of God King of Engl., Scotl., Fr., & Irel., defenr of the faith, &c, the psons heerunder menconed were rated for publick use by the Gov'r & Mr. Tho. Prence ... to be brought in by each pson as they are heerunder written, rated in corne at vj ss pr bushell, at or before the last of Nov'br next ensuing ...
"Widow Fuller, ..... 00 : 09 [shillings] : 00"
Records of Plymouth Colony, Vol. 1, p. 26-8.

11 February 1635-6 : "Benjamine Eaton, ye sone of Francis Eaton, of late deseased, was, by ye Govuer & Assistantes, with his mothers consente, put to Bridgett Fuller, widow, for 14 years, shee being to keep him at schoole 2 years, & to imploy him after in shuch seruice as she saw good & he should be fitt for;
but not to turne him ouer to any other, without ye Gouer consente."
Records of Plymouth Colony, Vol. 1, p. 36-7.

14 March 1635-6 : "At a Generall Meeting the 14th of March, concerning the Hey Grownds for Plymoth & Duxburrough.The places heerafter menconed were assigned to the severall psons, for their prnt use the yeare 1636, vizt: - ...
"That Mrs Fuller haue the grownd from the Smelt River to Mr Allertons creeke, and on the other side the Smelt River to the point of trees."
And again on 20 March 1636-7 : "To Thomas Cushman, the remaynder of the marsh before the house he liueth in, (wch Mris Fuller doth not vse,) and the little pcell at the wadeing place on thother side Joanes Riuer...
"To Mris Fuller, where shee gott hey ther last yeare."
Records of Plymouth Colony, Vol. 1, p. 39-40, 56

1636 [a law was passed by the Colony Court that everyone record how they marked their cattle for identification] : "Mrs ffuller a half cut out behind the right eare."
Records of the Town of Plymouth, Vol. 1, pg. 1.

6 February 1636-7 : "It is also agreed by the said Court, that the six acrees of land in the new feild formly graunted to Josua Pratt are now graunted, by the consent of the said Josua Pratt, vnto Mris Bridgitt Fuller, widdow, to belong vnto her house in Plymouth, & be therewth used so long as the same shalbe inhabited, or be fitt to dwell in."
Records of Plymouth Colony, Vol. 1, p. 50.

14 March 1635-6 : "At a Generall Meeting the 14th of March, concerning the Hey Grownds for Plymoth & Duxburrough.The places heerafter menconed were assigned to the severall psons, for their prnt use the yeare 1636, vizt: - ...
"That Mrs Fuller haue the grownd from the Smelt River to Mr Allertons creeke, and on the other side the Smelt River to the point of trees."
And again on 20 March 1636-7 : "To Thomas Cushman, the remaynder of the marsh before the house he liueth in, (wch Mris Fuller doth not vse,) and the little pcell at the wadeing place on thother side Joanes Riuer...
"To Mris Fuller, where shee gott hey ther last yeare."
Records of Plymouth Colony, Vol. 1, p. 39-40, 56

7 May 1638 : "Mris Fuller requesteth to be enlarged wth foure acrees of lands at the New Feild."
Records of Plymouth Colony, Vol. 1, p. 84.

September 1638 : "Mris Fuller requesteth more meaddow ground."
Records of Plymouth Colony, Vol. 1, p. 95.

4 March 1638-9 : "Concerneing a prison, it is likewise resolued to build it xiij tie foote in lengh and xvj teene foote in breadth, and one story & a half two stories heigh, as the workman may be agreed wthall to the best advantage, and to be erected vpon the wast ground betwist Mrs Fuller & Mr Hicks."
Records of Plymouth Colony, Vol. 1, p. 115.

6 April 1640 : "A pcell tenn acres of meddow in the long meddow by Edward Doteys is graunted to Mris Bridgitt Fuller, to be layd forth for her of that wch lyeth next to Edward Doteys meddow, and a pcell of vpland to yt."
Records of Plymouth Colony, Vol. 1, p. 143.

1 September 1640 : "Bridgitt Fuller, widdow, compl agst Edward Dotey, in an action of trespas vpon the case, to the dam of xxx li. The jury fynd for the pltiff, and assesse iij li x s dam, & charges, of the Court; but the platiff is to pforme her bargaine to the deffnt for wintering her cattell."
Records of Plymouth Colony, Vol. 7, p. 16.

2 November 1640 : "These seuall psons following are graunted meddowing in ... The west meddow called Lakenhame by Doteys ...
"To Bridgit Fuller 10 acres, wth vpland."
Records of Plymouth Colony, Vol. 1, p. 166.

5 April 1641 : "Memorand: that it is agreed vpon betwixt Mris Bridgitt Fuller, widdow, and Nehemiah Smyth, concerning certaine sheepe wch the said Nehemiah hath of the said Bridgitte to keepe to the halfes, vpon the condicons following : Inprimis, the said Bridgitt hath deliued four ewe sheepe to the said Nehemiah, wch hee is to keepe vntill the xxiij'th of June, 1643, and then the encrease is to be deuided, and the said Mris Fuller to haue one half, and the said Nehemiah thother half thereof; and the wooll to bed yearely diuided, and thone half sent to Mris Fuller yearely, to Plym, or where shee shall dwell, and likewise the stock at thend of the termes. Itm: It is agreed vpon betwixt the said pties, that the said Nehemiah, after the said xxiiij'th June, 1643, shall haue the said foure ewes againe, wth her half of thencrease, for the terme of six yeares longer, saue that there shalbe a diuision of thencrease at thend of the first three yeares, and thother diuision to be made at thend of the said terme of six yeares ; alwayes prouided, that the said Bridgitt shall haue thone half of the woll sent her yearely to Plym, or where she shall dwell, and thone halfe of the money for such weathers as shalbe sould out of thencrease during the said terme."
Records of Plymouth Colony, Vol. 2, p. 13.

16 September 1641 : "Mrs Bridgitt Fuller is graunted one hundred acrees vpland to her meddow at Lakenhame, and to abutt vpon her meddow there, as here as it can convenyently be layd forth."
Records of Plymouth Colony, Vol. 2, p. 26.

3 January 1642-3 : "The controusy betwixt Mrs Bridgitt Fuller & Josias Winslow about a boare resteth for want of better euedence."
Records of Plymouth Colony, Vol. 2, p. 50.

16 March 1648 : "Memorandum the 16th of March yt Samuell ffuller of Plymouth with the concent of his mother Mis Bridget ffuller doth by these prsents make ouer vnto Leiuetennat Matthew ffuller of Plymouth aforsd all theire Right title and Enterest of and into a Small pcell of vpland ground liing at Strawbery hill neare Plymouth Somtims belonging vnto Edward Burcher being about two acars or therabouts bee it more or lese being bounded with the Marsh at goose point on the one syde and Mr Jeningses land on the other syde the nether end butting vpon the bay vnto the said Matthew ffuller to haue and to hould to him and his heaires for ever vnto the onely prper vse and behoofe of him the sd Matthew ffuller vnto him and his heaires for euer."
Records of Plymouth Colony, Vol. 12, p. 164.

1658 [a deed from Richard Sparrow to Abraham Sampson] : ...a pcell of mersh meddow Containing three acres and three quarters or therabouts bee it more or lesse ; lying on the East side of the great wood Iland in the township of Marshfeild betwixt a pcell of meddow somtimes graunted to Gorg Soule and Stephen Tracye; wherof two acres of the said three acres and three quarters was att first graunted to Joshua Pratt and by him sould to Josias Cooke; and and by him sould to Richard Sparrow ; and the other acre and three quarters graunted to Mistrs Bridgett ffuller; and exchanged with Richard Sparrow for two acres in Doties meddow..."
Mayflower Descendant, Vol. 13, p. 141-2.

1663 : "`It was voted,' on July 3, 1663, `by the towne [of Rehoboth] to send a letter to Samuel ffuller (a physician) of Plymouth, that if he will come upon trial according to his own proposition, the town is willing to accept of hom; and in case the towne and he do accord, the towne is willing to accomodate him in the best way they can for his encouragement.'
"`It was also voted and agreed that his mother should be sent, to, to see if she be willing to come and dwell amongst us, to attend on the office of a midwife, to answer the towne's necessity, which at present is great.'
"... It appears that the Plantation of Rehoboth had grown so much that there was a need for a `physician' or doctor to care for the inhabitants. Apparently, Samuel Fuller of Plymouth did not want to leave Plymouth without his mother, who was a midwife. Dr. Fuller requested permission to settle in Rehoboth, his request was granted, but he never came to Rehoboth."
John G. Erhardt, Rehoboth Plymouth Colony, 1645-1692.
Volume II (Seekonk, Mass. : The Author, 1983), p. 141.

1664 : "Prence Govr : A Deed appointed to bee Recorded To all whom these prsents may Concerne"
"Know yea that wee Bridgett Fuller and Samuell Fuller both of the towne of Plymouth in the Jurisdiction of New Plymouth for severall Reasons moveing us therunto; Doe by these prsents freely give graunt and Confeirme unto the church of Plymouth now in being for the use of a minnester; a Certain medstead or garden plott being halfe an acree more or less lying in the towne of Plymouth between a garden plott that was somtimes Mr Howlands and anoth[er] garden plott that was goodman Foards; To have and to hold the same garden plott with all the privilidges belonging therunto; To the onely proper use of the Church of Plymouth [successively] for the ends abovesaid; to them and to the said Church successively for ever; in Witnes heerof wee have mutually sett to our hands this first of March in the yeare one Thousand six hundred sixty foure
"In the presence Bridgett Fuller
of us Thomas Cushman Samuell Fuller;
Jacob Cooke I C his marke"
Mayflower Descendant, Vol. 25, p. 55.

"March 10 1724/5. At a Church meeting at the Publick Meeting House Then Deacon Foster Capt Dyer, and Mr Ephraim Morton were chosen and Appointed Agents to Settle the Bounds of the Garden Spot given by Mrs. Bridget Fuller and her son Samuel to the Church in Plymouth."
Publications of the Colonial Society of Massachusetts,
Vol. XXII : Plymouth Church Records 1620-1859 (Boston :
The Society, 1920), Part I, pg. 230.

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