Edward Winslow and his wife Elizabeth Barker Winslow arrived to the New World aboard the Mayflower in 1620. Elizabeth did not survive the first winter and died on March 24, 1621. It is thought that possibly Edward Winslow may have had two sons from this union; however, that is open to controversy.
In May 1621, Edward Winslow married Susannah White. This was the first marriage of the New England colonies and possibly its first blended family. Ms. White was the widow of William White, Plymouth colonist who died 2/21/1621. In those times when someone lost a spouse through death, remarriage occurred rather quickly out of necessity. Children needed to be raised and the work of daily life necessitated a partner to help with those duties.
Susannah was the mother of Peregrine White, who was born aboard the Mayflower while it was anchored off the coast of Plymouth. Thus, Peregrine became the first white child born to Pilgrims in the New World. Peregrine was raised by Edward Winslow, and later adopted by him. Susannah was one of only four women who survived the terrible first Pilgrim winter and one of only four to care for the remaining fifty men and children. Sadly, we do not know the date of Susannah's death but we do know that she was still alive when her husband's will was written in December of 1654.
Josiah Winslow, son of Edward and Susannah, too became Governor of Plymouth Colony in later years and he bore the distinction of being the first native-born governor to New England. He also led the Colonial militia in 1675, in the battle of King Phillips War.
The Winslows were truly the first family of New England and made many valuable contributions to the New World. Their lives and genealogy are indeed interesting and rewarding research.