Finding Your Roots

We think of Puritans as conservatives, possessed by an unyielding austerity, but in their day, they were radicals, determined to reform Christianity to its core and willing to risk their lives for their beliefs. In 1604, just before William joined their cause, the King of England essentially made their religion illegal, setting in motion an incredible series of events. Two weeks before Christmas of 1607, county officials got wind of the Puritan services taking place at Scrooby Manor. They came after the entire flock, including your ninth great grandfather, William Bradford. He was 17 years old. My God! And, and? He's a wanted man. Let's see what happened to him. Can we please turn the page? John, you see that photo? That's a photo of a jail in Boston, England. In late 1607, William and his fellow Puritans were arrested and likely thrown into one of these cells. Oh my God! Can you imagine, at 17, to be thrown in a cell with no idea of when you might be released, if ever? No! (mellow music)