Voting Station

John Billington

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Murderer

The Resume

    (circa 1580-September 30, 1630)
    Born in England
    Came to Plymouth on the Mayflower
    Was not a member of the Pilgrim religious community
    Shot and killed John Newcomen
    Found guilty of murder and hanged
    First murder and first execution in the American colonies

Why he might be annoying:

    He was involved in an attempted mutiny on the Mayflower.
    His son came alarmingly close to blowing up the ship when he fired a musket next to an open barrel of gunpowder.
    He was responsible for the 'first offense' after landing, when he challenged the captain's authority using foul language.
    He was implicated in a plot to overthrow the colony's government
    William Bradford said, 'He is a knave, and so will live and die.'

Why he might not be annoying:

    He was one of the signers of the Mayflower Compact.
    The evidence against him was circumstantial.
    His defenders have claimed that Governor Bradford, who had long disliked him, used his influence to ensure a conviction.
    Since he came over on the Mayflower, there are plenty of Americans proud to claim him as an ancestor. (While presumably glossing over just what he did after getting off the ship.)
    One of his descendants was President James A. Garfield.

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 3 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 9 Votes: 88.89% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 5 Votes: 80.0% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 24 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 10 Votes: 70.0% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 7 Votes: 28.57% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 2 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 12 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 21 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 32 Votes: 53.12% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 10 Votes: 40.0% Annoying