Rpbert TILLEY (1540 – 1612) Two of Robert’s sons came to America on the Mayflower, both dying the first winter.  Robert was Alex’s 13th Great Grandfather in the Shaw line.

Robert Tilley was born in 1540 in England. His parents were William TILLEY and Agnes [__?__]. He married 1570 in Henlow, Bedfordshire, England to Elizabeth [__?__]. Robert died 31 Dec 1612 in Henlow, Bedford, England.

Elizabeth was born in 1544 in Henslow, Bedfordshire, England. Elizabeth died in 27 Mar 1614

St. Mary the Virgin Church, Henlow, Bedfordshire, England

Children of Robert and Elizabeth:

x

Children

1. John TILLEY (See his page)

2. Rose Tilley

Rose’s husband John Goods was born 1574 in Henlow, Bedfordshire, England.

5. Elizabeth Tilley

Elizabeth’s husband Richard Austin was born 1580 in Henlow, Bedfordshire, England. His parents were William Austin and Mary Bromeham. Richard died in 1613.

6. William Tilley

William’s wife Elizabeth Peppitt was born 1590 in Henlow, Bedfordshire, England. Elizabeth died 1635 in Henlow, Bedfordshire, England

7. Edward Tilley

Edward’s wife Agnes Cooper was baptized 7 Nov 1585, Henlow, Bedford, England,   Her parents were Edmund  Cooper and Mary Wyne.

Agnes’ sister Martha married James Samson, and they were the parents of Mayflower passenger Henry Samson.  Agnes’ brother Robert was  the father of Mayflower passenger Humility Cooper.

Agnes Cooper’s ancestry has been successfully traced back as far as Wido de Reinbudcourt, the Domesday Lord of Chipping Warden and Burton, Northampton, England, who lived during the 10th century; but no royal lineages have yet been noted for any of her lines..

Edward was one of the Pilgrims who came over on the Mayflower.  Tilley was also a signer of the Mayflower Compact, which has been called the world’s first written constitution.

Edward Tillie was one of the signers of the Mayflower Compact, though he didnt live through the first winter in Plymouth

Edward came to New England with his wife, Ann, his brother John, and two cousins, Henry Samson and Humility Cooper, who were children.

The first winter was very difficult for the Pilgrims, due to hunger, cold and disease. Out of the 102 Mayflower passengers, 52 of them died before spring. When the Pilgrims feared an Indian attack, they would pull the sick members out of bed, prop them up against trees, and put a gun in their hands. Governor John Carver died, and virtually every family lost a loved one. Both Edward and Ann Tilley died in that first winter, as did John Tilley and his wife, Joan.

The children survived, though. Humility Cooper was sent back to England, where she grew to adulthood. Henry Samson and Elizabeth Tilley (daughter of John and Joan Tilley) grew to adulthood in Plymouth Colony, married and thrived.

Sources:

http://trees.ancestry.com/owt/person.aspx?pid=29855914

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Tilley

http://www.mayflowerhistory.com/Passengers/EdwardTilley.php