Christopher Jones (sailor)
Encyclopedia
Christopher Jones was an English
sailor
, and master of the Mayflower
between at least 1609 and 1622, who captained it on the transatlantic voyage that established the Plymouth Colony
settlement. He was not a Plymouth Leader.
Jones was born in about 1570 in Harwich
, Essex
, England, the son of Christopher and Sybil Jones. When his father died, he received a ship called Marie Fortune. Jones married Sarah Twitt on 23 December 1593; she died, and was buried on 23 May 1603 in Harwich. Jones married again later that year, on 2 November 1603, to Josian Grey née Thompson (from Maldon in Essex), and shortly thereafter moved to Rotherhithe
, London. He later owned a ship called the Josian, named after his wife. He came from Harwich and his oldhouse is still in the old town.
In 1609, he became the master of the Mayflower, owning a quarter of the ship. The ship was employed transporting goods such as wine, spices, and furs. In 1620, he took the Pilgrims to Plymouth, Massachusetts. The Jones River
in nearby Kingston, Massachusetts
was named by the Pilgrims after Captain Jones.
Jones was buried in the graveyard of St. Mary's Church, Rotherhithe
, England
on 5 March 1622
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
sailor
Sailor
A sailor, mariner, or seaman is a person who navigates water-borne vessels or assists in their operation, maintenance, or service. The term can apply to professional mariners, military personnel, and recreational sailors as well as a plethora of other uses...
, and master of the Mayflower
Mayflower
The Mayflower was the ship that transported the English Separatists, better known as the Pilgrims, from a site near the Mayflower Steps in Plymouth, England, to Plymouth, Massachusetts, , in 1620...
between at least 1609 and 1622, who captained it on the transatlantic voyage that established the Plymouth Colony
Plymouth Colony
Plymouth Colony was an English colonial venture in North America from 1620 to 1691. The first settlement of the Plymouth Colony was at New Plymouth, a location previously surveyed and named by Captain John Smith. The settlement, which served as the capital of the colony, is today the modern town...
settlement. He was not a Plymouth Leader.
Jones was born in about 1570 in Harwich
Harwich
Harwich is a town in Essex, England and one of the Haven ports, located on the coast with the North Sea to the east. It is in the Tendring district. Nearby places include Felixstowe to the northeast, Ipswich to the northwest, Colchester to the southwest and Clacton-on-Sea to the south...
, Essex
Essex
Essex is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England, and one of the home counties. It is located to the northeast of Greater London. It borders with Cambridgeshire and Suffolk to the north, Hertfordshire to the west, Kent to the South and London to the south west...
, England, the son of Christopher and Sybil Jones. When his father died, he received a ship called Marie Fortune. Jones married Sarah Twitt on 23 December 1593; she died, and was buried on 23 May 1603 in Harwich. Jones married again later that year, on 2 November 1603, to Josian Grey née Thompson (from Maldon in Essex), and shortly thereafter moved to Rotherhithe
Rotherhithe
Rotherhithe is a residential district in inner southeast London, England and part of the London Borough of Southwark. It is located on a peninsula on the south bank of the Thames, facing Wapping and the Isle of Dogs on the north bank, and is a part of the Docklands area...
, London. He later owned a ship called the Josian, named after his wife. He came from Harwich and his oldhouse is still in the old town.
In 1609, he became the master of the Mayflower, owning a quarter of the ship. The ship was employed transporting goods such as wine, spices, and furs. In 1620, he took the Pilgrims to Plymouth, Massachusetts. The Jones River
Jones River
The Jones River is a river running through Kingston, Massachusetts. The river drains about , has its source in Silver Lake and drains into Kingston Bay. Land surrounding the river is 52% forested, of which 22% has been developed for residential use...
in nearby Kingston, Massachusetts
Kingston, Massachusetts
Kingston is a coastal town in Plymouth County, Massachusetts, United States. According to the 2010 Census, it had a population of 12,629.-History:Before European settlers arrived in Kingston it was within the tribal home to the Wampanoag people...
was named by the Pilgrims after Captain Jones.
Jones was buried in the graveyard of St. Mary's Church, Rotherhithe
St. Mary's Church, Rotherhithe
St Mary's Church, Rotherhithe is the local Church of England parish church in Rotherhithe, formerly in Surrey and now part of south east London. The parish is now within the diocese of Southwark and under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Fulham...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
on 5 March 1622