The Pilgrim Story - free ebook by William Franklin Atwood

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The Pilgrim Story

William Franklin Atwood

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The PILGRIM STORY

The PILGRIM STORY

BEING LARGELY A COMPILATION FROM THE DOCUMENTS OF GOVERNOR BRADFORD AND GOVERNOR WINSLOW, SEVERALLY AND IN COLLABORATION; TOGETHER WITH A LIST OF MAYFLOWER PASSENGERS. Compiled and written by WILLIAM FRANKLIN ATWOOD ILLUSTRATED BY LEO SCHREIBER Published by MPG Communications, Plymouth, Mass. Copyright 1940 By PAUL W. BITTINGER Plymouth, Mass. Second Edition October, 1947 Third Edition June, 1950 Fourth Edition June, 1952 Fifth Edition April, 1955 Sixth Edition (revised) April, 1958 Seventh Edit

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PREFACE

PREFACE

No phase of early American history presents a finer example of faith, fortitude and determination of purpose than the story of that little band of devout souls who landed at Plymouth in the winter of 1620 and to whom we refer as the Pilgrims. In the following limited pages the writer attempts to present something of the conditions obtaining in England prior to the Departure, also something of the struggles, privations, courage and forbearance during the first years of the settlement at Plymouth.

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FOREWORD Expansion on Cape Cod

FOREWORD Expansion on Cape Cod

The early settlements on Cape Cod all came about under the aegis of the parent colony in Plymouth. Several times in Pilgrim chronicles we read how Captain Myles Standish was sent to Sandwich, Barnstable and Yarmouth on tours of inspection and to supervise the division of lands purchased for little or nothing by the newcomers from the remnants of an Indian population decimated years before by disease. Direct Pilgrim influence on the religious life, the administration and the courts of the Cape se

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Scrooby: Persecution

Scrooby: Persecution

The Pilgrim story may well begin from the period of the Reformation or the ascendency of the Protestant Church in England. Previous to 1600 much friction had existed between the Crown and the Papacy in matters ecclesiastical and civil. The process of reform however had been crystalizing during the reign of Queen Elizabeth. This came to culmination in the establishment of the English Church (known as the Church of England) as the official or state church of which the King was to be the temporal h

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Escape: Holland

Escape: Holland

The Migration to Holland was not accomplished without its set-backs and misgivings. In the first place it was unlawful under an old statute which made emigrating without authority a penal crime. They were several times intercepted in their attempt to depart from English soil. But they were determined in purpose and brave in heart. “Being thus constrained to leave their native country, their lands and livings, and all their friends and familiar acquaintance, it was much, and thought marvellous by

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Holland: An Alien Peace

Holland: An Alien Peace

They remained in Amsterdam about a year when for both material and spiritual reasons they decided to move to Leyden 22 miles distant. They had come into some contention with the church that had established itself before them which seemed difficult to settle to their satisfaction and their means of livelihood had become so restricted that they were threatened with poverty. “For these and some other reasons they removed to Leyden, a fair and beautiful city. But being now here pinched, they fell to

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The Final and Historic Decision

The Final and Historic Decision

Some eleven or twelve years were spent in Leyden where they enjoyed “much sweet and delightful society and spiritual comfort together, in the ways of God, under the able ministry and prudent government of Mr. John Robinson and Mr. William Brewster, who was an assistant unto him in the place of an Elder, unto which he was now called and chosen by the church; so as they grew in knowledge and other gifts and graces of the spirit of God; and lived together in peace, and love, and holiness.” Yet whil

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London: Preparation

London: Preparation

The coast of North America was not entirely unknown. There had been several attempts at settlement and exploration. One by Sir Walter Raleigh in 1584. He had taken possession under a patent confirmed by act of Parliament, of the territory from the Carolinas north to Virginia, the name Virginia being given the new country in honor of the Virgin Queen. In 1606 another party under command of Capt. John Smith sailed in three small vessels under authority of a charter granted by James I. They landed

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Articles of Agreement

Articles of Agreement

The Articles of Agreement entered into with the Merchant Adventurers were as follows:— “1. The adventurers and planters do agree, that every persons that goeth, being aged sixteen years and upward, be rated at ten pounds, and ten pounds to be accounted a single share. 2. That he that goeth in person, and furnisheth himself out with ten pounds, either in money or other provisions, be accounted as having twenty pounds in stock, and in the division shall receive a double share. 3. The persons trans

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False Accusations

False Accusations

It has been declared by some commentators that this agreement savored of communism. This interpretation is however unfair. As a matter of record it was not entirely satisfactory to the colonists but was imposed upon them by the Merchant Adventurers who, looking to the final liquidation of their advancements, preferred to hold the community as a whole to meet the obligation. Several letters written by Robert Cushman to his associates in Leyden tend to substantiate this view and emphasize that he

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The Embarkation

The Embarkation

A small vessel of about sixty tons called the Speedwell and commanded by Captain Reynolds was secured in Holland and another, somewhat larger, the Mayflower, of London, commanded by Captain Jones. The Speedwell left Delft-Haven in July, 1620, with a company of thirty, including William Bradford, William Brewster, John Carver, Edward Winslow, Isaac Allerton, Samuel Fuller and John Howland. Captain Myles Standish was also a member of the company although not of the congregation. He was a soldier w

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Voyage and Arrival

Voyage and Arrival

The Mayflower with its added burden, now numbering one hundred and two souls, left Plymouth September 16th, 1620, and began its historic journey westward. For a goodly part of the voyage of over two months duration the ship was buffeted by equinoctial winds and high seas and, as they neared the coast, a death is recorded, that of William Butten, a youth, servant of Samuel Fuller. The records also disclose the birth of a son, Oceanus, to Stephen and Elizabeth Hopkins. “After long beating at sea t

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The Compact

The 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 honor 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 c

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Signers of the Compact

Signers of the Compact

The earliest known list of the signers of the Compact is that contained in Morton’s “New-Englands Memoriall,” published in 1669. The names follow: Signing the Compact “After this they chose, or rather confirmed, Mr. John Carver (a man godly and well approved amongst them) their Governor for that year.” This meeting, held in the cabin of the Mayflower, is generally accepted as the first New England town meeting, although on the 27th of February following, a meeting, later referred to, was held in

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Search for Permanent Settlement

Search for Permanent Settlement

On November 25th, a party of sixteen men under the leadership of Captain Standish set out on foot looking for a place for permanent settlement “having such instructions as was thought meet.” They had proceeded but a short distance when they met a small party of Indians who fled upon approach. They were followed for some miles, when, darkness coming on, they made camp for the night. The following day further exploration was made. Some Indian corn was discovered, also fresh water from which they d

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THE SHALLOP ARRIVES AT PLYMOUTH The Landing

THE SHALLOP ARRIVES AT PLYMOUTH The Landing

On the sixteenth of December another party set out in the shallop “upon further discovery intending to circulate that deep bay of Cape Cod.” This party consisted of Myles Standish, John Carver, William Bradford, Edward Winslow, John Tilley, Edward Tilley, John Howland, Richard Warren, Stephen Hopkins, Edward Dotey, John Allerton, Thomas English, the ship’s mates, Mr. Clark and Mr. Coppin, and the master gunner and three sailors. “The weather was very cold and it froze so hard as the spray of the

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The Historic Landing

The Historic Landing

This Sabbath was spent on Clark’s Island where they rested and held service. “On Monday they sounded the harbor and found it fit for shipping, and marched into the land, [8] and found divers cornfields, and little running brooks, a fit place for situation; at least it was the best they could find, and the season, and their present necessity, made them glad to accept it. So they returned to their ship again with this news to the rest of their people, which did much comfort their hearts.” The roma

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A Permanent Settlement

A Permanent Settlement

It is evident that they were favorably impressed both with the security of the harbor and the general surroundings, although there was some division of opinion as to the best location for a permanent settlement as the following discloses: “This bay is a hopeful place, innumerable store of fowl, skate, cod, turbot and herring we have tasted of; abundance of muscles, the greatest and best that ever we saw; crabs and lobsters, in their time infinite.” “Monday we went aland manned with the master of

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A New Home

A New Home

From the foregoing the reader will readily recognize Coles Hill and Burial Hill and the site of the first fort, marked now by an appropriate tablet. Also Town Brook and the adjacent spring which has quenched the thirst of many a modern day pilgrim as well as residents of this historic town. During Dec. 31, and Jan. 1, a violent storm prevailed and it was Saturday, Jan. 2, before work on shore could be started. In the several days following trees were felled, timbers shaped, and work begun on the

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Their Great Losses

Their Great Losses

Nothing has been said thus far about the crushing losses the first winter this little colony sustained through exposure and disease. Their sufferings must have been well nigh indescribable, yet history records very little complaint. William Bradford bore his sufferings with the rest and it seems fitting to quote here his vivid description: “But that which was most sad and lamentable was, that in two or three months time half of their company died, especially in January and February, being the de

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Samoset’s Visit

Samoset’s Visit

On Friday, Mar. 26, an Indian walked boldly into the settlement. He saluted them in English and bade them “Welcome.” He explained that his home was in Maine where he had learned some English from the captains of fishing vessels that frequented the coast in the vicinity of Monhegan Island, lying half way between the Penobscot and Kennebec Rivers and about twelve miles off the coast. From him they gathered much information. “He discoursed of the whole country and of every province and of their sag

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The Treaty With Massasoit

The Treaty With Massasoit

“1. That neither he nor any of his, should injure or do hurt to any of their people. 2. That if any of his did any hurt to any of theirs, he should send the offender that they might punish him. 3. That if anything were taken away from any of theirs, he should cause it to be restored; and they should do the like to his. 4. That if any did unjustly war against him, they would aid him; if any did war against them, he should aid them. 5. That he should send to his Neighbor-Confederates to certify th

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The First Marriage

The First Marriage

The first marriage in the colony took place on the 22nd of May, that of Edward Winslow to Susanna White, widow of William White. This marriage was performed “according to the laudable custom of the Low Countries in which they had lived, was thought most requisite to be performed by the magistrate, as being a civil thing, upon which many questions about inheritances do depend, with other things most proper to their cognizance and most consonant to the scriptures (Ruth 4) and nowhere found in the

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The First Duel

The First Duel

What is recorded as the first duel fought in New England was between Edward Dotey and Edward Leister, servants of Mr. Hopkins. They fought with sword and dagger and both were wounded, one in hand and the other in the thigh. This was the second offence for which punishment was invoked by the entire company. It was ordered that their heads and feet be tied together and to so lie for twenty-four hours. Their sufferings being great however they were released by the governor “upon their promise of be

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Winslow and Hopkins Visit Massasoit

Winslow and Hopkins Visit Massasoit

The months of July and August were featured by several events of interest. On July 12, Edward Winslow and Stephen Hopkins paid a visit to Massasoit taking with them clothing and other small gifts which the chieftain gladly accepted. They learned that the Wampanoags had been greatly reduced by the plague that had visited them prior to the coming of the colonists, “wherein thousands of them died, they not being able to bury one another; their skulls and bones were found in many places, lying still

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Arrival of Hobamack

Arrival of Hobamack

It was about this time that Hobamack, another Indian, came to live at the settlement. He was a friend of Squanto and “faithful to the English until he died.” During a visit to Nemasket (Middleboro) they came into conflict with a sachem named Corbitant who was a minor sachem under Massasoit and who was held to be deceitful both to his superior and the whites. Hobamack was seized and held against his will by Corbitant but being of great strength he broke away making his escape to Plymouth. Fearing

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The Fortune Arrives

The Fortune Arrives

On November 19th the Fortune, a vessel of small tonnage, arrived bringing Robert Cushman and thirty-five others. They brought practically no provisions except some clothing but being mostly able-bodied young men the colony was thus augmented in man power of which it had been much depleted, there remaining but fifty of the original colony at this time. They came to settle permanently and were made welcome....

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Pierce’s Attempt Fails

Pierce’s Attempt Fails

Let us now step ahead a few months. As the patent to the lands they now occupied arrived on the Fortune, it is not irrelevant to mention here the abortive attempt of John Pierce to get control of the Plymouth colony. On April 20, 1622, Pierce obtained another patent, superseding the first, broader in scope and running to himself, his heirs, associates and assigns forever. As an evidence of his intention let us quote from a letter from one of the English company to Governor Bradford—“in regard he

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Preparations for Winter

Preparations for Winter

The harvest season drawing near, attention was given to gathering their crops and to putting their houses in readiness for the approaching winter. While some were thus engaged others were employed in fishing and their store of cod, bass and other fish seems to have been plentiful, for “‘every family had their portion.’” Of water-fowl, wild turkeys and venison, there seems, at this time, to have been an abundance. They had a peck of meal a week to a person, also Indian corn in like proportion of

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The First Thanksgiving

The First Thanksgiving

“Our harvest being gotten in, our governor sent four men on fowling, that so we might after a special manner, rejoice together after we had gathered the fruits of our labors. These four, in one day, killed as much fowl as, with a little help besides, served the company almost a week. At which time, amongst other recreations, we exercised our arms, many of the Indians coming amongst us, and among the rest their greatest king Massasoit with some ninety men, whom for three days we entertained and f

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Bradford’s Letter

Bradford’s Letter

“Sir: Your large letter written to Mr. Carver, and dated the 6 of July, 1621, I have received the 10 of November, wherein (after the apology made for yourself) you lay many imputations upon him and us all. Touching him, he is departed this life, and now is at rest in the Lord from all those troubles and incumbencies with which we are yet to strive. He needs not my apology; for his care and pains were so great for the common good, both ours and yours, as that therewith (it is thought) he oppresse

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Indian Trouble

Indian Trouble

After the departure of the Fortune the Plymouth colony faced a serious situation. Their provisions were not sufficient to meet the demands of their suddenly increased numbers and the threat of attack hovered over their little community. The Narragansetts were not friendly with Massasoit and they resented the intrusion of the white settlers. Their chief Canonicus by way of warning sent a bundle of arrows wrapped in snake skin to which the Governor replied by returning the skin with bullets wrappe

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Consolidation

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

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Arrival of Anne and Little James

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 t

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The First Cattle

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 l

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The Wollaston Incident

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

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The First Settled Minister

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 w

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First Capital Offence

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.”...

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Their Obligations Increase

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

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Roger Williams

Roger Williams

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

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Winslow Elected Governor

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.” In 1636 owing to the growth of the original plantation a

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Boundaries Established

Boundaries Established

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

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New England Confederacy

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) wit

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Conclusion

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 co

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Complete Genealogical List of “Mayflower” Passengers

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: The 54 passengers from whom we cannot prove descent:...

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