The barn made from the timbers of the Mayflower may be on a farm in Old Jordans, Buckinghamshire, England. Coincidentally William Penn and his wives are buried on what was part of the same farm. The earliest known history of the farm was 1618 when Thomas Russell, then tenet, bought the freeholds. The barn dates from about 1624 and was the main barn for the farm. It was usual in the 17th century for the timbers of old ships to be reused. Many were made into barns.The deed for the purchase, with the thumbprints of the principals can still be seen in one of the rooms for the barn. One of the timbers bears the letters 'R HAR I' which may have been part of the words 'MAYFLOWER HARWICH.' Doors with intricate carvings are identified as being from the Mayflower. Thomas Russell's son, William, took over the management of the farm in 1639. He was a member of the Society of Friends (Quakers). William Penn, no doubt, would be surprised to learn that Americans celebrate his birthday Oct. 24 when he was actually born Oct. 14, 1644. The difference is because of the change from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar. The politicians in Harrisburg, PA solved the problem by passing a bill that established Oct. 24 as the proper date. Philadelphia Quakers visiting England some years ago were dismayed to find that Penn's grave was overgrown with weeds. They tried to have his remains removed to Pennsylvania. The British demurred, but the cemetery has been cleaned and the meeting house restored to an active friends meeting.
From: The Family Tree, December 1995. How accurate is this? We may never know for sure. More information about the Mayflower can be found at mayflower forum .