

Looking toward the ocean from there, the view is spectacular. The Peregrine White homestead is located at the base of Snake Hill. The weathervane that stands at the top of Marshfield’s Town Hall depicts Peregrine on his horse. Peregrine White passed away in 1704, at age 84. In her later years, she would receive a daily visit from her son, who rode a black horse and wore a coat “with buttons the size of a Spanish dollar.” Susannah White died in 1680. Peregrine is fondly remembered in Marshfield for his devotion to his mother. These were located on the path from Bridgewater to Plymouth, and he sold them. In 1665, to honor Peregrine White for being “the first white native in New England,” the General Court awarded him 200 acres of land. At that time, some of the original timbers were still in place in the house. At the beginning of the 20th century, its owner was Alonzo Ewell, who is said to have kept the largest flocks of poultry, ducks, geese and pigeons in Marshfield. The road from South River Street to his homestead is now named after him. His estate remained in the White family for five generations, until about 1870. (William Bassett was granted 100 acres at the base of Snake Hill in 1640.) Through the years, Peregrine purchased several adjacent pieces of land. They lived on Sarah’s family’s land, on the banks of the South River, across from what was then the river mouth. Peregrine White married Sarah Bassett in 1648, and they had 6 children together. In 1700, at the age of 80, he became the town’s school keeper.

In 1698, at age 78, he joined the church - many decades beyond what was the norm in those days. He was a well respected member of the early Marshfield community, serving as a member of the General Court, and the Council of War, and also working as a surveyor. He continued his military service, eventually earning the title of Captain. In 1636, at age 16, Peregrine White volunteered as a soldier in the Pequot War. A sister, Elizabeth, completed the family. Together with their mother, stepfather, and brother, Peregrine White and his older brother, Resolved, settled in Marshfield in the early 1630s. Edward and Susannah’s first child together, Josiah, arrived in 1629. Edward Winslow was a leader in the colony, and served several terms as governor. (Both of their spouses had succumbed to illness that first winter in Plymouth.) This was the first marriage ceremony in Plymouth Colony. After William’s death in 1621, Susannah married Edward Winslow. His parents were William and Susannah White. He is celebrated as the first English child to be born in New England. Peregrine White was born on the Mayflower in 1620, when it was anchored at Provincetown. At one time there was a saltworks nearby. Peregrine White was the first child born to the Pilgrims in the New World. After he married in 1648, he built a home here. 104 Peregrine White Dr, Marshfield, MA 02050, USA
