Prompt Cast
America's First Murderer: The Untold Story of John Billington
TLDR This episode of "Stuff You Should Know" delves into the history of John Billington, America's first murderer, who killed a 17-year-old boy named John Newcomen over hunting rights in the Plymouth Colony. It highlights the need for multiple perspectives when examining historical accounts and the lack of firsthand information about Plymouth Colony due to a controlled narrative.
Timestamped Summary
00:00
The podcast episode titled "Selects: Who was America's first murderer?" from "Stuff You Should Know" discusses the history of America's first murderer and the lack of modern films about the Mayflower Voyage.
04:00
The podcast discusses the need for a realistic movie about the Mayflower voyage and the lack of firsthand information about Plymouth Colony due to a small group of people controlling the narrative to attract investors.
07:53
The Billington family, who were part of the Plymouth Colony, were portrayed in a negative light and disliked by William Bradford, with one of their sons almost causing a disaster on the Mayflower and another wandering off and getting involved with Native Americans.
12:16
John Billington Jr., a member of the Plymouth Colony, wandered off and was found by Native Americans, who adopted him temporarily before returning him to the colonists. John Billington Sr. had a bad reputation and was involved in anti-government activities, but was let off the hook.
16:08
John Billington Sr. and his family, including his wife Eleanor and granddaughter Dorcas, were regarded as troublemakers and faced punishments such as being locked in stocks, whipped, and fined.
20:24
Incidents of bestiality, rape, sodomy, and slander occurred in Plymouth Colony, with punishments such as hanging, whipping, and being put in the stocks, and John Billington became America's first murderer after waylaying and murdering John Newcomen over hunting rights.
24:43
John Billington, who already had a bad reputation, shot and killed a 17-year-old boy named John Newcomen with a blunderbuss after repeatedly chasing him off his land and catching him stealing from his traps.
28:44
John Billington, who was described as a beloved and fun guy by some accounts, believed that the 17-year-old boy he killed was at fault for being on his property, but it was actually Governor Bradford who ordered his death and wrote the history of Plymouth Plantation.
33:08
This episode reminds listeners to always consider multiple perspectives when examining historical accounts and concludes with some unrelated ads.
Categories:
Society & Culture
