Biographical Summary
Edward Leister (or Litster) came on the
Mayflower as a servant to Stephen Hopkins, along with Edward
Doty. The two would engage themselves in a duel in June 1621,
wounding each other before their fight was broken up. They were
sentenced to have their head and feet tied together for a full day, but
were released after an hour, because of their apparent suffering, and
the pleas of their master Stephen Hopkins.
Edward Leister and Edward Doty were apparently the last two individuals
to sign the Mayflower Compact, and some have suggested that meant they
were probably somewhat involved in the "mutinous speeches."
Leister was still in Plymouth in 1623, apparently still a servant, but
as soon as his contract was up he left Plymouth for Virginia, perhaps as
early as 1624. He died in Virginia sometime prior to 1651, but no
records of his life or activities in Jamestown have been noted--so he
may well have died fairly soon after his arrival there. |
