Words of caution: This site provides direct links to old text books that provide interesting perspectives into the lives of the earliest settlers. Many of the texts are over 100 years old and since their initial publication further research has refined and revised some of the names, dates and events. Even with these limitations I hope you enjoy seeing how the story of the earliest settlers were told in times gone past.
For a current modern view of the Alden family genealogy I suggest visting the The Alden Kindred of America website which can be found at http://www.alden.org/.
John Alden , the “Pilgrim,” was born about 1599, probably in England, though his history prior to his joining the Mayflower Company at Southampton in August, 1620, is as yet unknown. The year of his birth is inferred from a deposition made at Plymouth, July 6, 1682, in which he stated he was then aged 83. He was one of the signers of the
‘Compact” on board the Mayflower at Cape Cod, November 21, 1620, and landed with the other passengers at Plymouth in December. Source: [ Page 9 of John Alden of Ashfield, Mass. by Frank Wesley Alden published 1909 ]
We have gathered links to books that provide insight into the descendants of John Alden. They are organized by generation with link the the underlying books written between 1890’s and 1900’s which are all freely available.
*********************************************************
********PAGE UNDER CONSTRUCTION **********
*********************************************************
1st Generation – John Alen the Pilgrim born 1599 England
*********************************************************
Elizabeth, born about 1624, as she died May 31, 1717, in the 93rd year of her age. She married Dec. 26, 1644, William Paybody of Little Compton, R. I., and was
an ancestor of Henry W. Longfellow. They had 13 children. One died young. John, Sarah, Elizabeth, Ruth, Mary, Rebecca, Mercy, Hannah, Martha, William, Priscilla, and Lydia.[ source ]
——————————————————————————————————————
John, the “Captain,” mariner of Boston, born about 1626, as his gravestone gives age as 75 at his death March 14, 1902. He married Elizabeth Everell Phillips Apr. 1, 1660. He was an honored member of the Old South Church, Boston. His antique slate headstone is imbedded in a side wall of the porch of the New Old South Church. They had 13 children. Several died young (John, Nathaniel, Elizabeth. Zachariah, William, Henry).[ source ]
——————————————————————————————————————
Joseph, born probably in 1627, and after the division of cattle on June 1st, as he is not mentioned in the list with his elder sister and brother : died February 8,1697. He married Mary Simmons. They had 5 children (Isaac, Elizabeth, Joseph, Mary and John).[ source ]
——————————————————————————————————————
Sarah, born about 1629, died before June, 1688. She married Alexander Standish, of Duxbury, son of Captain Miles Standish. He probably could “speak for himself.” They had 7 children (Myles, Mary, Ebenezer, Elizabeth, Lorah, Sarah and Lydia).[ source ]
——————————————————————————————————————
Jonathan, born about 1632, as his gravestone states that he died February 14, 1697, in the 65th year of his age ; Captain in the Militia. He administered on and inherited his father’s estate in Duxbury. He married Abigail Hallett Dec. 10, 1672. They had 4 children (Andrew, John, Jonathan, Benjamin).[ source ]
——————————————————————————————————————
Ruth, born 16—, died October 12, 1674. She married, John Bass of Braintree Feb. 3, 1657, and was an ancestor of John Adams and John Quincy Adams. They had 7 children (John, Mary, Samuel, Sarah, Ruth, Phillip, Hannah).[ source ]
——————————————————————————————————————
Mary, born 16—, married, it is generally stated, Dr. Thomas Delano, of Duxbury, and died before 1699, when her husband married a second wife, though there is no record to prove that Delano’s wife was named Mary. (“Mayflower Descendant,” Vol. VI, page 22.)[ source ]
——————————————————————————————————————
David, born 1646, died 1719, married Constant or Mercy Southworth. He was active in church and public affairs in Duxbury. He is believed to have been the last born of the children of John and Priscilla. They had 5 children (Ruth, Samuel, Alice, Sarah, Benjamin).[ source ]
——————————————————————————————————————
At some dates prior to 1646, the following- children, it is surmised, may have been born, completing the number to eleven. Of these very little is known.
ix. Zachariah. Mitchell states that Auna Alden who married Josiah Snell in 1699, was a daughter of Zachariah, who, through her, was an ancestor of William Cullen Bryant.
x. Rebecca, mentioned in colonial records as of marriageable age in 1661, and therefore probably a daughter of Johni .
xi. Priscilla, signed settlement of estate of Johnl , but it is doubtful whether she was the widow or a daughter.[ source ]
——————————————————————————————————————
——————————————————————————————————————
Ruth Alden Marriage to John Bass
Ruth Alden had learned the art of cookery, and the plain details of family life; had learned the necessity of prayer, and of obedience. This was Ruth’s preparatory course for wifehood aud motherhood. John Bass of Braintree,—now Quincy, —was one of her admirers, and when he continued to repeat his visits, it was evident that he was on an errand of love, and the result was that on December third, 1657, John Bass and Ruth Alden were married at Duxbury, by her father, John Alden, magistrate. Ruth’s new home was near her husband’s kindred in Braintree, and near, also, to the home of Joseph Adams, who had married and settled there a few years previous. So their families grew up together, and inter-married.[ source ]
At the time of their marriage, John Bass and Ruth Alden were not far from twenty-five years of age. John was a young man of good habits, devoted to religion, had some means and was of excellent parentage, therefore Ruth’s prospects in life were considered most promising. In about a year, a little baby boy was welcomed to their home,—he was the father’s namesake ; in due time Samuel came, to keep little John company. Then followed a little girl, who was named for her mother ; later came Joseph, Hannah, Mary, and Sarah. We can see plainly that Ruth Alden Bass was living a very busy life. [ source ]
After the birth of the youngest child, Sarah, it was noticeable that the mother was failing in health ; two years later Ruth Alden Bass passed away, her earthly work finished at middle life. John Bass and his seven children were left to mourn her loss. Ruth’s influence survived her, and the . children ever lived an honor to her name. These children formed seven distinct lines of descendants, —viz : John Bass, Jr., married Joseph Adam’s daughter, Abigail. Samuel Bass married Mary Adams, who, also, was a daughter of Joseph Adams; Ruth Bass married Mr. Welsbey ; Joseph Bass married Mary Belcher . Hannah Bass married Joseph, son of Joseph Adams ; Mary Bass married first Mr. Webb, then William Copeland ; Sarah Bass married Ephraim Thayer.[ source ]
——————————————————————————————————————