John Carver was the first and shortest-lived governor of the Plymouth Colony. He acted as a community leader while the Pilgrims prepared to leave Leiden, helping negotiate with the Virginia Company. He was married to Catherine (White) Leggatt by 1609. His was the first signature on the Mayflower Compact. He died after working in the fields on a hot day in April the spring after their arrival. ". . . His death was much lamented and caused a great heaviness amongst them," related Bradford.