The Biographical Dictionary of America/Alden, John

ALDEN, John, Pilgrim, was born in England in 1599. He was a cooper and when the Mayflower put in to Southampton, in a leaky condition, he was hired to make repairs and persuaded to join the Pilgrims, with the privilege of returning to England with the vessel. Before making a landing at Plymouth he signed the contract in the cabin of the Mayflower off Cape Cod. He was the youngest of the signers and the last survivor. He became an active member of the colony, was an assistant in 1633, and served from 1650 to 1686. From 1641 to 1642, and from 1645 to 1649 he was deputy from Duxbury. He was a soldier in Captain Miles Standish's company in 1643; a member of the council of war in 1653 to 1660, and 1675 to 1676, and treasurer of the colony from 1656 to 1659. The romantic incident of his life in connection with Priscilla Mullins, whom he married in 1623, has been told by Longfellow in "Miles Standish's Courtship." His blundering attempts to woo the Pilgrim girl for his friend, the maid's refusal of the doughty captain, and her arch, "Why don't you speak for yourself John?" are well known. Many and very worthy descendants have sprung from this marriage. Mr. Alden was highly respected by the colonists for his integrity and his practical good sense. For several years he served as magistrate. He died in Duxbury, Mass., Sept. 12, 1687.