William Brewster: an English Separatist
“… many became enlightened by the Word of God and had their ignorance and sins discovered unto them, and began by His grace to reform their lives and make conscience of their ways … “… they shook off this yoke of antichristian bondage, and as the Lord’s free people joined themselves (by a covenant of the Lord) into a church estate, in the fellowship of the gospel, to walk in all His ways made known, or to be made known unto them, according to their best endeavours, whatsoever it should cost them, the Lord assisting them. And that it cost them something this ensuing history will declare … “… besides other worthy men, was Mr. Richard Clyfton, a grave and reverend preacher, who by his pains and diligence had done much good, and under God had been a means of the conversion of many. And also that famous and worthy man Mr. John Robinson, who afterwards was their pastor for many years, till the Lord took him away by death. Also Mr. William Brewster a reverend man,
who afterwards was chosen an elder of the church and lived with them till old age.”
William Bradford, Of Plymouth Plantation 1620-1647, ed. Samuel Eliot Morison (New York: Knopf, 1991), p. 8-10.

William Brewster and the Separatists in Holland

“… by a joint consent they resolved to go into the Low Countries … “Now when Mr. Robinson, Mr. Brewster and other principal members were come over (for they were of the last and stayed to help the weakest over before them) such things were thought on as were necessary for their settling and best ordering of the church affairs… “Being thus settled [in Leyden] (after many difficulties) they continued many years in a comfortable condition, enjoying much sweet and delightful society and spiritual comfort together in the ways of God, under the able ministry and prudent government of Mr. John Robinson and Mr. William Brewster who was an assistant unto him in the place of an Elder, unto which he was now called and chosen by the Church.” William Bradford, Of Plymouth Plantation 1620-1647, ed. Samuel Eliot Morison (New York: Knopf, 1991), p. 10-17

William and Mary Brewster in the Records of Leiden, Holland

“Besset, Willem of Sandwich in England, Hodman, widr. of Sisle Lecht (Cecily Light), acc. by Rogier Wilson and Willem Bruystaert (William Brewster) his acq. betr. 19 March 1611 to Maycken Botler (Mary Butler) of Norwich in England, acc. by Anna Foller and Roos Leyl her acq. The bride died before the publication of the third bann. … “Boeckrum, Willem (William Buckram) of Ipswich in England, widr. of Judick Boeckrums (Judith Buckram), Blockmaker acc. by Willem Bruyster (William Brewster) and Abraham Graey his acq. Betr. 30 Nov. 1611, mar. 17 Dec. 1611 to Lisbeth Neel of Scrooby in England, acc. by Briggita Robbensz (Bridget Robinson nee White) and Jannetgen Thickins her acq. …

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