William Bradford

Major William Bradford (a.k.a. William Bradford IV and William Bradford the Younger; 16 June 1624 – 20 February 1703) was a political and military leader in Plymouth Colony in the late 17th century. Early life Major Bradford was the son of Governor William Bradford and his second wife, Alice Carpenter Southworth. Born four years after the Pilgrims arrival in 1620, William was his father's second child, but the first born in the new world. His older half-brother John Bradford had been left behind in Leiden, Netherlands. Military service Bradford was commissioned as the ensign (3rd in command) of the Plymouth militia company on 7 March 1648. He held this position until he was promoted to lieutenant on 2 October 1659.