Winthrop, and other the ablest gentlemen in the Bay of Massachusetts, that were then newly come over, who concurred with them that he ought to die, and the land be purged from blood. 'This as it was the first execution amongst them, so was it a matter of great sadness unto them they used all due means about his trial, and took the advice of Mr.

And was for the same accordingly executed. 'This year John Billington the elder (one that came over with the first) was arraigned and both by grand, and petty jury found guilty of willful murder by plain and notorious evidence. Of the incident involving Billington and Newcomen, Bradford wrote the following: Governor William Bradford documented the group's experiences in an historic book titled 'Bradford's History of Plymouth Plantation, 1606-1646', which is regarded as the most authoritative account of the Pilgrims and the early years in Plymouth Colony, The pair are believed to have been enemies for some time, with Newcomen becoming the first white settler to be murdered by another white settler in Plymouth Colony.īillington was subsequently tried for murder, found guilty and executed by hanging. John Billington's criminal activity continued to escalate, until in 1630 he shot and killed John Newcomen. On another occasion, he was implicated in the Oldham-Lyford scandal - a revolt against the rule of the Plymouth church - though he was never officially punished. He was regularly involved in disputes and civil disobedience, and was accused of secretly supporting local dissenters who were sending political letters back to England, written to undermine the colony. However, the Billingtons became well-known as the troublemakers of the group, and Billington subsequently became the first person to commit a crime in America in 1621 when he refused to obey military orders. The family all survived the dangers of the transatlantic crossing, as well as the first harsh winter, before Billington became one of the 41 “true” Pilgrims who signed the Mayflower Compact. John Billington boarded the Mayflower in 1620 with his wife, Ellen, and their two sons, John and Francis.

Research has found a Will naming Francis Billington as an heir to property in Cowbit, but there are no other known records.Īn illustration of the signing of the Mayflower Compact The voyage and time in Plymouth Colony Not much is known about John Billington, but records suggest he was probably born in around 1580 - most likely near Cowbit or Spalding in Lincolnshire.īillington was not known to the Pilgrims Separatists and joined the Mayflower in London, so it's likely he and his family bought their passage from the London Merchants. Picture by Richard Humphrey Who was John Billington? He was even one of the 41 'true' Pilgrims who signed the Mayflower Compact, and counts actor Richard Gere amongst his many descendants around the world today.īut Billington's place in history was truly cemented in 1630 when he shot and killed a fellow colonist - a deed which would make him forever known as America's first murderer.Ĭowbit in Lincolnshire. John Billington and his family miraculously all survived the first harsh winter in Massachusetts which claimed the lives of so many who had boarded the ship in Plymouth on 16 September, 1620. Less than a decade after landing in America, the passengers and crew who had travelled across the Atlantic on the Mayflower - and those who had followed on subsequent voyages - were still finding their feet when a terrible crime occurred that would send shockwaves through Plymouth Colony.

Worst crime ever committed in america