The Pilgrim Fathers Leave Leiden
In July 1620, a group of Separatists — the Pilgrim Fathers — left Leiden and started their journey to America. From Leiden, they traveled to Delfshaven. There is a small sculpture on the bank of Vliet canal that commemorates the event.
The sculpture does not mark the spot from where the Pilgrim Fathers left for Delfshaven. The sculpture is close to the Leiden Archives, where the Pilgrim Archives are stored. They boarded their boat for Delfshaven near John Robinson’s home, however, they did sail past this spot and under the Vliet Bridge.
Pilgrim Fathers Memorial Map
The sculpture is difficult to see. It is on the far bank, beneath the branches of the trees.
Pilgrim Fathers Memorial Text
The names of the Pilgrim Fathers who left in 1620 — and the Separatists that followed in later years — are inscribed on the ground leading up to the sculpture. The text reads:
Allerton – Alston – Barker
Barlow – Bassett – Blossom
Bompass – Bradford
Brewster – Browne – Carey
Carpenter – Carver – Chandler
Chilton – Cooke – Cooper
Crackston – Cushman
Cuthbertson – De Lannoy
Dunham – English – Fletcher
Fuller – Goodall – Goodman
Hanson – Heale – Hooke
Jenney – Lee – Mahieu
Masterson – Minter – Mitchell
Morton – Nicholas – Norris
Pontus – Priest – Ring
Robinson – Rogers – Samson
Southworth – Standish
Symonson – Tillie – Tinker
Tracey – Turner – White
Willett – Williams – Winslow
Wood – Wright
Vanaf hier vertrokken de Pilgrims uit
Leiden op weg naar de nieuwe wereld
1620 – 1647
From here the Pilgrims left Leiden
on their journey to the new world
Leiden, Netherlands — Where the Mayflower Voyage Started for the Pilgrim Fathers
In 2020 the United States, England, and the Netherlands commemorated the 400-year anniversary of the Separatists — the Pilgrim Fathers — leaving Leiden after 12 years in exile. For the Pilgrim Fathers, the Mayflower journey to America started here. This video provides a quick overview of many of the historic sites in Leiden that are related to the Pilgrim Fathers.