52 ANCESTORS 52 WEEKS  -   LUCKY

I would not be here except for the luck of my ancestor, John Howland.

John Howland was born about 1599, probably in Fenstanton, Huntingtonshire, England. He came on the Mayflower in 1620 as a manservant of Governor John Carver. During the Mayflower's voyage, Howland fell overboard during a storm, and was almost lost at sea--but luckily he managed to grab hold of the topsail halyards, giving the crew enough time to rescue him with a boat-hook.

He married another passenger on the Mayflower, Elizabeth Tilley who was traveling with her Aunt, Uncle and parents. They had ten children after settling in Massachusetts. 

I am descended from John and Elizabeth Howland’s, daughter, Hope Howland born 1629 in Plymouth, Massachusetts.

There is a wonderful book written about John Howland’s adventure getting on the Mayflower, his fall into the ocean and his staying in America and building a legacy.  The book is “The Boy Who Fell off the Mayflower or John Howland’s Good Fortune” by P. J. Lynch.  There is also a beautiful painting called “Howland Overboard," by maritime artist Mike Haywood.