GENERATION 11

GENERATION 10

Biography

CONSTANT SOUTHWORTH was born in Leyden, Holland, in 1615. He and his brother, Thomas, must have had the advantages of the Dutch life and schools, until their family moved back to England in 1620. The following year their father died, and they lived with their mother, and later with their aunt. In 1621 their mother went to America, where she married Gov. William Bradford. They joined her there in 1628.

These two brothers must have played along the sands of Plymouth harbor as teenagers, and fished the waters and hunted the woods nearby. Later in life they would work the fields. Along with this primitive life was combined their education. They would have started this education in Holland, and doubtlessly their mother continued this education. More than likely, the worthy governor father also aided in their instruction.

Little need be said of the training in righteousness and godliness. That was the necessary result of living in such a household. The Bible was the book of the home and they knew its precepts and followed its counsels all their lives.

CONSTANT was admitted as freeman of the colony in 1636-37, Thomas in 1642-43. Thenceforth they took their share in the duties of free citizens of New Plymouth. in 1637, CONSTANT volunteered to go "against the Peguin Indians in revenge of the innocent blood of the English the said Pequins have barbarously shed to join with those sent by the Massachusetts Bay and Connecticut".

In 1640 he was surveyor of highway for Duxbury, and in 1646 was appointed ensign bearer for Duxbury Company, and this was his highest military honor.

The council of war, to which both brothers were elected, was formed in 1653 to organize better methods to arm and deploy a militia, if necessary. He was a member of the Council 1658-1667

CONSTANT was constable for Duxburrow Co., 1645-1657; allowed to sell wine in Duxburrow, 1648; revenue officer, 1662; deputy for Duxburrow, 1653-68; treasurer of the colony, 1659-78.

CONSTANT was employed in purchasing land from the Indians, in laying out the boundaries between towns or between estates of two citizens, in laying out roads, buiding bridges, prisons, enlarging the house of the governor, providing for entertainment for the governor and members of the court, settling disputes, quieting irritation and discontentment, caring for the preservation of the peace, feeding the small army the colony sent against the Indians. Hew was called upon to settle the debts of Edward Hall, who left the colony, leaving behind his many unpaid bills.

Also, he was supervisor of the will and estate of James and Mary Lendall, deceased, and had to care for the interests of their children. He was also to provide tuition of the oldest child, who chose him as guardian. This gives us insight into his character, respected by children and adults alike.

As treasurer, he had an opportunity to know what land was of value, and had opportunities to select and purchase choise parcels of land. He dealt considerably in land. CONSTANT died Mar. 10, 1678/79, and left a considerable estate of several hundred pounds.

Much more is written about the life and community involvement of CONSTANT in "A Genealogy of the Southworth's", by Samuel G. Webber.