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The Pilgrims were the first English colonists to permanently settle in New England in what we now know as Massachusetts. On Sept. 16, 1620 the ship "Mayflower" set off from Plymouth, England on its journey to the New World. There were 102 passengers on the Mayflower including 41 Christian Puritan Separatists known. After spending many years in Holland exiled from the English Church, the Puritans were seeking a new life of religious freedom in America. All 102 of the passengers were referred to as the "Pilgrims" after they arrived. The group had obtained a Patent from the London Virginia Company which made them indentured servants to the Virginia Company for seven years after they arrived and settled. To prepare for their life in America, they had sought advice from people who had already visited the New World. Among their advisors was Captain John Smith who, earlier, had helped found Jamestown for the Virginia Company. It took sixty six days to reach New England and the journey was very hard for these non-seafarers. When they arrived they anchored off the tip of Cape Cod, in an area now known as Massachusetts, and before they even set foot on shore they wrote, and all the men signed, an agreement called the "Mayflower Compact" that would set the rules to guide them through the early, hard times of establishing a new community. The Compact, which was signed on November 21, 1620, served as the official Constitution of the Plymouth Colony for many years.
For nearly a month they explored, by foot and in boats, the area around Cape Cod using the maps they had obtained in England. During their exploration they had a few minor encounters with the local native Americans. Finally, on December 21, they decided on a location near Plymouth Harbor which they named Plymouth. Nearly half of the colonists and crew died from illnesses that first winter as they struggled to build their town. The following spring they were visited by a local Wampanoag native named Samoset who, surprisingly, spoke some broken English. Eventually he introduced the settlers to another native named Squanto who's village had occupied the area before the Pilgrims arrived. Squanto had been kidnapped by English explorers and while he was in Europe the rest of his people had all been killed by diseases brought by European explorers. Squanto spoke English very well and he stayed with the Pilgrims and taught them many valuable skills that enabled them to survive in their new country. He also played a very big part in bringing the Pilgrims and the local native population together, leading, eventually to a long, but restless, peace. Not long after the Pilgrims arrived in Plymouth (1628) the Puritans came to Massachusetts and settled Naumkeag (later called Salem). John Winthrop, carrying the Massachusetts Bay Charter, arrived in 1630 and founded Boston. Maine was annexed to Massachusetts in 1652 and later the Plymouth Colony was too. The relationship between the Native tribes and the colonists in New England was always strained but generally didn't result in much bloodshed. Massachusetts was a New England colony which started out as a Corporate colony but became a Royal colony in 1691 The Pilgrims The Pilgrims were the first English settlers in Massachusetts. Before coming to America, the Pilgrims were farmers in England. The Church of England was England's official church, but the Pilgrims did not agree with the strict rules of the Church of England. The Pilgrims continued to be persecuted for their beliefs in England, so a group decided to leave England and settle in America. They were led by William Brewster. Brewster recieved money from the Virginia Company to start a colony in America. The Virgina Compnay wanted Brewster to sail toward Virginia, but a bad storm pushed them off course and they landed in Massachusetts Bay. The Mayflower Compact The 1620 agreement (first called the Mayflower Compact in 1793) was a legal instrument that bound the Pilgrims together when they arrived in New England. The core members of the Pilgrims' immigrant group were Separatists, members of a Puritan sect that had split from the Church of England, the only legal church in England at that time. Others in the group, however, had remained part of the Church of England, so not all of the Pilgrims shared the same religion, they were called "Strangers." The Mayflower Compact set out the rules of the new colony. It was signed by all adult males before they left the Mayflower ship. The Mayflower Compact "In the name of God, Amen. We whose names are underwritten, the loyal subjects of our dread Sovereign Lord King James, by the Grace of God of Great Britain, France, and Ireland King, Defender of the Faith, etc. Having undertaken for the Glory of God and advancement of the Christian Faith and Honour of our King and Country, a Voyage to plant the First Colony in the Northern Parts of Virginia, do by these presents solemnly and mutually in the presence of God and one of another, Covenant and Combine ourselves together in a Civil Body Politic, for our better ordering and preservation and furtherance of the ends aforesaid; and by virtue hereof to enact, constitute and frame such just and equal Laws, Ordinances, Acts, Constitutions and Offices from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general good of the Colony, unto which we promise all due submission and obedience. In witness whereof we have hereunder subscribed our names at Cape Cod, the 11th of November, in the year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord King James, of England, France and Ireland the eighteenth, and of Scotland the fifty-fourth. Anno Domini 1620." The Mayflower Mayflower Website The First Thanksgiving The First Thanksgiving Website The Plimouth Plantation Plimouth Plantation Website |
The Puritans
As the Plymouth Colony grew and prospered, other religious groups came and established more colonies. They came to escape religious persecution in England. The Puritans were such a group. They wanted to simplify the rituals and ceremonies of the Church of England. Boston was founded by the Puritans in 1630. Puritans shaped religion, social life and government in North America.
The Massachusetts Bay Colony
In 1629, King Charles I of England allowed a group of wealthy businessmen to start a colony between the Charles River and the Merrimack River in Massachusetts. They called themselves the Massachusetts Bay Colony. They planned to make money by setting up the first trading company in America. The businessmen also wanted to grant religious freedom to its settlers.
As the Plymouth Colony grew and prospered, other religious groups came and established more colonies. They came to escape religious persecution in England. The Puritans were such a group. They wanted to simplify the rituals and ceremonies of the Church of England. Boston was founded by the Puritans in 1630. Puritans shaped religion, social life and government in North America.
The Massachusetts Bay Colony
In 1629, King Charles I of England allowed a group of wealthy businessmen to start a colony between the Charles River and the Merrimack River in Massachusetts. They called themselves the Massachusetts Bay Colony. They planned to make money by setting up the first trading company in America. The businessmen also wanted to grant religious freedom to its settlers.