Christopher Jones (captain)

Christopher Jones (* around 1570 in Harwich , England , † March 1622 ) was an English captain and the captain of the Mayflower .

His father was a seaman and captain on several sailing ships. Christopher Jones also became a seaman, but with his own ship. He lived in Harwich until he was 40 and then moved to Rotherhithe . The first ship he went on was named after his wife "Jasian". In 1608 he sold the ship and bought the "Mayflower" with three other investors. The Mayflower was mainly used to transport goods from England to France and returned with French wine.

In 1620 the Mayflower and her captain were rented by the Pilgrim Fathers . The captain was to take them with their goods to northern Virginia. The Mayflower set sail from Plymouth on September 6, 1620 and reached Cape Cod on November 21, 1620. The ship did not return to England until May 1621. Christopher Jones still used the Mayflower for a trip to France, but died shortly afterwards in March 1622. He was buried at St. Mary's Cathedral in Rotherhithe.

He had nine children, few of whom survived childhood.

Web links

• Crew of the Mayflower (section Christopher Jones )