Brewster, William

elder of the Pilgrim fathers, was born, so. far as can be ascertained, at Scrooby, England, in 1560, and was educated at the University of Cambridge. During his college course of study he became a Christian. William Davison, who had been appointed ambassador of queen Elizabeth in Holland, received him into his service, and formed for him an enduring friendship. On returning from Holland Brewster took up his residence in his native place. Not satisfied with the religious condition of affairs in the Church of England, he left it and joined the Puritans. In the attempt which was made by himself, Bradford, and others to escape from England to go to Holland, where they hoped to enjoy religious liberty, he was seized and thrown into prison, and lost no small part of his property. At length he, with his impoverished family. reached Leysden, and, for a time, devoted himself to teaching and printing. He was chosen a ruling elder of the Church in Leyden, and when it was decided by the Pilgrims to leave the Old World for the New, he was among the first company which came to this country in 1620. For several years the Plymouth Church was without a regularly ordained minister. Elder Brewster supplied the want, in so far as preaching was concerned, but would not administer the sacraments. He died about April 16, 1644. His life was one of great usefulness, and his holy influence was felt among the Pilgrims long after his decease. See Belknap, Amer. Biog. 2:252-256; Allen, Ames. Biog. s.v. (J.C.S.)