Consolidation
Again the colony was facing a shortage of food and ways and means were
discussed for raising larger and better crops. This brought about a
change of the policy which had been imposed upon them in the last clause
of their contract with the Merchant Adventurers. It was a practical
repudiation of a policy that destroyed individual initiative. It is
expressed in Bradford’s own words as follows:—“So they began to think
how they might raise as much corn as they could and obtain a better crop
than they had done. At length, after much debate of things, the Governor
(with the advice of the chief amongst them) gave way that they should
set corn every man for his own and in that regard, trust to themselves.
And so assigned to every family a parcel of land according to a
proportion of their number for that end. This had very good success, for
it made all hands very industrious, so as much more corn was planted
than otherwise would have been. The women now went willingly into the
field, which before would allege weakness and inability; whom to have
compelled, would have been thought great tyranny and oppression.”
“The experience that was had in this common course and condition, tried
sundry years, and that amongst godly and sober men, may well evince the
vanity of that conceit of Plato and other ancients, applauded by some of
later time; that the taking away of property and bringing in community
into a commonwealth, would make them happy and flourishing as if they
were wiser than God. For this community was found to breed much
confusion and discontent and retard much employment that would have been
to their benefit and comfort. For the young men that were most able and
fit for labor and service did repine that they should spend their time
and strength to work for other men’s wives and children without any
recompence. The strong had no more of victuals and clothes than he that
was weak and not able to do a quarter the other could; this was thought
injustice. The aged and graver men to be ranked and equalized in labor,
victuals and clothes, etc., with the younger, thought it some indignity
and disrespect unto them. And for men’s wives to be commanded to do
service for other men, as dressing their meat, washing their clothes,
etc., they deemed it a kind of slavery, neither could many husbands well
brook it.”
In this way provision was made for their future needs, as “God in his
wisdom saw another course fitter for them.”
Arrival of Anne and Little James
In the summer of 1623 two vessels arrived, the Anne and the Little
James. They brought about a hundred additional members to the Plymouth
Colony, some being the wives and children of those already here. The
Anne the larger vessel, having been chartered by the Adventurers,
returned on September 20th, laden with clapboards and beaver. “Mr.
Winslow was sent over with her to inform of all things, and procure such
things as were thought needful for their present condition.”
During the period before the harvest, the enlarged community subsisted
mainly upon fish and shell fish, the latter apparently being in
abundance. The one boat was used in turn by different groups that all
might share in the labor in proportion to their number. An occasional
deer made a welcome addition to their larder, and, as those who had
lately arrived had brought provisions sufficient to sustain themselves,
they were able to carry on until the new harvest.
This was evidently an abundant one, for as Bradford describes it; “By
this time harvest was come, and instead of famine, now God gave them
plenty, and the face of things was changed, to the rejoicing of the
hearts of many, for which they blessed God. And the effect of their
particular planting was well seen, for all had, one way and other,
pretty well to bring the year about, and some of the abler and more
industrious had to spare, and sell to others, so as any general want or
famine has not been amongst them since to this day.”
[Sidenote: 1624]
The harvest under the new conditions having proved a success it was
followed by an equal division of land. “And to every person was given
only one acre of land, to them and theirs, as near the town as might be
and they had no more until the seven years had expired. The reason was
that they might be kept close together both for more safety and defence,
and the better improvement of the general employments.”
Early this year, the time of election of officers having arrived and the
members of the colony having increased, it was considered advisable to
provide more assistance to the Governor. “The issue was, that as before
there was but one assistant, they now chose 5, giving the Governor a
double voice; and afterwards they increased them to 7, which course hath
continued to this day.”
In the spring Edward Winslow returned from England. His mission had two
objectives, viz., to acquaint the Merchant Adventurers with the exact
condition of the Plymouth Colony, their progress and their needs and to
obtain certain necessary supplies. He reported dissension among the
English company as a result of which, one faction sent over a Mr. Lyford
who with one John Oldham, who had come over in the Anne, attempted to
create an unfavorable impression in their report to the Adventurers.
Letters of Oldham were intercepted, and, faced with the proof of their
duplicity, which they couldn’t deny, they were forced to leave the
colony.
A ship-carpenter arriving on the ship with Mr. Winslow, proved of great
value. He had completed the building of several small craft when he was
stricken with fever. Bradford says of him: “He quickly built them 2 very
good and strong shallops (which after did them great service) and a
great and strong lighter, and had hewn timber for 2 catches; but that
was lost, for he fell into a fever and though he had the best means the
place could afford, yet he died.”
The First Cattle
An important acquisition to the colony was brought over by Mr. Winslow.
This consisted of three heifers and a bull, “the first beginning of any
cattle of that kind in the land.” Of the increment of this small herd,
mention is made later.
Mr. Winslow, who had gone back to England in the fall of 1624 now
returned. He brought a letter from some of their friends in the English
company to the effect that the company was dissolved and that the
agreement by which they were sharers and partners was no longer in
effect and that ways and means should be devised whereby their
advancements would be secured. This letter states: “Now we think it but
reason, that all such things that there appertain to the general, be
kept and preserved together and rather increased daily, than anyway be
dispersed, and, after your necessities are served, you gather together
such commodities as the company yields and send them over to pay debts
and clear engagements here, which are not less than 1400 pounds.”
Two vessels had been sent over to expedite their settlement. The larger
a cargo of dried fish, but because there was threat of war with France
the master “neglected (through timerousness) his order and put first
into Plymouth and after into Portsmouth.” This was much to their loss
for the cargo “would have yielded them (as such fish was sold that
season) 1800 pounds, which would have enriched them.”
The smaller vessel, the Little James, (before mentioned) with a cargo of
700 lbs. of beaver skins, was captured by a Turkish man-of-war.
Captain Standish had left on the larger vessel with letters and
instructions to arrange with the Council of New England and those of the
company “which still clave to them” for easier terms in their purchase
of supplies and future transactions. They had sustained heavy losses
although there were some redeeming offsets as: “after harvest this year,
they sent out a boat’s load of corn 40 or 50 degrees to the eastward up
a river called Kenebeck (Kennebec); it being one of those two shallops
which their carpenter had built them the year before. God preserved them
and gave them good success for they brought home 700 lbs. of beaver
besides some other furs.”
[Sidenote: 1626]
In April Captain Standish returned bringing news of the death of their
former pastor, John Robinson, also that of Robert Cushman who had been
active in the affairs of the colony. The year thus had a cloudy
beginning. They had been unsuccessful in their fishing enterprises and
had turned to the intensive cultivation of corn which not only served
them as a food staple but as a medium of exchange, as money they had
little of.
At a time when they were in need of equipment to carry on their work to
the best advantage, they heard that a plantation at Monhegan, owned by a
Plymouth (England) company, of Merchants, was to “break up and divers
useful goods sold.” Whereupon Governor Bradford and Mr. Winslow “took a
boat and some hands and went thither.” These goods they bought in part
with another party. They also acquired a “parcel of goats which they
distributed at home as they saw need and occasion.”
They also obtained some rugs and other commodities from a French ship
that had been cast away on the coast, all of which added to their
material comfort.
They had been paying a high rate of interest to the English company and
they “sent Mr. Allerton into England to make a composition upon as good
terms as he could (unto which some way had been made the year before by
Captain Standish) but yet enjoined him not to conclude absolutely until
they knew the terms.” They also gave him a commission to secure further
supplies for the colony.
[Sidenote: 1627]
Mr. Allerton returned from England with the needed supplies, also the
agreement which he had affected with the remaining members of the
English company. The essence of this agreement was that upon the payment
of 1800 pounds, in yearly installments of 200 pounds, the Plymouth
Colony would be relieved of their obligations. While this was approved
by “all the plantation and consented unto” it was actually assumed by
seven or eight “in behalf of the rest.”
The second allotment of land was made in January of this year, on the
basis of first, that the original allotment wherein one acre was given
to every person, should stand, and, second, that this, the second
division, “should consist of twenty acres to every person, and to
contain five in breadth and four in length; and so accordingly to be
divided by lot, to every one which was to have a share therein.” There
followed several provisions, one to the effect “that fowling, fishing
and hunting be free.”
In May a division of cattle was made from the three cows and bull
brought over in 1624 there had been a substantial increase “which arose
to this proportion: a cow to six persons or shares, and two goats to the
same, which were first equalized for age and goodness and then allotted
for; single persons consorting with others, as they thought good and
smaller families likewise; and swine though more in number, yet by the
same rule.”
Mr. Allerton was again sent to England with power to conclude the
contract previously alluded to, with certain provisions. These
provisions, while still obligating “William Bradford, Captain Myles
Standish, Isaac Allerton, etc.” in the performance thereof, gave them a
tangible means of securing themselves. They also sent “what beaver skins
they could spare to pay some of their engagements and to defray his
charge.” He was also authorized to “procure a patent for a fit trading
place in the river of Kenebeck.” He was to express further the hope that
their friends in Leyden might join them, in which case “they should
thankfully accept of their love and partnership herein.”
[Sidenote: 1628]
Early in the spring of 1628 Mr. Allerton returned with the report that
he had effected an arrangement whereby: “William Bradford, Governor of
Plymouth in N. E., in America, Isaac Allerton, Myles Standish, William
Brewster and Ed. Winslow of Plymouth, aforesaid, merchants, do by these
presents for us and in our names, make, substitute and appoint James
Sherley, Goldsmith, and John Beachamp, Salter, citizens of London, our
true and lawful agents, factors, substitutes and assignees,” etc., etc.
He also brought a “reasonable supply of goods for the plantation and
without those great interests as before is noted.” And he “had settled
things in a good and hopeful way.”
He had obtained a patent for a trading post at Kennebec, “but it was so
ill bounded, as they were fain to renew and enlarge it the next year.”
It developed that Mr. Allerton had been taking advantage of his
opportunity in his visits to England, to trade on his own account thus
acquiring the profit that should by right, go to the company. These
transactions were first overlooked for he had been of “good and faithful
service.”
About this time trading was inaugurated with the Dutch of New Amsterdam
who had previously approached the Plymouth colony with that end in view.
It was during this period that wampum was developed, both as a commodity
and as a medium of exchange.
The Wollaston Incident
The life of the colony was broken by some disquieting incidents. From
the settlements at Wollaston (now a part of Quincy) came reports of
trouble. Captain Wollaston, the founder of this colony, had departed for
Virginia with some of his retainers, leaving one Fitcher to govern in
his place. Among those of his party left behind was a Thomas Morton who,
“having more craft than honesty, persuaded them to ‘thrust out
Fitcher.’” Whereupon, “they fell to great licentiousness and Morton
became lord of misrule and maintained (as it were) a school of Atheism.”
They erected a Maypole around which they drank and danced. They
furnished firearms to the Indians and the means of moulding shot; they
danced and caroused, inviting Indian women for their consorts. This went
on until the more ordered among them appealed to Plymouth to “suppress
Morton and his consorts before they grew to further head and strength.”
Two letters of remonstrance to Morton having been received with
insolence and defiance, Captain Standish was called into action and
proceeded with some others to take Morton by force. This they did after
a show of resistance. He had “made fast his doors, armed his consorts,
set divers dishes of powder and bullets ready on the table; and, if they
had not been over armed with drink, more hurt might have been done. At
length, fearing that they would do some violence to the house, he and
some of his crew came out, not to yield but to shoot. But they were so
steeled with drink their pieces were too heavy for them and one was so
drunk that he ran his nose upon the point of a sword.” Morton was taken
to Plymouth and later sent to England, together with a report of his
conduct to the Council of New England.
[Sidenote: 1629]
In 1629 the colony received thirty-five additional members from the
Leyden Congregation. They arrived with John Endicott and his company at
Salem on the ship Mayflower (not the same Mayflower that had brought the
Pilgrims to Plymouth). A charter had been granted to Endicott for
territory in and around Massachusetts Bay. A letter came at this time
from John Sherley addressed to Governor Bradford to the effect that “Mr.
Beachamp and myself, with Mr. Andrews and Mr. Hatherly, are, with your
love and liking, joined partners with you.” etc.
On the 13th of January of this year a patent was granted to William
Bradford and Associates. This enlarged the original grant and included
territory on the Kennebec river where a trading post had already been
established. This patent, bearing the signature of the Earl of Warwick,
was later transferred to the Colony and is now in the Registry of Deeds
at Plymouth.
The First Settled Minister
The first settled minister was Ralph Smith, a graduate of Cambridge
University, England, who had come with his family to the Massachusetts
Bay Colony. He arrived in Plymouth in 1629 and served as minister until
1636. He was succeeded by John Rayner, a graduate of Magdalen College,
who continued his ministry until 1654.
During Mr. Smith’s incumbency it is probable that services were held in
both the Fort on Burial Hill and the Common House on what is now Leyden
Street as the first meeting-house which faced Town Square was not built
until 1637.
[Sidenote: 1630]
In May, 1630, the colony was further augmented by the arrival of “16 or
18” more of their Leyden brethren who had come to Boston with John
Winthrop and his company. These arrivals, while welcome, increased the
financial burden now resting heavily upon the shoulders of those who had
assumed the obligations.
First Capital Offence
This year John Billington, the elder who had before been charged with
minor offences, was tried and executed for murder. “He was arraigned by
both grand and petit jury” and “found guilty of willful murder by plain
and notorious evidence.”
Their Obligations Increase
Having become dissatisfied with the way the affairs of the colony were
being conducted in England, Mr. Winslow was sent over to effect an
accounting while Mr. Allerton was discharged.
It developed that while the indebtedness of 1800 pounds previously
assumed had been reduced to 1000 pounds, subsequent transactions engaged
in by Mr. Allerton had increased their obligations by 4700 pounds. While
it appears that Allerton had used the opportunity he enjoyed for his
personal gain, the attitude of the Plymouth Colony toward him was one of
generosity as shown by the following: “It is like, though Mr. Allerton
might think not to wrong the plantation in the main, yet his own gain
and private ends led him aside in these things; for it came to be known,
and I have it in a letter under Mr. Sherley’s hand, that in the first 2
or 3 years of his employment, he had cleared up 400 pounds and put it in
a brewhouse in London, at first under Mr. Shirley’s name, etc.”
[Sidenote: 1632]
While the colony assumed this added burden of indebtedness, their income
seems to have increased likewise. “The Lord prospered their trading” and
“they made yearly large returns.” Cattle and corn increased in value and
thus encouraged “there was no longer holding them together, but now they
must of necessity, go to their great lots; they could not otherwise keep
their cattle, and, having oxen grown, they must have land for plowing
and tillage.”
The influx into the Massachusetts Bay colony gave impulse to this
movement and to the increase in the price of cattle and products of the
plantations. It resulted in the establishments of settlements where the
quality of the soil encouraged cultivation. Thus the nucleus of future
towns began to appear with separate places of worship, in the territory
both to the north and south of Plymouth.
Roger Williams
[Sidenote: 1633]
Roger Williams, who had come from the Massachusetts Bay colony to
Plymouth, was born in Wales and matriculated at Pembroke College,
Cambridge. Historians differ somewhat as to his teachings and practice.
Perhaps Bradford understood him best. Let him speak: “Mr. Roger Williams
(a man godly and zealous, having many precious parts, but very unsettled
in judgment) came over first to Massachusetts, but upon some discontent,
left the place and came hither (where he was friendly entertained,
according to their poor ability) and exercised his gifts amongst them,
and after some time was admitted a member of the church: and his
teaching well approved, for the benefit whereof I still bless God, and
am thankful to him, even for his sharpest admonitions and reproofs, so
far as they agree with truth. He this year began to fall into some
strange opinions, and from opinion to practice; which caused some
controversy between part, by occasion whereof he left them something
abruptly.” etc.
Winslow Elected Governor
This year Edward Winslow was elected Governor. He was re-elected in
1634-1636-1638-1644, William Bradford serving from 1621 until his death
in 1657 with the exception of these five years.
Trading was now begun on the Connecticut river and a post established
there.
The Colony was attacked by an epidemic which took over twenty lives,
including that of Samuel Fuller, their physician and surgeon who “had
been a great help and comfort to them.”
[Sidenote: 1636]
In 1636 owing to the growth of the original plantation and the
establishments of separate settlements at Scituate and Duxbury, the
purely democratic rule which had obtained under the Mayflower Compact,
wherein matters pertaining to the interests of the colony were settled
in general assembly, was superseded by a law passed providing for
government by deputies representing the several towns.
[Sidenote: 1639]
In 1639 the first legislative body brought together representatives from
the towns of Sandwich, Barnstable, Yarmouth, Taunton, Scituate, Duxbury
and Plymouth. Thus we have representative government in its formative
state.
Boundaries Established
[Sidenote: 1640]
In 1640 the boundaries of the Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay colonies
were established. In the several patents there had been some overlapping
of territory. This resulted in considerable controversy. “The Court of
Massachusetts appointed some to range their lines according to the
bounds of their patent, and (as they went to work) they made it to take
in all Scituate and I know not how much more. Again, on the other hand,
according to the line of the patent of this place, it would take in
Hingham and much more within their bounds.”
After much discussion it was finally settled on the 9th of April and
subscribed to by William Bradford and Edward Winslow for Plymouth and
John Endicott and Israell Stoughton for Massachusetts Bay.
[Sidenote: 1643]
The death of William Brewster occurred early in 1643. Bradford speaks of
him in endearing terms: “I am to begin this year with that which was a
matter of great sadness and mourning unto them all. About the 18th of
April died my dear and loving friend, Mr. William Brewster, a man who
had done and suffered much for the Lord Jesus and the gospels sake and
had borne his part in well and woe with this poor persecuted church
above 36 years, in England, Holland and in this wilderness and done the
Lord and them faithful service in his place and calling.” etc.
New England Confederacy
Due to the plottings of the Narragansetts and what seemed to be a
general Indian conspiracy against the English settlers, it was decided
to form an alliance with Connecticut for mutual protection. This is
recorded in the Plymouth records as of June 6th, 1643, as follows: “It
is ordered and concluded by the Court that Mr. Edward Winslow and Mr.
William Collyer shall have full Commission and Authority in Name of the
whole Court to subscribe the Articles of Confederation (now read in the
Court) with the Massachusetts, Connecticut and New Haven and to
subscribe the same in name of the whole and to affix thereto the common
seal of the Government.” (sic.)—Plymouth records, Hazard’s Historical
Collection. Volume 1. p. 496.
Shortly thereafter a final liquidation of the obligations of the
Plymouth Colony to their English partners and associates was effected.
This was based upon Articles of Agreement made and signed on October
15th, 1641,[14] by “John Atwode[15] (Atwood), William Bradford, Edward
Winslow, etc.”—Page 452, Bradford’s History of The Plymouth Plantation.
In the face of the adversities that had beset them from the beginning
and from which they were never entirely free, this seems a noteworthy
achievement.
[Sidenote: 1649]
In 1649 the Town of Plymouth made choice of “seven discreet men whose
duty it was to act in behalf of the town in disposing of lands; to make
inquiry into the state and condition of the poor, to provide for their
comfortable support and to find them employment; to direct to the proper
means of relief for the aged and decrepid; and to attend to the affairs
of the town generally.”
The foregoing together with a law passed in 1665 extended the functions
of the board, “a group which may well have been the forerunner of our
present Board of Selectmen.”
Conclusion
It would be interesting to follow in detail the development of the
Plymouth Colony and its gradual transition from the primitive settlement
to the flourishing shire town of the county. But this is a Pilgrim story
and the writer bows to the limitations of time and space.
The Pilgrims sought refuge far from their homeland. They established a
separate church, but they were still subjects of the crown. They were to
know little or nothing of the future developments which were to lead
eventually to complete independence from the mother country.
Nevertheless they left an unparalleled example of devotion to a cause.
In pursuit of religious freedom, in reverence, in the exigencies of
primitive government, they sowed the seed of an ideal Americanism, that
God willing, will forever endure.
Complete Genealogical List of “Mayflower” Passengers
Prepared and reprinted through the courtesy of George Ernest Bowman,
editor of “The Mayflower Descendant”
The 50 passengers from whom descent can be proved:
John Alden
Isaac Allerton
wife Mary
daughter Mary
daughter Remember
John Billington
wife Eleanor
son Francis
William Bradford
William Brewster
wife Mary
son Love
Peter Brown
James Chilton
wife ——
daughter Mary
Francis Cooke
son John
Edward Doty
Francis Eaton
wife Sarah
son Samuel
Edward Fuller
wife ——
son Samuel
Dr. Samuel Fuller
Stephen Hopkins
2nd wife, Elizabeth
son Gyles (by 1st wife)
daughter Constance (by 1st wife)
John Howland
Richard More
William Mullins
wife Alice
daughter Priscilla
Degory Priest
Thomas Rogers
son Joseph
Henry Sampson
George Soule
Myles Standish
John Tilley, and wife ——
daughter Elizabeth
Richard Warren
William White
wife Susanna
son Resolved
son Peregrine
Edward Winslow
The 54 passengers from whom we cannot prove descent:
Bartholomew Allerton
John Allerton
John Billington
Dorothy Bradford
(1st wife of William)
Wrestling Brewster
Richard Britterige
William Butten
Robert Carter
John Carver
Katherine Carver
(wife of John)
Maid servant of the Carvers
Richard Clarke
Humility Cooper
John Crakston
son John
Edmund Margeson
Christopher Martin
wife ——
Desire Minter
Ellen More
Jasper More
(a boy) More
Joseph Mullins
Solomon Prower
John Rigdale
wife Alice
Rose Standish
(1st wife of Myles)
Elias Story
Edward Thomson
Edward Tilley
wife Ann
—— Ely
Thomas English
Moses Fletcher
Richard Gardner
John Goodman
William Holbeck
John Hooke
Damaris Hopkins
Oceanus Hopkins
John Langmore
William Latham
Edward Leister
Thomas Tinker
wife ——
son ——
William Trevore
John Turner
son ——
son ——
Roger Wilder
Thomas Williams
Elizabeth Winslow
(1st wife of Edward)
Gilbert Winslow
Those Who Came on the “Fortune,” the “Anne” and the “Little James”
_FORTUNE_
John Adams
William Basset and
wife Elizabeth
William Beale
Edward Bumpus
Jonathan Brewster
Clement Briggs
John Cannon
William Conner
Robert Cushman
Thomas Cushman
Stephen Dean
Philip De le Noye
Thomas Flavell
and son
Widow Ford and
children William, John, Martha
Robert Hicks
William Hilton
Bennet Morgan
Thomas Morton
Austin Nicolas
William Palmer and
son William Jr.
William Pit
Thomas Prince
Moses Simonson
Hugh Statie
James Steward
William Tench
John Winslow
William Wright
_ANNE and LITTLE JAMES_
Anthony Annable
Jane Annable
Sarah Annable
Hannah Annable
Edward Bangs and
wife Rebecca, two children
Robert Bartlett
Fear Brewster
Patience Brewster
Mary Buckett
Edward Burcher
Mrs. Burcher
Thomas Clarke
Christopher Conant
Hester Cooke and
three children
Experience Mitchell
George Morton
Patience Morton
Nathaniel Morton
John Morton
Sarah Morton
Ephraim Morton
George Morton, Jr.
Thomas Morton, Jr.
Ellen Newton
John Oldham and
wife and eight associates
Frances Palmer
Christian Penn
Joshua Pratt
James Rand
Cuthbert Cuthbertson and
wife Sarah and four children
Anthony Dix
John Faunce
Goodwife Flavell
Edmund Flood
Bridget Fuller
Timothy Hatherly
William Heard
Margaret Hicks
three children
Mrs. William Hilton
William Hilton, Jr.
and another child
Edward Holeman
John Jenney
wife Sarah and three children
Robert Long
Nicholas Snow
Alice Southworth
Robert Ratcliffe and wife
and two children
Francis Sprague
wife Ann and daughter Mary
Barbara Standish
Thomas Tilden and
wife and child
Stephen Tracy and
wife Triphors
Sarah Tracey
Ralph Wallen and
wife Joyce
Elizabeth Warren
Mary Warren
Ann Warren
Sarah Warren
Elizabeth Warren, Jr.
Abigail Warren
Manassah Kempton
Mr. Perce’s two servants
Footnotes
[1]The religious wars involving England, Holland and Spain.
[2]From this expression, as well as from the whole passage, there can
hardly be a doubt that Bradford himself was in the vessel. The
description is that of an eye witness.—Young’s Chronicles, p. 29.
[3]“The printing house was searched; the type, books, and papers were
seized and searched as well as sealed.”—Life and Time of William
Brewster. Rev. Ashbed Steele, A.M. p. 178. J. B. Lippincott and Co.
1857.
[4]The age of but few is known. Carver was undoubtedly the oldest. In
1620 Elder Brewster was 56 years old, Robinson 45, Bradford 32,
Edward Winslow 26, and John Howland 28.
[5]After the war had been raging for more than thirty years between
Spain and the United Provinces, by the mediation of Henry IV of
France and James I of England, a truce of twelve years was concluded
on the 9th of April, 1609. This truce expired in 1621.
[6]It appears that at other times they were more fortunate, quote: “So
we made there our rendezvous for that night under a few pine trees;
and as it fell out, we got three fat geese, and six ducks to our
supper, which we ate with soldiers’ stomachs, for we had eaten
little all that day”—Bradford’s and Winslow’s Journal (Young’s
Chronicles, p. 139).
[7]Clark’s Island, probably named after Mr. Clark of the Mayflower.
[8]Officially recognized as Forefather’s Day. The first permanent
landing.
[9]This was Jones River, probably named after the Mayflower’s captain.
[10]Clark’s Island where they spent their first Sabbath.
[11]An apparent error in this count is due to the fact that in two
years, or 1646 and 1649, no election was held; the governor simply
carried on.
[12]This is the origin of our Thanksgiving Day. As it extended over a
period of several days, it might well be termed a season of
Thanksgiving.
[13]O. S.
[14]O. S.
[15]John Atwood was a trusted friend of James Sherley and represented
him in the final adjustment. Sherley was one of the Merchant
Adventurers and a friend and benefactor of the Plymouth colony.
See letters p’s 449, 454, 478, “Bradford’s History of Plimouth
Plantation” Printed Boston 1898 from the original manuscript.
Transcriber’s Notes
—Silently corrected a few typos.
—Retained publication information from the printed edition: this eBook
is public-domain in the country of publication.
—Added captions to illustrations, based on the “Index to Illustrations”
—In the text versions only, text in italics is delimited by
_underscores_.
End of Project Gutenberg's The Pilgrim Story, by William Franklin Atgood