The Pilgrim Fathers

A meeting of the Pilgrim Fathers prior to their sailing in the Mayflower is said to have taken place in Billericay, and many local names and much historical imagery reflect this: Mayflower House, Morris Men, Taxis, School, Hall.

Sunnymede School's houses were called Mayflower, Pilgrim, Chantry and Martin (after Christopher Martin, a Billericay merchant who travelled on the Mayflower as Ship's Governor). Four people from Billericay were on board, including Christopher Martin. He and his wife Marie, along with Solomon Prowe and John Langemore, perished shortly after their arrival at Cape Cod, Massachusetts. The unfortunate fate of the would-be pioneers did not deter other inhabitants of Billericay from setting sail for the New World.

The town of Billerica, Massachusetts was established in 1655 to commemorate the origins of some of the first settlers.

To find out ore about the Billericay Twinning Association please click here.