Overview

Richard More (born circa 1614) was one of the children sent to New England on the Mayflower in 1620. His life illustrates several common strands of the early colonial period: forced migration, indentured servitude, maritime commerce, and military action at sea. By the end of a long life he had worked as a sailor, rose to command ships, and played a notable role in keeping colonial outposts supplied and connected to transatlantic trade. For a brief note on dates and estimations, see birth estimate.

Early life and the Mayflower voyage

As a child Richard and his siblings were removed from their mother’s household under circumstances that contemporary sources described as a family custody dispute. They were placed as servants to passengers bound for New England and travelled on the Mayflower in 1620. Records of the voyage list the children among the party; for the Mayflower manifest and related passenger notes see Mayflower passenger sources. Of the siblings sent with him, only Richard survived to adulthood.

Maritime career and colonial service

After growing up in the colony, Richard More became a professional seaman. Contemporary accounts and later summaries describe his work as a sailor and, later, as a ship captain engaged in trade between New England, England and the West Indies. For summaries of his nautical career see sailor records and captain records. He is often described simply as a ship captain in surviving lists.

Several accounts credit him with delivering provisions at critical moments, helping to relieve at least one struggling settlement that faced food shortages; see contemporary references to colonial relief and reports of starvation threats. He also engaged in regular commerce, moving goods that sustained the economic links between the colonies, the mother country, and Caribbean ports (trade routes).

Conflict and later life

In the mid-17th century Richard took part in naval actions against European rivals; reports note his involvement in sea battles against French forces in or around 1664. After decades at sea he settled into civilian life and left a family. His descendants have been traced by genealogists and family historians; for discussions of the family case and genealogy see More family records.

Notable points

  • Example of a child sent from England and raised in New England as an indentured servant.
  • Transition from servant to seaman and then to ship captain and merchant.
  • Participation in supply voyages that helped sustain early colonies.
  • Involvement in 17th-century naval conflicts and long-term presence in colonial mercantile networks.

Richard More's story is often cited as both a personal family drama and a representative example of how maritime skill and trade opportunities could reshape the lives of early colonists.