Myles Standish Dies on this day in 1656

Captain Myles Standish Kt. (c. 1584 – October 3, 1656), was an English-born professional soldier hired by the Pilgrims as military advisor for Plymouth colony. Arriving on the Mayflower, he worked on colonial defense. On February 17, 1621, he was appointed the first commander of Plymouth colony. Later, he served as Plymouth's representative in England, and served as assistant governor and as the colony's treasurer. He was also one of the founders of the town of Duxbury, Massachusetts.

After the Pilgrims hired Standish as Military Captain for the voyage to America, he was soon to be one of the members to sign the Mayflower Compact at Cape Cod November 11, 1620. After the voyage, Standish was elected Military Captain of the colony by the leadership of the Pilgrims.

Soon after arriving at Plymouth, the first illness struck the Pilgrims and this sickness took his wife Rose’s life, on January 29, 1621; In 1623, a woman named Barbara came to Plymouth on the ship Anne, and Myles married her that same year. Myles and Barbara had seven children together. They were Charles (died young), Alexander (who married Sarah Alden, daughter of John Alden and Priscilla Mullins), John, Myles, Loara, Josiah, and Charles
Through all the continued sickness, Standish was one of the seven that did not get sick; William Bradford quoted:

"But that was most sad and lamentable was, that in two or three months’ time half of their company died, especially in January and February.... So as their died some times two or three of a day in the foresaid time, that 100 and odd persons, scarce fifty remained. And of these, in the time of most distress, there was but six or seven sound persons who to their great commendation, be it spoken, spared no pains night or day, but with abundance of toil and hazard of their own health, fetched them wood, made them fires, dressed their meat, made their beds, washed their clothes clothed and unclothed them… Two of these seven were Mr. William Brewster, their reverend Elder, and Myles Standish, their captain and military commander, unto whom myself and many others were much beholden in our low and sick condition. "

Standish died in Duxbury Massachusetts on October 3, 1656. Nathaniel Morton wrote of his death:

"This year [1656] Captain Myles Standish expired his mortal life. . . .In his younger time he went over into the low countries, and was a soldier there, and came acquainted with the church at Leynden, and came over into New England, with such of them as at the first set out the plantation of New Plymouth, and bare a deep share of their first difficulties, and was always very faithful to their interest. He growing ancient, became sick of the stone, or stranguary, whereof, after his suffering of much dolorous pain, he fell asleep in the Lord, and was Honorably buried at Duxbury."
------------------------
I spoke with our North Carolina attorney yesterday regarding our appearance with the mediator and also with the attorney for the Rhino Times. The Monday deposition was suppose to be in the morning but it is going to be rescheduled until Monday afternoon.

The phone was quiet yesterday morning but in the afternoon it picked up.

I have a letter that I prepared detailing the legal expenses on this issue with The Rhino Times. This will be emailed Wednesday evening so watch for it. We are also going to mail it by "snail mail" but I am not sure when it will get sent off. Most likely it will be printed while I am in North Carolina and prepared for mailing and then mailed next Tuesday or Wednesday.

We have an issue of The Crusader at the printer. I spoke with him today and he will have it printed and sent back to us probably on Friday. This will be prepared and delivery into your mail box around the 25th of October. Some people may get it a little sooner and some a little later.

Rachel Pendergraft if going to be out of town a few days before the 20th to meet with our printer who will be publishing our tabloid paper. As I have said before we have had some challenges in making this transition. It has to do with technocal stuff such transfering the date electronicly so it will be suitable for their presses. Even though it has been a little frustrating, I am confident it will be resolved. However, don’t fear she will still be in Pulaski for the White Christian Heritage Festival. Heritage Connection singers will also be there.

I will be writing on my blog early Thursday morning (We have to leave here around 3:30 am to catch our plane in Fayetteville), but I am not sure what if anything will be written while I am out of town. But check anyway, as I am will try to put something up on it while I am gone.

Please make every effort to be in Pulaski for this annual White Christian Heritage Festival. This is always a lot of fun and if you are within 500 miles than there is little excuse not being there. Remember it is time for White people to stick together. If you are not willing to do your part than you have no right to complain.

God bless you all!