About
About the Pilgrim Edward Doty Society
The Pilgrim Edward Doty Society (PEDS) was founded in 1982 by Mary Lee Merrill to preserve the history and genealogy of Pilgrim Edward Doty, one of the passengers aboard the Mayflower in 1620, and to foster fellowship among his descendants and others who share an interest in his legacy.
Over the past four decades, the Society has grown into an internationally recognized nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the story of Edward Doty, his wife Faith (Clark) Doty, and the generations of descendants who followed. As an officially recognized Mayflower family society and a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, we are committed to promoting historical preservation, genealogical research, education, and fellowship.
Our mission is to preserve and share the history of the Doty family while encouraging the study of genealogy and educating the public about the Mayflower and Plymouth Colony. We believe family history is more than names and dates—it is the story of ordinary people whose lives shaped extraordinary events. By preserving records, supporting research, and sharing knowledge, we help ensure that Edward Doty's legacy continues to inspire future generations.
Today, the Society serves descendants, genealogists, historians, educators, and history enthusiasts throughout the United States and around the world. Our work includes maintaining genealogical resources, supporting historical and DNA research, publishing educational materials, and providing opportunities for members to learn, collaborate, and share their discoveries.
The Pilgrim Edward Doty Society is governed by a volunteer Board of Trustees whose dedication and service help preserve the Society's mission for future generations. Together with our members, we remain committed to honoring the past while continuing to build a strong and welcoming community for everyone interested in the history and legacy of Edward Doty.
Photo: Strong-Hancock Funeral Home
Founder
Mary Lee Merrill is a dedicated genealogist who saw the need to connect Doty descendants and preserve the family's records — a mission that became the Pilgrim Edward Doty Society.
Our Members
Our members are typically descendants of Edward Doty — through the lines of his children Thomas, Samuel, Edward, Joseph, Isaac, Mary, Desire, Elizabeth, and John — together with spouses, family historians, and friends who share an interest in Mayflower history. The Society counted 450 members across the United States in its 2022 membership statistics, and it is run entirely by volunteers: every officer and every member of the Board of Trustees serves without pay.
Meet the Board of TrusteesPresent Board
Current leadership includes officers such as the Governor, Secretary/Treasurer, and Historian.
Past Governors & Contributors
A list of past governors and notable contributors is maintained in the Society's Bylaws and Newsletter archives.
Board Roles
- Governor
- Leads meetings and represents the Society publicly.
- Deputy Governor
- Supports the Governor and steps in as needed.
- Secretary/Treasurer
- Maintains records, meeting minutes, finances, and dues.
- Historian
- Oversees genealogical research and lineage verification.
- Webmaster
- Maintains and updates the Society's website.
- Membership Chair
- Manages membership applications and renewals.
- Newsletter Editor
- Produces and distributes the Society's newsletter.
About Being a Doty
The Doty name traces back to Edward Doty, a Mayflower passenger and signer of the Mayflower Compact in 1620. His descendants carried the name — and its variants, including Doten and Doughty — across generations. You don't need to prove direct descent from Edward to be part of this community; the Society welcomes anyone connected to the wider Doty family story.
Activities & Achievements
The principal activities of the Society include:
- Maintaining this website and its Family Trees for our Members and the public
- Publishing a quarterly Newsletter for our Members
- Organizing and conducting a Triennial Meeting for our Members, usually in Plymouth, MA
In addition, the Society has accomplished the following:
- Underwriting professional Research Studies of Edward Doty's Ancestry
- Placing memorial and historical markers for Edward and Faith
General Society of Mayflower Descendants Endorsement
The Pilgrim Edward Doty Society is a Pilgrim Family Society endorsed by the General Society of Mayflower Descendants. We encourage our Members to join and support their state Mayflower Societies.
The Doty Surname
Doty Origin & Meaning — The surname Doty has deep Anglo-Saxon roots, perhaps originating in the County of Suffolk in England before the Norman Conquest in 1066. It is thought to have been a nickname for a man who was regarded as strong and brave, derived from the Old English word doughty or dohti.
Spelling Variants
Only in the past few centuries has spelling become standardized in the English language, and vowels were used loosely even more recently. As a result, the surname Doty has many spelling variants — sometimes within a single family. Besides the familiar Doty, Doten, and Doughty, researchers have discovered these variants:
| Doety | Dotty | Doughton | Dowghtie |
| Dotchen | Dotyn | Doutee | Dowghty |
| Dotey | Doubte | Doutty | Dowtie |
| Dotte | Doughtey | Douty | Dowty |
| Dottin | Doughtie | Dowbte |
For simplicity, on this website, when we use Doty, we intend to include all of its spelling variants.
Doty Lineages in America
Not everyone in America who has the surname Doty is a descendant of Edward Doty, the Mayflower passenger. There are several separate Doty lineages, of which Edward's was only one.
Although the Pilgrim Edward Doty Society is dedicated to Edward Doty, it also hosts the family tree of Reverend Francis Doughty (1616–ca. 1670), a prominent early Colonist who is not known to have been related to Edward. The purpose of this is to help researchers untangle these separate lineages.
Ethan Allen Doty (1838–1915) — a descendant of Edward Doty, an accomplished genealogist in his day, and the compiler of the Doty-Doten Family in America (1897) — also published an article entitled “The Doughty Family of Long Island” (1912), detailing the early lineage of Reverend Doughty.