In early 14th century England, the Winslow family emerged as a loosely knit clan living near the hamlet of Winslow, from which they adopted their name (located 50 miles northwest of London.) Kenelm was the third son and fourth child of Edward Winslow and Magdalene (Ollyver) of Droitwich, Worcestershire, Eng. Kenelm was born on Sunday, April 29, 1599, and baptized the Thursday following on May 3, 1599.

Edward Winslow, the eldest son and brother to Kenelm, arrived in the new world on the Mayflower in 1620 at the age of 25. The Pilgrims first made harbor in Provincetown before Plymouth.

The landing of the Pilgrims in Plymouth was the culmination of a month of exploration on Cape Cod.

“After the passengers on board signed the Compact on Saturday November 11, had their church service on Sunday the 12^th and made their initial landing in Provincetown on Monday the 13^th, they spent the next four weeks exploring, seeking a place to settle.  They were looking for a tract of abandoned (and cleared) land, fresh water, a shallow harbor, and a high hill.  During their explorations they found no place on Cape Cod that had all four of these ingredients.”

Edward was central to the Pilgrim community. “He played a strong, diplomatic role with the local Wampanoag tribes. He became close friends with the chief, and served two terms as Governor of the colony. He wrote several books about the colony and traveled back and forth to London several times. After the revolution in England he also performed duties at the request of Oliver Cromwell. In fact, a statue of him exists today in his hometown of Droitwich, England.”

Kenelm and his brother Josiah arrived at Plymouth Colony on May 15, 1629 from Gravesend in a party of 35 on the Mayflower (a second ship by the popular name.) As was appropriate of a Pilgrim, Kenelm arrived in the Colony with skills. He was a joiner; carpenter; cabinet maker, coffin maker; planter; designer and builder of fine furniture in early colony. Many of his pieces are still preserved in Metropolitan Museum today.

Elinor (Ellen) Worden Newton Adams arrived on the Anne at Plymouth on July 10, 1623. Elinor was a young widow of 25 yrs old when she emigrated. Upon arrival in the new world, Elinor married John Adams, a carpenter. He died in 1633. Adams had arrived on the Fortune in 1621.

Kenelm married Elinor on June 1, 1634. Kenelm is considered a Founding Father as he (and Elinor) were surviving settlers of New Plymouth. They moved to Marshfield in 1641 where he had a grant of land which was considered the Eden of the region, Green’s Harbor. He was one of the 26 original proprietors of Assonet, Mass., purchased from the Indians on April 2, 1659.

Kenelm and Elinor had 4 surviving children in 30 years. The home Kenelm built in Marshfield still stands today as one of the very, oldest homes in the United States.

There are many records of Kenelm due he was known to be ‘spirited.’ Meaning, he had quite a temper – which lead to considerable litigation. He was apparently of a quarrelsome disposition having spent about four weeks in prison for calling the church leaders of Marshfield liars. He even picked a fight with Myles Standish! He didn’t win.

Kenelm was not perfect. He was a craftsman and like many artists – he had a temper. He was “most likely a perfectionist who had trouble dealing with some of the realities of the people and situations around him. Plymouth society was very controlling and required a great deal of conformity.” Evidence tells us he was at odds with these constraints.

On September 13, 1672, Kenelm “dyed at Salem and was buried there 13 Sept., 1672.” He was 73 years old. According to Rev. L. R. Paige, he died there “apparently after a long sickness; for in his will dated five weeks earlier, 8 Aug. 1672, he describes himself as ‘being very sick and drawing nigh unto Death.’ He may have been in Salem on a visit to Mrs. Elizabeth Corwin, [Curwen] daughter of his brother Edward Winslow, or perhaps, for the purpose of obtaining medical aid.”

Elinor died December 5, 1681 in Marshfield, MA (where she is buried), at 83 years of age.

Kenelm and Elinor Winslow are my 9th great-parents through my paternal side. I am grateful. I look forward to exploring not only their stories and lore, but my other Pilgrim relatives as well on my blog. Because you don’t just find one person, you discover a whole lot more.