Love Brewster was a member of the early Plymouth community in New England. Born about 1611 in Holland, he came to America as a child aboard the Mayflower in 1620. He was one of the younger members of a family that left England for religious freedom and settlement in the New World.

Early life and family

Contemporary accounts and later genealogies identify Love as a son of William Brewster and Mary Brewster. His parents were part of the Separatist congregation that lived in Holland before making the transatlantic crossing. Because he arrived as a child, Love’s early years reflect the experience of the second generation of Pilgrims who grew up between European roots and colonial life.

Adult life and role in the colony

By the 1630s Love Brewster was established in the Plymouth area. He married Sarah Collier in 1634 in Plymouth Colony and the couple had several children. He later lived in Duxbury, a nearby settlement founded by other members of his family and of the original company. Records indicate he participated in town affairs, managed land and household responsibilities, and contributed to the development of the local community.

Legacy and notable facts

Love Brewster died around 1651 in Duxbury. As one of the Pilgrim children who reached adulthood, he represents the generation that carried forward the colony’s institutions and family lines. The given name "Love" illustrates a Puritan practice of using virtue names that was common among Separatist families. Modern interest in Love Brewster often centers on genealogical research and the wider story of the Mayflower passengers and their descendants.