The Passing of William Butten

On this day in 1620 the only passenger to die on the Mayflower's voyage from England to America passed away, just three days before land was sighted.  Little is known about the young man, William Butten, who was a servant of the doctor Samuel Fuller.  He is recorded as “a youth” by William Bradford in his list of passengers.  He joined the voyage with the Fuller family and was unwell throughout the voyage.  His place of rest is unknown and his name is on memorial stone erected by Massachusetts Society of Mayflower descendants. ​

This scene was built by James Pegrum as part of a series of models on the voyage of the Mayflower. Follow us on  Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to see them first.