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Praying for freedom

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Pioneers of religious tolerance and greater freedom of worship, the Pilgrim Fathers set up one of the first colonies in North America in a bid to escape persecution in England. Each year, America celebrates the anniversary of their first harvest at Thanksgiving and the 102 original passengers of the Mayflower are thought to have more than a million descendants in the US today.

The north Nottinghamshire district of Bassetlaw plays an integral part in the story of the Pilgrim Fathers. Scrooby postmaster William Brewster and Richard Clyfton, a parson from Babworth, were part of a local group – called the Separatists – who wanted to reform the church system in England. All Saints’ Church in Babworth is closely tied to the origins of the Separatists. Richard Clyfton was parson here from 1586 to 1605 and William Brewster and William Bradford – who would eventually become Governor of the new colony, 3,000 miles away – were among his friends.

Following the Pilgrims’ Way north from Babworth leads to Scrooby, home to William Brewster before his epic journey. He lived at Scrooby Manor House after inheriting his father’s position as bailiff to the Archbishops' estates and held meetings of the Scrooby Separatists Congregation here from 1606–1607.

The Separatists met in secret, fearing persecution for their beliefs. In 1607, many of the group decided to move to the Netherlands, a country that was far more accepting of unorthodox religious beliefs. But, twelve years later, the economic situation of the group, who had settled in Leyden, was bleak. The decision was made to move on. Thirty five of the original Scrooby Separatists joined the Mayflower at Plymouth and made the arduous crossing to the New World.

Scrooby's link to the Separatists was overlooked for 250 years after the initial Mayflower voyage. It was not until the Victorian period, around 1860, that relatives retracing their roots back to the area visited Scrooby. The largest number of people to visit the village came in 1970 on the 350th anniversary of the crossing. In Scrooby, there are a number of plaques dedicated to the Separatists. 

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