George Soule
Encyclopedia
Mayflower Compact
The Mayflower Compact was the first governing document of Plymouth Colony. It was written by the colonists, later together known to history as the Pilgrims, who crossed the Atlantic aboard the Mayflower...
, and one of the original 102 Pilgrims who arrived on 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...
to Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1620.
Biography
Soule was born in EnglandEngland
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...
about 1595, and as a young man became a teacher to Edward Winslow
Edward Winslow
Edward Winslow was an English Pilgrim leader on the Mayflower. He served as the governor of Plymouth Colony in 1633, 1636, and finally in 1644...
's children. Soule came with Winslow to America on the Mayflower in 1620 probably as an indentured servant
Indentured servant
Indentured servitude refers to the historical practice of contracting to work for a fixed period of time, typically three to seven years, in exchange for transportation, food, clothing, lodging and other necessities during the term of indenture. Usually the father made the arrangements and signed...
. He was one of forty-one signers of the Mayflower Compact
Mayflower Compact
The Mayflower Compact was the first governing document of Plymouth Colony. It was written by the colonists, later together known to history as the Pilgrims, who crossed the Atlantic aboard the Mayflower...
in November 1620. Soule was among the one half of the population that survived the first winter in Plymouth and was present at the time of the "First Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving (United States)
Thanksgiving, or Thanksgiving Day, is a holiday celebrated in the United States on the fourth Thursday in November. It has officially been an annual tradition since 1863, when, during the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national day of thanksgiving to be celebrated on Thursday,...
" in 1621. In the 1623 Plymouth division of lands, Soule received 1 acres (4,046.9 m²) as a passenger on the Mayflower. About 1626, Soule married a woman named Mary (likely Mary Buckett), and they had nine children: Zacariah, John, Nathaniel, George, Susanna West, Mary, Elizabeth, Patience, and Benjamin. In 1637, Soule volunteered to serve during the Pequot War
Pequot War
The Pequot War was an armed conflict between 1634–1638 between the Pequot tribe against an alliance of the Massachusetts Bay, Plymouth, and Saybrook colonies who were aided by their Native American allies . Hundreds were killed; hundreds more were captured and sold into slavery to the West Indies. ...
. Soule moved to Duxbury, Massachusetts at some point before 1642 and eventually became a prominent landowner there. He served as a deputy (representative) for Duxbury to the Plymouth General Court
Plymouth General Court
The Plymouth General Court was the original colonial legislature of the Plymouth colony from 1620 to 1692...
and on many committees in 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...
. Soule died in 1680, leaving a sizable estate. He was likely buried in Miles Standish Burial Ground where a stone was later erected in his memory.
Children of George Soule and birth years
- Zachariah Soule (22 May 1627)
- John Soule (about 1632)
- Nathaniel Soule (about 1637)
- George Soule (about 1639)
- Susanna Soule (West) (about 1642)
- Mary Soule (Peterson) (about 1644)
- Elizabeth Soule (Walker) (about 1648)
- Patience Soule (Haskell) (about 1648)
- Benjamin Soule (about 1651)
Notable descendants
- Richard GereRichard GereRichard Tiffany Gere is an American actor. He began acting in the 1970s, playing a supporting role in Looking for Mr. Goodbar, and a starring role in Days of Heaven. He came to prominence in 1980 for his role in the film American Gigolo, which established him as a leading man and a sex symbol...
, American actor - Joshua SouleJoshua SouleJoshua Soule was an American bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church , and then of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.-Birth and rebirth:...
, Methodist-Episcopal Bishop - George SouléGeorge SouleGeorge Soule was a signer of the Mayflower Compact, and one of the original 102 Pilgrims who arrived on the Mayflower to Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1620.-Biography:...
, founder of Soulé Steam Feed WorksSoulé Steam Feed WorksSoulé Steam Feed Works is a historic business founded in Meridian, Mississippi in 1891 by George Soulé. The complex was listed as a contributing property to Union Station Historic District, which was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979 under the Meridian Multiple Resource... - Dick Van DykeDick Van DykeRichard Wayne "Dick" Van Dyke is an American actor, comedian, writer, and producer with a career spanning six decades. He is the older brother of Jerry Van Dyke, and father of Barry Van Dyke...
, American actor - Jerry Van DykeJerry Van DykeJerry Van Dyke is an American comedian and actor. He is the younger brother of comedian and actor Dick Van Dyke, and made his acting debut on The Dick Van Dyke Show with several guest appearances as Rob Petrie's brother, Stacey...
, American actor - William West, Rhode Island politician, American RevolutionAmerican RevolutionThe American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
general
See also
- Mayflower CompactMayflower CompactThe Mayflower Compact was the first governing document of Plymouth Colony. It was written by the colonists, later together known to history as the Pilgrims, who crossed the Atlantic aboard the Mayflower...
- Plymouth, Massachusetts
- Pilgrims
- Society of Mayflower Descendants