John Churchill of Plymouth may have emigrated to the New World to escape a civil war breaking out in England in 1642. It is also possible he was escaping poverty in his hometown of Dorchester where farmland was scarce. He was not deeply religious like the Pilgrims. Anyhow, we do know that he was in Plymouth by 1643, more than 20 years after the first Mayflower, ready to marry and be a farmer.

At 30, Hannah Pontus was rather old in 1644 when she married John Churchill. However, she was related to Governor Bradford, so John was politically well connected by marrying Hannah. Despite her age, Hannah provided John with six children.

John bought Richard Higgins' farm August 18, 1645, probably with help from Governor Bradford. The deed written out by Mr. Higgins says that the buyer was "John Churchwell."

John Churchill (or Churchwell) was propounded a freeman June 4, 1650, and "admitted" to vote on June 5, 1651. He was doing well financially, because a man who was poor would not have been allowed to vote in those days.

John bought 10 acres of upland on October 20, 1652, after his father-in-law died, using money his wife Hannah had inherited from her dad.
The occupation of John Churchill was listed as that of a "planter." His home was located in Plymouth at a place known locally as "Hobbs Hole." He died in 1662, leaving behind six young children, the oldest being only 16.