John Turner - Mayflower Passenger
John Turner traveled on the Mayflower accompanied by his two sons, whose names are unknown. The name of his wife is also unknown. She may have remained in Holland when the Mayflower sailed or more likely died before the ship sailed, which could explain why such young sons were traveling with him. John Turner departed Plymouth, England on the Mayflower in September of 1620. The small ship had 102 passengers and a crew of about 30. After arriving and within several months, almost half the passengers died in the cold, harsh winter, including John and his two sons. Years later William Bradford wrote of their fate: "John Turner and his *2* sones all dyed in the first siknes [sickness]. But he hath a daughter [Elizabeth] still living at Salem, well married, and approved of."
Prior to his death, John Turner signed the Mayflower Compact on November 11, 1620. He was buried in Coles Hill Burial Ground in Plymouth, in an unmarked grave like most of the Mayflower passengers who died in that first winter. The Turners are memorialized on the Pilgrim Memorial Tomb on Coles Hill as "John Turner and two sons."
