America's founding fathers were Essex boys, according to claims

America’s Founding Fathers were actually Essex boys, with Plymouth accused of "hijacking" the Mayflower, the ship that carried them to North America nearly 400 years ago, according to claims.

America’s Founding Fathers were actually Essex boys, with Plymouth accused of 'hijacking' the Mayflower, the ship that carried them to North America nearly 400 years ago, according to claims.
Although Plymouth has become closely associated with the Mayflower, Harwich claims it was no more than luck that the ship stopped at that port at all Credit: Photo: Alamy

A rival claim to the Mayflower by the port town of Harwich states that the ship's crew were from Essex and only set foot briefly in the West Country before starting their transatlantic voyage.

The claim has taken on extra significance as the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower's voyage in 2020 nears - Plymouth has already sent an invitation to whoever is the President of the United States in seven years' time.

Although Plymouth has become closely associated with the Mayflower, Harwich claims it was no more than luck that the ship stopped at that port at all.

Harwich's supporters say their town was the Mayflower's home port, the place she was built and the birthplace of her captain.

A charity, the Harwich Mayflower Project, wants to launch a full-size replica of the 100ft vessel and sail it to America for the anniversary, but organisers of the £2.5 million project say their fund-raising efforts are being hampered by Plymouth's monopoly of the Mayflower story, the Times has reported.

Plymouth's own plans to launch a replica failed to materialise due to lack of funds in January last year.

The Devon city has a marina, language school, a Rotary club, a sailing club, a museum, and a swimming pool among the many places that bear the name Mayflower, as well as the Mayflower Steps, from which the pilgrims are said to have embarked.

Andy March, the organiser of the Harwich Mayflower Project, said: "Plymouth has grabbed the limelight but the vessel has much closer ties with Harwich, where she was built. It may put Plymouth noses out of joint, but we are determined that everyone should know of Harwich's role."

John Acton, a backer of the Harwich scheme, said: "I think it is shocking that Plymouth should be the only English place associated with the Mayflower and her extraordinary voyage to America.

"They have effectively hijacked the ship and claimed it as their own, but history tells us that the Mayflower was only there to take on supplies and to pick up passengers from an accompanying ship that sprang a leak.

"The Americans are hugely interested in the Founding Fathers, who had very strong ties with this region. Many of the towns in the northeast United States have names like Ipswich, Colchester, Cambridge, Norwich and Harwich, which reflects the closeness with East Anglia. We want them to know that the real home of the Mayflower is here in Essex, not in Devon."

Mr Acton is now claiming legal ownership of the replica Mayflower's first voyage to America, in an attempt to stop Plymouth cashing in on the event. He has lodged papers declaring that the Harwich group has the rights to the name as well as all merchandising.

In 1609, when the ship was built, Mayflower was a very popular name for vessels, so to distinguish her she was referred to as the Mayflower of Harwich in official records.

A spokeswoman for Plymouth City Council declined to discuss the rival claim but said: "The Mayflower departed from Plymouth on September 8, 1620, nearly 400 years ago on its Pilgrim voyage to New England. The journey and the vessel are a piece of our country's history and we are proud to celebrate being a part of that."