CHAPTER6:PuritansandSeparatists;PlymouthColony

WORLDHISTORYFOCUS

PuritansandSeparatists

ChurchHistoryinBrief

PuritanswerestrictEnglishProtestantswhowantedtomaketheAnglicanChurchmuchmorestrictly
ProtestantthanitwasunderQueenElizabethandKingJamesI:

TheywantedtoeliminateeverychurchtraditionthatdidntcomedirectlyfromtheBible.
TheywantedtofilltheirchurchserviceswithstrongBiblicalpreaching,notwithfancyceremonies,chants
andincense.
TheywantedSundaytobeadayofworshipandrest,notadayofplay.
Theywantedtochoosetheirownchurchleaders,insteadofacceptingbishopschosenbytheking.
TheywantedtostopgreedyAnglicanbishopsfromgrowingrichofftheirpeopleschurchdonations.

TheearlyPuritanswhosettledinNewEngland,NorthAmericacameintwomaintypes:

1. Separatists,oneswhoseparatedfromtheAnglicanChurchbecausetheyfeareditwouldneverbepure
enough.ThePilgrimswhosettledPlymouthColonyin1620wereSeparatists.
2. OneswhoremainedloyaltotheAnglicanChurch,hopingtobringallAnglicansaroundtotheirwayof
thinking.ThePuritanswhosettledMassachusettsBayColonyin1630wereloyalAnglicansatleastatfirst.

FASCINATINGFACTS:FoxesBookofMartyrs

FoxesBookofMartyrsisalongcollectionofhighlydetailed,
oftenillustratedstoriesaboutthelivesanddeathsofhundredsof
ChristianmartyrsespeciallytheMarianMartyrs,theonesBloody
MaryburnedtodeathatherdreadedexecutiongroundinSmithfield,
London(seeYearTwo).FormerMarianExileJohnFoxepublishedthe
firsteditionofhisBookofMartyrsin1563,fiveyearsafterMarys
passing.Foxewouldgoontopublishseveralmoreeditions,rewriting
andexpandinghisbookintoamassivetwovolumesetnearlyfour
timesaslongastheBible.AllofFoxeseditionsweregianthits,
sellingcountlesscopiesandinfluencingcountlessChristians.
Naturally,ProtestantsandCatholicsheldtwoverydifferent
opinionsoftheBookofMartyrs:

1. BecauseFoxecondemnedCatholicbrutality,Protestantsoften
quotedhispopularbooktoarguethatCatholicswereevil.
2. CatholicsclaimedthatFoxeembellishedhisstorieswith
exaggerationsandoutrightantiCatholiclies.

HoweverFoxemayhaveembellishedsomeofhisstories,
though,hecertainlydidnotinventthem.Rather,Foxebackeduphis
writingwithcarefulresearchandeyewitnessinterviews,makinghisBookofMartyrsthebestsurvivingrecordof
theinhumanpunishmentsBloodyMaryinflictedonEnglishProtestants.

DEFINITION:PuritanswerestrictEnglishProtestantswhosoughttopurifytheAnglicanChurchafterBloody
Marysreign.NowthattheirchurchwasindependentandProtestant,Puritanshopedtoremovethelasttraces
ofCatholicinfluencefromitsworshipandgovernmenttobasetheirchurchontheBiblealone,andnotonany
inheritedhumantraditions.

REFRESHINGREMINDERS:TheMarianExileswereEnglishProtestantswhofledEnglandtoescapepersecution
anddeathduringthefiveyearreignofQueenMaryI,thenotoriousBloodyMary(15531558).

PuritanComplaints
TheMarianExilesreturnedtoEnglandin1558filledwithsuggestionsfortheAnglicanChurchs
improvementforinPuritaneyes,
Englandsstatechurchremainedalltoo
Catholic.ProminentPuritanslikeThomas
CartwrightandWilliamFulkecriticizedthe
supposedlyProtestantAnglicanChurchfor
continuingseveralCatholictraditions:

HolyCommunion:Puritansfeltthatthe
communionserviceintheAnglicanBook
ofCommonPrayerwasstilltoomuch
likeaCatholicMassstillaproud
repetitionofChristssacrifice,andnota
humblememorialserviceinhonorof
Christssacrifice.
MidwifeBaptism:TheAnglicanChurch
stillallowedmidwivestobaptize
stillbornbabies,inthebeliefthatthese
babiescouldnevergotoheavenwithout
achurchapprovedbaptism.PuritansregardedmidwifebaptismasbothantiBiblicalandsuperstitiousfor
theybelievedthatGod,notthechurch,decidedwhowenttoheaven.
VestmentsandSurplices:SomePuritansobjectedwhenAnglicanprieststriedtosetthemselvesaboveother
Christiansbywearingspecialpriestlyrobescalledsurplices.SuchlavishrobesoffendedPuritanswho
believedinthePriesthoodofAllBelieverstheideathatnoChristianneededapriesttostandbetweenhim
andGod,becausealltrueChristiansbelongedtoaroyalpriesthood(1Peter2:9).

PuritansalsoobjectedtotheAnglicanChurchsgovernment,fortworeasons:

1. Corruption:Manyofthearchbishops,bishopsandotherloftyprelateswholedtheAnglicanChurchwere
wealthylandholderswholivedextravagantlifestylesatchurchexpenselifestyleswhichinnoway
resembledChristshumblelifeofselfsacrifice(Matthew8:20).Forexample,ArchbishopofCanterburyJohn
Whitgiftoftentraveledwithakinglyhonorguardof800attendants.
2. ChurchPolity:Puritanswantedtotradeepiscopalchurchpolityforaformofchurchgovernmentthey
consideredbothmoreBiblicalandlesscorruptible:presbyterianchurchpolity.Thatis,Puritanswantedto
tossoutcorrupt,Crownappointedbishops,andreplacethemwithchurchelectedelderswhowouldbe
moreaccountabletothepeopletheyserved.

FASCINATINGFACTS:TheMartinMarprelateTracts(15881589)

MartinMarprelatewasapseudonym,orfalsepenname,forananonymousPuritanauthorwhoseaim

EtchingoftheMarianPersecutionsfromFoxesBookofMartyrs

wastomartheprelatesthatis,tobesmirchthereputationsof
corruptAnglicanofficialslikeArchbishopofCanterburyJohn
Whitgift.In15881589,Martinpublishedsevenmockingtracts
inwhichheblatantlyridiculedEnglandsbishopsand
archbishops,callingthemproud,popish,presumptuous,
profane,paltry,pestilentandperniciousprelates.Martin
denouncedallAnglicanbishopsaspettypopesandpetty
Antichrists,whosoeverusurptheauthorityofpastorsover
[Christians]whobytheordinanceofGodaretobeunderno
pastors.FornonebutAntichristianpopes&popelingsever
claimedthisauthorityuntothemselves
Becausecriticizingthestatechurchwasasdangerousas
criticizingthestateitself,MartinMarprelatehadtoprinthis
tractsonrovingprintingpressescarefullyconcealedfromthe
pryingeyesofthelaw.InfuriatedbyMartinsinsultingtone,
ArchbishopWhitgiftassiduouslyhunteddowneveryoneof
theseillegalpresses,punishingeachprinterharshlyinthehope
thatoneofthemmightrevealMartinstrueidentity.In1593,
WhitgiftexecutedonelikelycandidateforthetrueMartin:a
CambridgeeducatedPuritanprinternamedJohnPenry.

Otherinterestingfacts:
ThepersecutedandmartyredJohnPenrywasaCambridge
UniversityclassmateofWilliamBrewster,thePilgrimfather
whowouldhelpsettlePlymouthColonyin1620.

TheActagainstPuritans(1593)
TokeeprebelliousPuritanslikeMartinMarprelateundercontrol,QueenElizabethpassedanewlaw
againstcriticizingEnglandslawfullyestablishedstatechurch.Elizabeths1593ActagainstPuritansrequiredall
Englishmenover16to:

1. AttendAnglicanChurchservicesregularly,atleastoncepermonth.
2. ObserveHolyCommunioninthewaythechurchofferedit,withoutcomplaintorcriticism.
3. Avoidconventicles,specialgatheringsthatmettoteachPuritanideasandcriticizethechurch.

AnyEnglishmanwhorefusedtoabidebytheserequirementswenttoprison,theretoremainwithouthopeof
releaseuntilhecouldswearthefollowingoathconvincingly:

Idohumblyconfessandacknowledge,thatIhavegrievouslyoffendedGodincondemninghermajesty's
godlyandlawfulgovernmentandauthority,byabsentingmyselffromchurch,andfromhearingdivineservice,
contrarytothegodlylawsandstatutesofthisrealm;andinusingandfrequentingdisorderedandunlawful
conventiclesandassemblies,underpretenseandcolorofexerciseofreligion:andIamheartilysorryforthe
same,anddoacknowledgeandtestifyinmyconsciencethatnootherpersonhasoroughttohaveanypoweror
authorityoverhermajesty

INTERESTINGIDEAS:Notethatitwasnotenoughmerelytospeakthewordsofthisoath;rather,theaccused
musttestifyinconscience.ThesameElizabethwhooncesaidIhavenodesiretomakewindowsintomens
soulsnowinsistedonknowingherpeoplesconsciences.

ByaddingtheActagainstPuritanstoexistingantiCatholiclaws,Elizabethoutlawedcriticismfromboth

StainedglassofArchbishopJohnWhitgiftprayingbeside
QueenElizabethsdeathbed,photobyRichardCroft

extremesfrombothCatholicswhodeniedherauthority,andPuritanswhoquestionedhertheology.Theonly
safeplaceforanEnglishmantostandwasinthemiddle,infirmagreementwiththeAnglicanChurch.

TheMillenaryPetition(1603)
BothCatholicsandPuritanshadhighhopesthattheirprospectsmightimprovewhenEnglandsnext
monarch,KingJamesVIandI,tookElizabethsplace.Because
JamescamefromScotland,wherethestrictProtestantideasof
JohnKnoxwerepopular,PuritansespeciallyhopedthatJames
mightproveasProtestantasthemselves.
AlmostinthemomentwhenJamesassumedhisthrone
in1603,agroupofPuritanministerspetitionedhimtoadopt
severalPuritanstylereformsfortheAnglicanChurch.This
petitionsname,theMillenaryPetition,camefromthefactthat
somewherenear1,000ministersabout10percentofall
ministersinEnglandatthetimesignedit(milleisLatinfor
1,000).Theseministersassuredtheirnewkingthattheywere
nottryingtodividethechurch;rather,theywerefaithful
servantsofChristandloyalsubjectstoyourmajestywhoonly
wantedtomaketheAnglicanChurchmoreBiblical.
TothePuritansearliercomplaintsagainsttheAnglican
ChurchsoverlyCatholicpractices,theMillenaryPetitionadded
severalmore:

Biblicalteaching:Puritanswantedmoreandbetter
teachinginAnglicanworship.Insteadoffocusingon
communion,astheCatholicMassdid,theywantedgood,
Biblicalteachingtogoalongwithcommunion.
Superstitiousgestures:PuritanswantedAnglicanministers
tostopusingsuperstitious,antiBiblicalgestureslike(1)crossingthemselvesduringbaptismceremoniesand
(2)bowingatthementionofJesusname.
Churchgovernmentreform:Amongotherchurchgovernmentreforms,Puritanswantedthekingtoblock
singlebishopsfromreceivingmultipleincomesfromthechurch.Kingsandarchbishopslikedtorewardtheir
favoritechurchmenwithrichincomesfromchurchownedestates;andinsomecases,incomesthathad
oncesupportedtwo,threeorevenseveralchurchmennowlinedthepocketsofjustonewealthybishop.

TheHamptonCourtConference(1604)
TheMillenaryPetitionwasonereasonKingJamesconvenedtheHamptonCourtConference,thesame
conferencethatledtothetranslationoftheKingJamesBible(seeChapter3).Unfortunately,onePuritanat
HamptonCourtdaredtomentionsomethingtheMillenaryPetitiondidntpresbyterianchurchpolity,theidea
ofreplacingthekingsbishopswithchurchelectedelders.JamesdidntmindsomeofthePuritansother
suggestions;butwhentheyrecommendedejectinghisbishops,thekingexploded:

IfyouaimataScottishpresbytery,itagreesaswellwithmonarchyasGodwiththedevil!ThenJack,
andTom,andWill,andDick,shallmeetandcensuremeandmycouncil,andallourproceedings!

HavingsufferedthroughagreatmanyargumentswithScottishelders,KingJamesknewhowstubborn
anduncontrollableelderscouldbe.Thekingregardedtheelectionofeldersasanassaultonhisroyalauthority,
anuncontrollablesystemthatallowedmerecommonerstochallengeroyalty.Wantingnopartofsuchachaotic
system,Jameswentontoexpresshisstrongpreferenceforbishopsoverelders:

CanterburyCathedral

Iapprovethecallinganduse
ofbishopsintheChurch;anditismy
aphorism,NoBishop,noKingIfthis
beallyourpartyhathtosay,Iwill
makethemconformthemselvesor
elseIwillharrythemoutoftheland,or
elsedoworse!

KingJameshavingmadehis
feelingsaboutpresbyterianchurch
polityquiteclear,Puritanswholonged
forgreaterchurchreformsthanthe
kingwouldallowhadthreeoptions:

1. Theycouldprotestthekings
decisionandbeharriedoutof
England.
2. Theycouldcontinuetoworshipas
theirkingandbishopsdemanded,hopingtoreformthechurchlater.
3. Theycouldorganizesecret,illegalchurcheswheretheycouldworshipastheychose.

AsubgroupofthePuritanscalledSeparatistsselectedthethirdoption.

DEFINITION:SeparatistswerePuritanswhoelectedtoseparatethemselvesfromtheAnglicanChurchsothey
couldworshipGodinthewaytheybelievedtheBibledemanded.SeparatistsabandonedtheAnglicanChurchfor
thesamereasonProtestantsabandonedtheCatholicChurch:becausetheyfeltthatbotholderchurchesinsisted
onclingingtohumanbasedtraditions,ratherthanadoptingBiblebasedreforms.

ALOOKAHEAD:ThePilgrimswhowillsettlePlymouthColonyin1620willbeSeparatists;whilethePuritanswho
willsettleMassachusettsBayColonyin1630willremainloyaltotheAnglicanChurch,atleastatfirst.

INTERESTINGINDIVIDUALS:RobertBrowne(15501633)

EvenbeforetheHamptonCourtConference,Puritanministers
likeRobertBrowneencouragedtrueChristianstosetupindependent
churchesoftheirown,governedonlybytheirowncongregations.Ina
1582pamphlettitledATreatiseofReformationWithoutTarryingfor
Any,Brownechidedhisfellowministersforwaitingonthegovernment
tosetupBiblicalchurches,whentheyshouldbedoingsothemselves:

Weholdallthosepreachersandteachersaccursedwhichwill
notdothedutiesofpastorsandteacherstillthemagistrates
[governmentofficials]forcethemto.Theysaythetimeisnotyetcome
tobuildtheLordshouse;theymusttarryforthemagistratesandfor
parliamentstodoit;theylackthecivilswordIndeed,cantheLords
spiritualgovernmentbenowayexecutedbutbythecivilsword?

RobertBrownewassuchaninfluentialfigureamongSeparatiststhatfordecades,mostEnglishmen
referredtoallSeparatistsasBrownists.LoyalAnglicansregardedBrownistsasdangerousschismaticstraitors

HamptonCourtPalace,siteoftheHamptonCourtConference

bentondestroyingEnglandbysplinteringitsstrong,unitedstatechurchintothousandsofweak,disunited
congregations.

Otherinterestingfacts:
TheargumentthatcostCaptainJohnSmithseveralweeksinSusanConstantsbrigmayhavebeenan
argumentoverBrownism.Accordingtooneversionofthestory,futureJamestownCouncilPresident
EdwardWingfieldaccusedCaptainSmithsministerfriendofbeingaBrownist.Smithdefendedhisfriend,
insultingWingfieldintheprocesswhichledWingfieldtoaccuseSmithofmutiny(seeChapter3).

ThePilgrims

DEFINITIONS:
Apilgrimisanybeliever,Christianor
otherwise,whoundertakesapilgrimage
(journey)forhisfaith.
ThePilgrimswereSeparatistChristians
fromaroundScrooby,Englandwhose
faithjourneysledthemfirsttothe
Netherlandsin1607,andthenonto
PlymouthColony,NewEnglandin1620.

SeparatistsatScrooby,Nottinghamshire
Scrooby,Nottinghamshirewasa
smallvillagethatlayalongtheOldNorth
RoadbetweenthebigcitiesofLondonand
York.Forcenturies,Scroobysmainfeature
wasitsancientmanorhouse,a40roomhalf
timber,halfbrickandstuccostructurethatservedasinn,tavernandpostofficeaswellasthelocallordshome.
Fromabout15891607,themasterofScroobyManorwasaCambridgeeducatedPuritanturnedSeparatist
namedWilliamBrewster.

GIANTSOFTHEFAITH:WilliamBrewster(1566?1644)

WilliamBrewsterwasprobablybornatScrooby,wherehisfather
servedaslord,innkeeperandpostmaster.YoungBrewsterseducationat
CambridgeUniversityfellduringtheearly1580s,aroundthetimeRobert
BrownesTreatiseofReformationwithoutTarryingforAnytouchedoffthe
Separatistmovement.BecauseCambridgewasareformmindeduniversity,
BrewstercertainlylearnedsomeofhisPuritanideasthere,andperhapssome
ofhisSeparatistonesaswell.FromCambridge,BrewstermovedtoLondon,
whereheservedasanassistanttoadoomeddiplomatnamedWilliam
Davison.
In1587,Brewstersbriefgovernmentcareerwasruinedbythesame
scandalthatruinedhismentorDavisons:thescandalovertheexecutionof
Mary,QueenofScots.Sometimein1586,QueenElizabethsspiesfinally
convincedherthathercousinMarymustdieforplottingagainstthequeens
life.However,Elizabethdidntwanttoappearresponsibleexecutingafellow
royal;sosheplacedherdiplomaticassistantDavisoninchargeofdoingaway
withMary.ThenwhenDavisonhaddoneElizabethsbidding,thequeen
claimedthatshehadneverwantedhercousinexecutedatall,andcast

ScroobyManor

DavisonintotheTowerofLondonthusmakingDavisonherscapegoatforthewholescandalousaffair.
Withhismentorscareerdestroyed,WilliamBrewsterhadnomorereasontoremaininLondon;soin
1589,hemovedbackhomeScrooby,wherehesoontookhisfathersplaceaslordofScroobyManor.Years
later,whenBrewsterbecameaPilgrimfatherandsettlerofPlymouthColony,hisbriefexperienceinLondon
madehimoneofthefewPilgrimswithanyknowledgeoflawandgovernment.Brewsteralsobecame
Plymouthsspiritualleader,amuchbelovedmentorandencouragerintheChristianfaith.

SoonaftermovingbacktoScrooby,WilliamBrewsterstartedtravelingeverySundaytothenearby
villageofBabworth,whereRichardClyftonministeredAllSaintsAnglicanChurch.Unlikemostcountryministers
ofhisday,ClyftonsearchedtheScriptures
everyweekforgoodteachingtosharewithhis
flock.Overthenextseveralyears,Clyftons
teachinggrewsteadilymorePuritan,more
insistentthattheAnglicanChurchmust
dispensewitheverylasttraceofCatholic
ritual.Inplaceofthoserituals,Clyfton
suggestedanewstyleofworshipthatwas
reallyanoldstylethestyletheEarlyChurch
recordedintheNewTestament.
By1605or1606,theresultsofthe
HamptonCourtConferenceconvincedClyfton
andBrewsterthatKingJameswouldnever
reformhistooCatholicAnglicanChurch;so
theydecidedtoformanew,moreBiblical
churchoftheirown.WithnoAnglicanofficers
tochoosetheirleadersforthem,theSeparatistswhometatScroobyManorchoseRichardClyftontobetheir
pastor,andWilliamBrewstertobetheirteachingelder.Atthetime,BrewstersgoodfriendandprotgWilliam
Bradfordwastooyoungtobeachurchofficer.

GIANTSOFTHEFAITH:WilliamBradford(15901657)

WilliamBradfordwasbornin1590atAusterfield,Yorkshire,justa
fewmilesfromScroobyandBabworth.Sadly,bothofWilliamsparentsdied
beforeWilliamseighthbirthday.YoungWilliamsguardians,hisuncles,
wantedhimtofollowthemintofarming;butinstead,thebookishWilliam
preferredtostudytheScriptures.
WhenWilliamwasabout12,afriendinvitedhimtoservicesat
Babworth,wherehemetWilliamBrewster.TheelderWilliamtookthe
youngerWilliamunderhiswing,mentoringhimandguidinghiminhisstudy
oftheScriptures.WhenBrewsterscongregationseparateditselffromthe
AnglicanChurchin1606,thethen16yearoldBradfordgladlyjoinedhis
mentorinworkingtowardamoreBiblebasedchurch.
Yearslater,whenBradfordbecameaPilgrimfatherandsettlerof
PlymouthColony,hewouldserveasPlymouthsgovernorformorethan30
years;andthediaryhekeptasgovernorwouldbecometheonlysurviving
recordofagreatmanyPlymouthhappenings.

Otherinterestingideas:
ItwasWilliamBradfordwhocoinedthenamePilgrims,describingtheScroobySeparatistsaswandering
pilgrimswhosetruehomelaynowhereonearth,butratherinheaven.

AllSaintsChurchinBabworth,Nottinghamshire,photobyRichardCroft

Persecution
InthePilgrimsday,mostloyalEnglishmenregardedSeparatistsandBrownistsastreasonouscriminals.
Becausechurchandstatewereoneandthesame,toseparatefromonewasalsotoseparatefromtheother;so
whenSeparatistsshoweddisloyaltytotheAnglicanChurch,someaccusedthemofdisloyaltytoEnglanditself.
EvenPuritanAnglicanscriticizedSeparatistsforcreatingdivisionsinchurchandcountry.WelleducatedAnglican
priestslikedtomockSeparatistswithderidingnicknameslikeSimontheSaddlerandBillytheBellows
Makerinotherwords,untutoredbumpkinswhohadnobusinessofferingtheirridiculousopinionsonchurch
affairs.

Criticismwashardenough,butlegaltroubleswerefarworse.LessthanayearafterthePilgrims
separatedfromtheAnglicanChurch,Englishauthoritiesstartedharassingthem,jailingsomeandfiningothers.
ForhisdisobediencetotheAnglicanChurch,acourtorderedWilliamBrewstertopayalargefine;andeven
worse,helosthischurchappointedplaceaslordofScroobyManor.TheterrorofthistimeinthePilgrimslives
isreflectedintheunusualnameBrewsterchoseforhisnewborndaughterin1607:FearBrewster.ThePilgrims
livedinconstantfearofKingJameswrath,neverknowingwhenthekingsmenmightbewatchingthem.

Forcedtochoosebetweentheirfaithandtheircountry,thePilgrimsbegantothinktheunthinkable
thattheymighthavetoleavebehindfriends,livingsandeveryhomecomforttheyhadeverknowntofindnew
homesinanewcountry,onethatwouldntpersecutethemforfollowingtheirconsciences.Astruefollowersof
Christ,thePilgrimsplacedtheirfaithinChristspromisefromMark10:2930:

noonewhohaslefthomeorbrothersorsistersormotherorfatherorchildrenorfieldsformeand
thegospelwillfailtoreceiveahundredtimesasmuchinthispresentage:homes,brothers,sisters,mothers,
childrenandfieldsalongwithpersecutions
andintheagetocome,eternallife.

PilgrimagetoAmsterdam
JustacrosstheNorthSealayacountry
thatwasfarfriendliertoSeparatiststhanEngland:
theNetherlands.AfterstrugglingagainstPhilipII
ofSpainthroughallthelongyearsoftheDutch
Revolt(seeChapter2),theDutchunderstoodthe
needtoseparatefromanoppressivestate
church.OtheroppressedEnglishSeparatistshad
alreadyfledforthesafetyofAmsterdam,
includingsomefromtheScroobyarea;sowith
greatdifficulty,thePilgrimsfollowedtheirfriends
toAmsterdam,arrivingtherehomelessand
pennilessin1608.

GIANTSOFTHEFAITH:PastorJohnRobinson(15761625)

ShortlybeforethePilgrimsleftforAmsterdam,theyelectednewchurchmemberJohnRobinsonas
assistantpastortoRichardClyfton.RobinsonwasaCambridgeeducatedformerAnglicanpriestwholeftthe
priesthoodfortworeasons:becausehestoppedbelievinginthepriesthoodwhenhebecameaPuritan,and
becausehewantedtomarry.WhenRobinsonjoinedthePilgrimsatScroobyduringtheirtroubledyearof1607,
theyimmediatelyrecognizedhisgreatteachingtalent;sotheyelectedhimasoneoftheirleaders,andfollowed
Clyfton,RobinsonandBrewstertoAmsterdam.
AtAmsterdam,thePilgrimsbrieflymingledwithabandofbickeringSeparatistscalledtheAncient
Brethren.TothedelightoftheirAnglicancriticsbackhome,theAncientBrethrendemonstratedoneofthe

pitfallsofSeparatism:thatwhenchurcheshavenobishops,theyhavenoonetobreakuptheirarguments.The
AncientBrethrenmovedfromoneconflicttothenext:whentheywerentbattlingoverhowtointerpretthe
Bible,theywereaccusingoneanotherofimmoralbehavior.ThePilgrimshadcometotheNetherlandshopingto
worshipinpeace;butinstead,theyfoundthemselvesentangledinabittertheologicalwar.

PilgrimagetoLeiden
In1609,eagertobefreeoftheAncientBrethrensincessantquarrels,thePilgrimsembarkedontheir
secondpilgrimage.WhilePastorClyftonremainedinAmsterdamtohelppastortheAncientBrethren,Pastor
RobinsonandElderBrewsterledthePilgrimsontothesmaller,quietercityofLeiden.ThePilgrimsweretocall
Leiden,Hollandhomeforthenextelevenyears.

FASCINATINGFACTS:TheHolyDiscipline

InLeiden,wheretheywerefinallyfreetoworshipastheychose,thePilgrimsperfectedanintensely
Biblecenteredstyleoflifeand
worshipcalledtheHolyDiscipline.
Determinedforhischurchtohonor
God,notman,PastorJohnRobinson
strippedhisservicesoftheirlast
fainttracesofCatholicorAnglican
ceremony,andinsteadfocusedona
solemnworshipstylegleaned
directlyfromtheBible.

MorningWorship
APilgrimworshipservice
beganaround8oclockonSunday
morningwithaprocesscalled
dignifyingthemeeting.Toavoid
thedistractionsoffamilylifeduring
theservice,Pilgrimfamiliesdignified
themeetingbysplittingup:themensatononesideofthemeetinghall;thewomensatontheother;andthe
childrensatinback,underthewatchfuleyeofdeaconswhowouldnothesitatetoswitchthemiftheydared
showdisrespectforGodbyfidgeting.

EachservicebeganwithaboutanhourofprayeroftenledbytheeloquentElderBrewster,whohada
specialgiftforGodhonoringprayer.ThePilgrimsalwaysstoodtopray;fortositinprayerwasdisrespectful
toGod,whiletokneelwasCatholicstyleidolatry.
Afterprayer,PastorRobinsonreadScripturefromhisGenevaBible,addingcommentstobesurehis
listenersunderstoodforunderstandingwascrucialtothePilgrims.ToPilgrimminds,hearingScripture
withoutcommentwastoomuchlikesittinginaCatholicceremony,listeningtoapriestchantScripturesin
Latinwithoutunderstandingawordhesaid.
ThePilgrimssangonlyGodwrittenPsalms,nevermanwrittenhymns.
Tofocustheirattentiononthemeaningofthewords,ratherthanthedistractingbeautyofthemusic,the
Pilgrimsneversangwithinstrumentsorinharmony;rather,theyalwayssangacapellaandinunison.
PastorRobinsonusuallytooktherestofthemorningtopreachasermonuptothreehourslong.

PieterskerkorSt.PetersChurch,nearwherethePilgrimsmetinLeiden,Holland

AfternoonWorship
AfterthenoonmealcamethepartofPilgrimworshipAnglicansespeciallydespised:prophesying.Pastor
RobinsonopenedtheafternoonservicewithanotherScripturereading;butafterthat,anymalechurchmember
wasfreetospeakhisinterpretationofthatScripture,ortoencouragehisfellowbelieverswithpersonalstories
ofGodsfaithfulness.UnlikeCatholicsandAnglicans,thePilgrimsbelievedthatGodsWordmightinspireany
truebelieverevenanuneducatedcommonertosaysomethingHispeopleneededtohear.

ALOOKAHEAD:ThefactthatanymalePilgrimwasfreetospeakinchurchnaturallymadePilgrimcommoners
moreindependentminded,moreeagertoexpresstheiropinionsthanCatholicorAnglicancommoners.When
thePilgrimsreachtheNewWorld,theseindependentmindedcommonerswilldemandtherighttoexpress
theiropinionsnotonlyinchurch,butalsointheircolonysgovernment.

Otherinterestingfacts:
ThePilgrimscelebratednospecialholydays,notevenChristmasorEaster.PastorRobinsonbasedhischurch
strictlyontheBible;andbecausetheBibledidntmentionChristmasorEaster,neitherdidthePilgrims.

EveninliberalLeiden,though,thePilgrimswerenotfreetoliveouttheirfaithentirelyastheychose.
AlthoughDutchlawallowedthePilgrimsfreedomofworship,itdid
notallowthemtoproselytizethatis,toseeknewconvertstotheir
faith.TheNetherlandsalsoheldotherdiscomfortsforthePilgrims:

Poverty:ThesecrecyofthePilgrims1607flightfromEngland
forcedthemtoleavebehindjobs,propertyandeveryotherkind
ofwealth,leavingthemhomelessandpenniless.Elevenyears
later,manyofthemwerestilljustaspenniless.
DutchLanguageandCulture:Becausethelocallanguageand
culturewereDutch,thePilgrimswerewatchingtheirchildren
growupmoreDutchthanEnglish.TheDutchalsotendedtohave
loosermoralsthantheEnglish,makingthemorallyupright
Pilgrimsallthemoreeagertokeeptheirchildrenseparate.
TheDutchRevolt:TherewasstillachancethatNetherlands
mightlosetheongoingDutchRevolttoSpain.Ifthathappened,
thenCatholicSpainmightforcetheProtestantDutchandthe
PilgrimsaswelltoswearallegiancetotheCatholicChurchthey
despised.

Intheirsearchforyetanothernewhome,onewherethey
couldearndecentlivingsincompletereligiousfreedom,thePilgrimsconsideredseveralpossibilities:

ThenortheastcoastofSouthAmerica,wherenoEuropeanhadyetsettled.OneproblemwithSpanishand
PortuguesedominatedSouthAmericawasthatanycolonytherewouldhavetobeCatholic.
Virginia,wheretheVirginiaCompanyofLondonhadsettledJamestownin1607.OneproblemwithVirginia
wasthattheSeparatistdespisingAnglicanChurchalreadyheldswaythere.
ThemouthoftheHudsonRiver,wheretheDutchhadsettledafewtradingposts(seeChapter7).One
problemwiththeHudsonRiverwasthattheDutchReformedChurchalreadyheldswaythere.
NewEngland,wheretheVirginiaCompanyofPlymouthhadsofarfailedtosettlealongtermcolony.

ModerndaywindmillatLeiden,Holland

FASCINATINGFACTSaboutADescriptionofNewEnglandbyCaptainJohnSmith

AfterCaptainJohnSmithleftJamestownin1609torecoverfromhisgunpowderburn(seeChapter4),
hemadeitbacktotheNewWorldjustonce.In1614,SmithpersuadedagroupofEnglishmerchantstofinancea
voyagetoNewEngland,promisingtorewardtheirinvestmentwithshiploadsofvaluablebeaverpelts,whaleoil
andfish.UponreachingNewEngland,though,Smithleftmosthiscrewtotheirfishingwhilehehimselftraveled
upanddownthecoast,mappingthearea.BackinEngland,Smithusedhisprovenmapmakingskillstoproduce
thebestmapoftheNewEnglandcoastsofar.
In1616,aroundthetimethePilgrimsinLeidenstartedlookingforapromisingplacetomove,Smith
publishedhismapinA
DescriptionofNew
Englandashortbookhe
wrotepartlytoencourage
KingJamesson,Prince
Charles,tosponsoracolony
inNewEngland.Someofthe
Pilgrimsalsoboughtcopies
ofSmithsbook,andtookin
hisglowingdescriptionsof
thefantasticopportunities
NewEnglandoffered
bountifulwealthforanyone
braveandindustrious
enoughtogoandgetit.

BecauseNew
Englandheldthebesthope
ofperfectreligiousfreedom,
combinedwiththehopeof
strikingitrichinthefishing
andfurindustries,the
Pilgrimsfinallydecidedto
settlethere.

INTERESTINGIDEAS:Before1620,allEnglishterritoryintheNewWorldofficiallyborethenameVirginia.In
1620,though,theVirginiaCompanyofPlymouthreceivedpermissionfromKingJamestorenamethenorthern
halfofVirginiaNewEnglandanamesuggestedbyCaptainJohnSmith,andapprovedbyPrinceCharles.Under
itsnewcharter,theVirginiaCompanyofPlymouthreorganizeditselfasthePlymouthCouncilforNewEngland.

ThePilgrimPress
Inthemiddleofthismomentousdecisionaboutwheretogo,ashortlivedprintingoperationcalledthe
PilgrimPressalmostkeptthePilgrimsfromgoinganywhereatall.Around1618,WilliamBrewsteralwaysone
ofthewealthierPilgrimsscrapedtogetherenoughmoneytobuyasmallprintingpress,movabletypeand
everythingelseheneededtoprintandbindbooks.ThePilgrimPresssstatedpurposewastoearnmoneyforits
owner,Brewster;butitsrealpurposewastoprintPuritanandSeparatistliteraturebooksandpamphletsthat
wereillegalinEngland,andinfuriatingtoKingJames.
In1619,ElderBrewsterfoundhimselfindeeptroubleoverabookthatJamesfoundparticularly
infuriating.OnararetripbacktoScotlandin1618,JamesorderedtheScotstoadoptrulesthatmadethe
presbyterianChurchofScotlandmoreliketheepiscopalAnglicanChurch.Inresponse,aboldScotnamedDavid
CalderwoodwroteascathingcritiqueofthekingstyrannytitledPerthAssembly.Asitwasneitherlegalnorsafe

CaptainJohnSmithsmapofNewEngland

toprintsuchcriticismsanywhereinBritain,CalderwoodhiredhisfriendWilliamBrewstertoprintPerth
AssemblyinLeiden;andwhenKingJamesfoundout,heorderedhisDutchambassadortoarrestBrewster.
Accusedoftreacheryagainsthisking,ElderBrewster
wasinseriousdangerofbeinghanged,drawnandquarteredif
thekingsmenfoundhim.Thisdeadlythreattotheirbeloved
elderencouragedthePilgrimstomovequickly.Fortunately,
Brewsterwaswilyenoughtogointohiding,andtoremain
hiddenuntilitwastimetojointhePilgrimsaboardMayflower.

DividingtheChurch
ThePilgrimspovertyforcedthemtomaketwo
unpleasantdecisions:

1. Withshippingcostssohigh,thePilgrimscouldntaffordto
movetheirwholechurchatonce;sotheydecidedtosplit
up:whilePastorRobinsonremainedbehindwiththemain
bodyofthechurch,ElderBrewsterwouldleadasmall
groupofPilgrimstoNewEngland.Althoughpartingwas
painful,allofthePilgrimshopedtoreuniteinNew
Englandsomedayiftheircolonywassuccessful.
2. Withtheirfundssolow,thePilgrimshadtoseekhelpfrom
acompanyofwealthyEnglishinvestorswhocarednothing
forthePilgrimsSeparatistbeliefs.

FASCINATINGFACTS:TheStrangers

Toboosttheircolonyschancesofsuccess,theinvestorswhohelpedfinancethePilgrimsexpedition
filledoutBrewsterssmallcompanyofPilgrimswithnonSeparatistrecruits.Becausetheserecruitsdidntbelong
tothePilgrimschurch,thePilgrimscalledthemStrangersalthoughmanyofthemlaterjoinedthePilgrims
church,andthuswereStrangersnolonger.
Interestingly,theStrangersaboardMayfloweroutnumberedthePilgrimsbyabouthalf.Ofthe102
settlerswhocametoNewEnglandaboardMayflowerinNovember1620,only41werePilgrims.Theother61
includingthewellknownMilesStandish,JohnAldenandPriscillaMullinswereallStrangers.

PilgrimagetoNewEngland
ThePilgrimsthirdandlastpilgrimage,the
onetoNewEngland,beganaboardtwoships:

1. Theexpeditionshiredflagship,Mayflower,was
about100feetlonganddisplacedabout180
tons.Mayflowerscommanderandonefourth
owner,CaptainChristopherJones,hadthe
experiencenecessarytoguidethePilgrims
safelytoNewEngland.
2. ThePilgrimspurchasedSpeedwell,asmall,
agingshipthatdisplacedabout60tons,toserve
twopurposesintheirnewhome:shewastobe
boththeirfishingshipandtheirlifelinebackto
Europe.TomaketheagingSpeedwell
seaworthy,thePilgrimshadtopayforseveralexpensiverepairsbeforetheyleftHolland.

Woodcutofa1500seraprintersshop

MayflowerII,amoderndayreplicaoftheoriginalMayflower

InlateJuly1620,about50PilgrimsboardedthenewlyrepairedSpeedwellataharbornearRotterdam,
theNetherlands.Fromthere,SpeedwellpassedthroughtheNorthSeaandtheStraitofDovertoSouthampton,
England,wheresherendezvousedwiththelargerMayflower.Somehow,thefugitiveElderBrewstersomehow
managedtoslipaboardatSouthamptonundetectedbythekingsmen.TheninearlyAugust,Mayflowerand
SpeedwellboretheircombinedpayloadofPilgrims,StrangersandtonsofsupplieswestwardthroughtheEnglish
ChannelandoutintothebroadAtlantic.
Predictably,Speedwellsoonsprangsomanyleaksthathercaptainfearedshemightsink;soheaskedto
turnbacktoDartmouth,Englandforrepairs.Afteratwoweekrepairdelay,MayflowerandSpeedwellstruck
westwardasecondtime.
Thistime,thetwoshipswereabout300milesoutintotheAtlanticwhenSpeedwellsprangasecond
cropofleaks,andhadtoturnbackasecondtime.WhentheshipwrightsofoldPlymouth,Englandcouldntfind
thesourceofSpeedwellspersistentleaks,thePilgrimshadnochoicebyto(1)abandontheonlyshipthey
owned,(2)sendsomeoftheirpeoplehomeand(3)carry
oninthehiredMayfloweralone.
ThisweekslongSpeedwelldelaywastohave
dangerousconsequences:

ThePilgrimsfirstdeparturedate,earlyAugust,
alreadyleftthemlittleenoughtimetobuildshelter
beforewintersetin;butnow,thankstoSpeedwell,
theyweredepartinginSeptember.Asaresult,the
firstfrostofthefrigidwinterof16201621would
reachNewEnglandlongbeforethePilgrims.
ThedelayalsopushedthePilgrimsvoyagedeeper
intotheAtlanticslatefallstormseason.Sureenough,
fiercestormsblewinfromthewestaboutmidway
throughthevoyage,forcingMayflowertotackback
andforthacrossviolent,contrarywinds.Asthe
dreadfullyseasickPilgrimsbelowdecksprayedfor
theirlives,onemightywaveheeledMayflowerover
soviolentlythatamaincrosstimbercracked.
Fortunately,theshipscarpenterwasabletoreinforce
thebrokentimberwithalargeironscrewandsome
bracing.

Finally,inearlyNovember1620twoseasickmonthsoutofoldPlymouth,andfourmonthsoutoftheir
oldhomeinLeidenthePilgrimsstrucklandatwhatisnowCapeCod,Massachusetts.

U.S.GEOGRAPHYFOCUS

TheCapeCod/MassachusettsBayRegion

CapeCodBayisafineAtlanticOceanbaythatiswellknownforitsabundantfish,includingtheAtlantic
codfishforwhichitisnamed.TheU.S.stateofMassachusettsenclosesCapeCodBayonthreesides:

Totheeastandsouth,CapeCodBayisenclosedbyCapeCodpeninsulatheoddshapeofwhichreminds
somepeopleofafishhook,andothersofahumanarmflexingitsmuscles.
Tothewest,CapeCodBayisenclosedbytheMassachusettsmainland.

TheGustbyartistW.vandeVeldetheYounger

AtCapeCodBaysnortheastcorner,insidethefishhooksbarb,liestheharborwherethePilgrimsfirst
madelandfall:ProvincetownHarbor.
AtCapeCodBaysnorthwestcornerliestheprotected
baywherethePilgrimsbuiltEnglandsfirstlongtermcolonyin
NewEngland:PlymouthBay,homeofPlymouthColony.A
stringofsandybarrierbeacheshelpsisolatePlymouthBay
fromCapeCodBaysrougherwaves.
Tothenorth,CapeCodBayopensintothelarger
MassachusettsBay.AtMassachusettsBayswestend,about
35milesupthecoastfromPlymouth,liesthewellprotected
harborthatquicklyreplacedPlymouthasMassachusetts
busiestport:BostonHarbor.
SouthofCapeCodliethreemorelargebodiesof
water:

1. BuzzardsBay,whichdividesmainlandMassachusetts
fromCapeCodandthelong,narrowchainoftheElizabeth
Islands.Inmoderntimes,theCapeCodCanalconnects
BuzzardsBaytoCapeCodBay.
2. VineyardSound,whichdividestheElizabethIslandsfrom
thelarge,wealthyislandofMarthasVineyard.
3. NantucketSound,whichliesbetweenCapeCod,Marthas
VineyardandNantucketIsland.

Together,allofthesebaysandsoundsgiveMassachusettsitsnickname:TheBayState.

U.S.HISTORYFOCUS

PlymouthColony

MeetingtheNatives
LikethenativeswholivedaroundJamestown,thenativeswholivedaroundPlymouthColonyspoke
languagesfromtheAlgonquianfamily.MostofthenativesthePilgrimsmetcamefromoneoffourmain
Algonquianspeakinggroups,threeofwhomhadalreadypaiddearlyforearlierbrusheswithEuropeans.

TheWampanoag:TheWampanoagpeoplelivedontheMassachusettsmainlandwestofCapeCodBay,Cape
CodandBuzzardsBay.Around1600,perhaps12,000Wampanoaglivedinabout40villages.
AllofthesevillagesbelongedtoalooseunioncalledtheWampanoagConfederacy.Eachvillagehadits
chief,orsachem;butoverallofthesesubchiefspresidedaparamountchiefcalledtheGrandSachem.Asof
1620,GrandSachemOusamequin,whomthePilgrimsknewasMassasoit,ledtheWampanoagConfederacy.

INTERESTINGIDEAS:BecauseMassasoitisAlgonquianforGrandSachem,thePilgrimswerecalling
Ousamequinbyhistitleratherthanhisgivenname.

TheNauset:TheNausetwereasmallerpeoplewholivedmainlyonCapeCod,MarthasVineyardand
Nantucket.BecausetheNausetsometimespaidtributetotheWampanoagConfederacy,theyaresometimes
consideredasubtribeoftheWampanoag.

TheMassachusett:TheMassachusettpeoplelivednorthoftheirWampanoagrivals,mainlyaroundwhatisnow
BostonHarbor.Around1600,perhapsabout3,000Massachusettlivedinabout20villages.

TheNarragansett:TheNarragansettpeoplelivedsouthwestoftheirWampanoagrivals,aroundNarragansett
BayinwhatisnowRhodeIsland.LiketheWampanoag,theNarragansettconcentratedtheirmightbyforminga
looseconfederacy.Around1600,perhaps10,000NarragansettlivedundertheNarragansettConfederacy.

TERRIBLETRAGEDIES:TheGreatPlagueofthe1610s

CaptainJohnSmiths1614fishing/mapping
expeditionwasonlyoneofmanyearlyvisits
EuropeanspaidtocoastalNewEngland.Around
thattime,theFrenchwerestrugglingtobuild
coloniesinAcadia(seeChapter5);theDutchwere
buildingcoloniesatthemouthoftheHudsonRiver
(seeChapter7);andtheEnglishandotherswere
fishingaroundNewfoundlandeverysummer.
WherevertheseEuropeansfoundnativesfriendly
enoughtotrade,theygladlyexchangedknives,
hatchets,copperkettlesandthelikeforthenatives
valuablebeaverpelts.
Ononeorseveralofthesetradingvisits,
theEuropeansleftbehindanunseenmenacethat
ledtooneofthegreatesttragediesinNewEngland
history.Overtheyearsfromabout16141619,a
waveofepidemicscrashedoverNewEnglandsnatives,claimingsomanylivesthattherewereoftennoliving
lefttoburythedead.SomeoftheGreatPlagueofthe1610svictimsprobablydiedofsmallpox,thesame
diseasethatkilledsomanyAztecsandIncas.Othersprobablydiedofmeasles,tuberculosis,influenzaoranyof
severalotherillnessesforwhichNewEnglandsnativeshadnoinbornimmunity.

INTERESTINGIDEAS:Onapercentagebasis,thescaleoftheGreatPlagueofthe1610swasevengreaterthan
thatoftheBlackDeath/BubonicPlagueepidemicthatstruckEurope,AsiaandNorthAfricaduringthe1360s(see
Year2).Thatearlierepidemickilledabout3060%ofEuropespopulation,anunspeakablytragicloss;butthe
GreatPlagueofthe1610skilledanastonishing7595%ofsomeNewEnglandpeoples.

TheWampanoag,NausetandMassachusettpeoplesweresodecimatedbytheGreatPlaguethatentire
villageslayempty,theirhutsandpathslitteredwithunburiedcorpses.AccordingtoPilgrimRobertCushman,
hardly1in20oftheWampanoagaroundPlymouthsurvivedtheGreatPlagueofthe1610s.

AMAZINGNATIVEAMERICANS:TisquantumorSquanto(1585?1622)

OneofthefewWampanoagwhosurvivedtheGreatPlagueofthe1610sforatime,atleastwasthe
PilgrimsfriendandtranslatorTisquantum,whosenamethePilgrimsbutcheredasSquanto.
SquantowasbornintheWampanoagvillageofPatuxet,whichlayinwhatisnowPlymouth,
Massachusetts.Squantosearlylifeismysterious,withdifferentstorytellerstellingdifferenttales;butallagree
thatin1614,SquantowascapturedandenslavedbyarogueEnglishseacaptainnamedThomasHunt.Hunt
cametoNewEnglandwithCaptainJohnSmiths1614fishing/mappingexpedition;andwhenSmithdeparted,he
leftHuntbehindtopursuerichesthroughthehonestfurtrade.Hunt,however,determinedtopursueriches
throughthedishonestslavetradeaswell.Withalluringpromisesofprofitabletrade,Huntluredanumberof
WampanoagandNausetnativesaboardhisship;butwhentheyclimbedaboard,hepromptlykidnappedthem
tosellasslaves.
FortunatelyforSquanto,HuntdidntbearhiscaptivesdirectlytotheWestIndies,wheremercilessslave

Aztecssufferingfromsmallpox

driversoftendroveslavesintoearlygraves.Instead,HuntborehiscaptivestoSpain,whereSpanishfriars
rescuedSquantofromHuntandslaveryandtaughthimaboutChristianity.FromSpain,theliberatedSquanto
somehowmadehiswaytoEngland,whereEnglishfishermenstartedhiringhimfortheirannualfishingtripsto
Newfoundland.
MeanwhilebackinNewEngland,theWampanoagandNauset
weresofuriousoverCaptainHuntscrimesthattheycutofftradewith
allEuropeans.TheEnglishwereeagertorestorethisprofitabletrade,
buthadnowaytomakepeacethatis,untilCaptainThomasDermer
realizedthatSquantowasaWampanoag.In1619,Dermercarried
Squantobacktohisnativelandtoserveastranslator,peacemakerand
tradenegotiatorbetweenEnglishandWampanoag.
Afterfiveyearsawayfromhome,Squantoprobablyexpected
warm,excitedgreetingsfromlonglostfamilyandfriends;butinstead,
hefoundtragedyforwhileSquantowasaway,theGreatPlagueofthe
1610smassacredentireWampanoagvillages.Squantosownnative
village,Patuxetwasanappallingboneyardpeopledonlybythe
unburied,scavengerscouredskeletonsofSquantoslostlovedones.
SquantostragiclossabruptlycancelledCaptainDermersplan
torestorepeace.Withnowhereelsetogo,theorphanedSquantowent
tolivewiththeWampanoagsurvivorsgatheredaroundGrandSachem
MassasoitinhishomevillageofPokanoket,about30milesfrom
Patuxet.Ayearlater,whenthePilgrimschosetheformerPatuxetasthe
sitefortheirnewcolony,theyfoundSquantolivingnearbywell
qualifiedandeagertoserveastheirtranslator,guideandsurvivalcoach.

ChoosingCapeCodBay
Byaccidentordesign,whenthePilgrimsstrucklandatCapeCod,theywerewellnorthofwherethey
weresupposedtobe.BackinEngland,PilgrimagentshadobtainedashadowypermissiontosettleonVirginia
CompanyofLondonterritory,whichendedat41northlatitude.CapeCod,however,layat42northwhich
madeitpartofNewEngland,wherethePilgrimshadnopermissiontosettle.Differentstorytellersoffer
differentversionsofhowthePilgrimschoseCapeCod:

1. AccordingtoWilliamBradford,thePilgrimstriedtosettlefarthersouth,buthadlittleluck.CaptainJonesdid
hisbesttosailMayflowersoutharoundCapeCod;butasheapproachedthebendnearwhatisnow
Chatham,treacherouswindsandshipkillingshoalschasedhimbacktothenorth.Aftertheirexhausting
voyageacrosstheAtlantic,thePilgrimsneededrest,notmoredanger;sotheyabandonedtheirplanto
settlefarthersouth,andinsteadsailedwestintoCapeCodBay.
2. SomehistorianssuggestthatthePilgrimsnevermeanttosettleanywherebutCapeCod,whichtheychose
foritsideallocationmidwaybetweentwopossiblesourcesofunwantedreligiousinterference:DutchNew
Netherlandtothesouthwest,andFrenchAcadiatothenortheast.

Whichevertaleisthetrueone,MayflowerfinallydroppedanchorinwhatisnowProvincetownHarborjust
insidethebarboftheCapeCodfishhookinNovember1620.
ThefactthatthePilgrimshadnolegalpermissiontosettleinNewEnglandledtoadourargument
beforetheydisembarked.

FASCINATINGFACTS:TheMayflowerCompact

AsthecompanyofPilgrimsandStrangersaboardMayflowerpreparedtorowashoreatProvincetown
Harbor,atroublinglegalquestionarose.BecausethePilgrimshadnolegalpermissiontosettleinNewEngland,
IllustrationofSquanto

theycouldnotclaimtobeunderKingJameslaw;sotheStrangerswondered:ifnotJameslaw,thenwhose?
Withoutaproperlegalsystemtoprotectthem,theStrangersworriedthesestrangereligiouszealotswithwhom
theyhadsailedmightwritestrange,arbitrarylaws.
Beforetheydisembarked,Pilgrimand
Strangerresolvedtheirlegalquestionwithashort
agreementcalledtheMayflowerCompact.
AlthoughtheoriginalMayflowerCompactislost,
aPilgrimwrittenbooktitledMourtsRelation
recordsitswords:

InthenameofGod,Amen.We,whose
namesareunderwritten,theLoyalSubjectsofour
dreadSovereignLord,KingJames,bytheGraceof
God,ofEngland,FranceandIreland,King,
DefenderoftheFaith,etc.Havingundertakenfor
theGloryofGod,andAdvancementofthe
ChristianFaith,andtheHonourofourKingand
Country,avoyagetoplantthefirstcolonyinthe
northernpartsofVirginia;dobythesepresents,solemnlyandmutuallyinthePresenceofGodandoneof
another,covenantandcombineourselvestogetherintoacivilBodyPolitick,forourbetterOrderingand
Preservation,andFurtheranceoftheEndsaforesaid;AndbyVirtuehereoftoenact,constitute,andframe,such
justandequalLaws,Ordinances,
Acts,ConstitutionsandOffices,from
timetotime,asshallbethought
mostmeetandconvenientforthe
GeneralgoodoftheColony;unto
whichwepromisealldue
submissionandobedience.In
Witnesswhereofwehavehereunto
subscribedournamesatCapeCod
theeleventhofNovember,inthe
ReignofourSovereignLord,King
JamesofEngland,Franceand
Ireland,theeighteenth,andof
Scotlandthefiftyfourth.Anno
Domini,1620.

Inotherwords,the
Mayflowerpioneersclaimedtwo
surprisingnewpowersfor
themselves:

1. Thepowertoformtheirowngovernmentandwritetheirownlaws,withoutwaitingforapprovalfromking
andparliament.
2. Thepowertogiveallmen,notjustwealthynobles,voicesinthatgovernment.Thelistofmenwhosigned
theMayflowerCompactwasasremarkableastheCompactitself;forinadditiontothedozenorsowealthy
gentlemenaboard,thesignersincludedmorethantwodozenpoormen,andevenafewservants.Between
theVirginiaHouseofBurgessesandtheMayflowerCompact,NorthAmericain1620wasalreadybecoming
aplacewherecommonerscouldenjoyfarmorefreedomthaninEngland.

TheMayflowerCompact,1620byartistJeanFerris

ALOOKAHEAD:Morethan150yearslater,theprinciplesintheMayflowerCompactwillhelpguidethe
FoundingFatherswhowillwritethefoundingdocumentsoftheUnitedStates,includingtheDeclarationof
Independence,theConstitutionandtheBillofRights.

INTERESTINGINDIVIDUALSaboardMayflower

BesidesWilliamBrewsterandWilliamBradford,otherwellknownnamesamongtheMayflowerinclude:

JohnCarver:ImmediatelyaftersigningtheMayflowerCompact,theMayflowerpioneerselectedwealthyPilgrim
JohnCarvertobetheirfirstgovernormakingCarverthefirstNewWorldgovernorelectedbythepeoplehe
wastolead.CarverservedthePilgrimssoenergeticallythathediedofexhaustioninApril1621,lessthansix
monthsafterhiselection.
Hisreplacementwas
WilliamBradford,who
wouldguidePlymouth
Colonyformostofthenext
30years.

DorothyBradford:While
thepioneerswerestill
lookingforthebestplaceto
settle,DorothyBradford
wifeoffutureGovernor
WilliamBradfordslipped
offMayflowersdeckand
drownedinthecoldwaterofProvincetownHarbor.SomehistoriansspeculatethatDorothydidntreallyslip,
butinsteadcommittedsuicideperhapsoutofgriefoveraninfantshehadjustlost.

MilesStandish:BeforedepartingEngland,thePilgrimsconsideredhiringthehighlyexperiencedCaptainJohn
Smithtoleadtheirexpedition;butintheend,theyfounditcheapertobuySmithsmapthanhispresence.
InsteadofSmith,thePilgrimshiredthebelligerentCaptainMilesStandishtoheadtheirsmallbutpotentmilitia,
whichStandishcommandedfrom1621untilhisdeathin1656.AlthoughmanyotherStrangerseventuallyjoined
thePilgrimschurch,Standishneverdid.

DEFINITIONS:
Ablunderbusswasalargebarreledmusketthatcouldfirenails,pebblesorbrokenglassaswellasironballs
orshot.
Ashallopwasacollapsiblesailboatthatcouldbebrokendownandstoredbelowdecksforlongvoyages.

TroublewiththeNauset
ThePilgrimsfirst
landingatProvincetown
Harborplacedthemin
Nausetterritory.Because
theyhadntmetSquantoyet,
theydidntknowthat
CaptainHunthadmade
enemiesoftheNauset(see
above);buttheNausetknew.

LandingofthePilgrims,apaintingfromtheU.S.CapitolRotunda.ElderWilliamBrewsterstandsatcenter.

Flintlockblunderbussfromthe1700s.ThePilgrimsblunderbusseswerematchlocks.

Almostfromthemomenttheylanded,thePilgrimsconfirmedtheNausetsworstsuspicionsabout
Englishmen.First,thecuriousPilgrimsdugintoNausetburialmounds,disturbingandstealingsomeofthegrave
goodstheNausethadburiedwiththeirdead.Next,theydugintotheNausetsundergroundgranaries,stealing
bushelsofstoredcorn.ThePilgrimssawthiscornasagiftfromGod,seedcorntoplantwhenspringcame;but
theNausetsawthemenwhostoletheircornasdetestablethievesandgraverobbers.
Aftertheshipscarpenterfinallyassembledandrepairedtheexpeditionsshallop,apartyof18Pilgrims
andStrangerssetouttosearchthefrostycoastforamorepermanentsettlementsite.Aboutfifteenmilesdown
CapeCodswestcoast,theexpeditionputinatwhatisnowWellfleetHarbortobuildafireagainstthebitter
cold.Thenextday,theyexploreddownthecoasttowardthegreatbendinthecape,wheretheybuiltanother
campsite.Wherevertheycamped,theevercautiousMilesStandishalwaysfelledtreesandpiledtheminto
barricades,justincasethenativesdecidedtoattack.
Standishscautionwasfortunate,foritwasatthissecondcampsitethattheNausetdecidedtopunish
thePilgrimsgraverobberyandtheft.AsthePilgrimswerebreakingcamp,aNausetwarpartysuddenlyburst
throughthetrees,howlingwarwhoopsandlettingflywiththeirarrows.MostofthePilgrimsracedforthe
safetyofthebarricade;butafewracedfortheshallop,wheretheyhadlefttheirblunderbusses.Whenthe
Nausetchargedafterthese,severalPilgrimschargedfrombehindthebarricadetointerceptthemwithswords.
ThingsmighthavegonebadlyforthePilgrimshadnotCaptainMilesStandishstayedbehindthebarricade,
calmlyblastingawaywithhisblunderbussuntiltheNausetfinallyranoff.Incredibly,notonePilgrimorStranger
receivedsomuchasascratchinthishastyexchange.AsfortheNausetswounds,nooneknows.

ChoosingPlymouthHarbor
AftertheirheartstoppingfirstencounterwiththeNauset,thepartyquicklycontinuedonaroundthe
coast,hopingthedangerwaspastfortheday.Incredibly,though,thedangerwasonlybeginningforafew
hourslater,afiercestormblewupandsnappedtheirrudder,sendingthemcareeningacrossthebaywithonly
theiroarstoguidetheirheavysailboat.Arounddark,theirmastsnappedaswell,andthedragofitssailalmost
capsizedthembeforetheycouldcutitaway.
Nowrudderless,mastlessandlightless,thepartysomehowmanagedtoridetheinflowingtidetoasafe
landingamidtherocksandshoalsofsomeunseenshore.Onthemorningafterthestorm,thePilgrimsfound
themselvesonClarkIsland,oneofthesmallislandsinwhatCaptainJohnSmithnamedPlymouthBay.

AstheyexploredthecoastaroundPlymouthBay,theyrealizedthattheyhadfoundwhattheywere
lookingfor.Nearthebays
southernend,theyfound
anexcellentsettlementsite
furnishedwith(1)running
freshwaterbrooks,(2)fields
readyclearedforcrops,(3)
goodhillsfordefensive
cannon,and(4)goodstone
forbuilding.ThePilgrims
hadstumbledupon
Squantosabandonedhome
villageofPatuxet,which
theywouldsoonrename
Plymouth.

WhilePlymouth
wasafarbettersitethan
JamestownIslandinmany
ways,itwasworseinoneway:neartheshore,PlymouthHarborwastooshallowforlargeships.WhenCaptain

MayflowerinPlymouthHarborbyartistWilliamHalsall

JonespilotedMayflowerintoPlymouthHarborseveraldayslater,shallowwaterforcedhimtoanchorherabout
11/2milesfromshore.Overthenextthreemonths,PilgrimsandStrangersspentcountlesshoursferrying
themselvesfromtheshore,wheretheysettoworkbuildingshelter,totheship,wheretheyspenttheirnights.

TERRIBLETRAGEDIES:TheDeadlyWinterof16201621

Unfortunately,thePilgrimshadtakentoolongtofindPlymouth;forjustastheystartedworkontheir
firstbuildings,thefullforceofabitterNewEnglandwinterpresseddownuponthem.Thecombinationofso
manystressesdisease,exhaustionfromtheirhardjourney,lackoffreshfoodandexposuretofrigid
weatherprovedtoomuchfortheirconstitutionstobear.
LikeJamestownandQuebecCity,Plymouthpaidahighpriceindeathandgriefforbeingthefirstlong
termEuropeansettlementinitsregion.OverthemonthsfromDecember1620March1621,two,threeor
morePilgrims,Strangersandsailorsdiedeveryweek.Whenthatlong,sadwinterfinallydraggedtoanend,55of
theoriginal102colonistslaydead,alongwithhalfofMayflowerscrew.

Samoset
Throughoutthathard
firstwinter,thePilgrimsrarely
evensawanative,muchless
spoketoone.Thatsurprising
situationchangedonedayin
March1621,whenanearnaked
bravenamedSamosetabruptly
strodeintoPlymouthsnew
commonhouseandboldly
pronouncedWelcome,
Englishmen!Samoset,itturned
out,wasnotoneofthelocal
Wampanoag;rather,hecame
fromwhatisnowMaine,where
hehadlearnedabitofEnglish
fromtradersmoretrustworthy
thanThomasHunt.
Despitehisdistant
origins,Samosetknewenough
totellthePilgrimsallaboutthe
Wampanoag:howtheywereorganized(theWampanoagConfederacy);thenameoftheirGrandSachem
(Massasoit);andwhythePilgrimshadfoundPlymouthabandoned(becauseoftheGreatPlagueofthe1610s).
SamosetalsotoldthePilgrimswhotheNausetwere,andwhytheyhadattackedthemtopunishthemfor
theftandgraverobbery.ThePilgrimspromisedthenandtheretorepaytheNausetforalltheyhadtaken;and
later,whenthehonestPilgrimsgotthechance,theydid.

PeacewiththeWampanoag
AboutaweekafterSamosetsfriendlyvisittoPlymouth,GrandSachemMassasoitstrodemajestically
intoPlymouthscommonhousetonegotiateapeacetreatywithGovernorJohnCarver.Thetermsofthispeace,
translatedbyMassasoitsaidesSquantoandSamoset,werethese:

MassasoitgrantedthePilgrimspermissiontooccupyabout12,000acresoflandaroundPlymouth.Atthe
moment,thislandmeantlittletoMassasoitforwithallPatuxetspeopleexceptSquantodead,therewere
nomoreWampanoagtooccupyit.

LandingofthePilgrimsonPlymouthRock,1620byartistP.Rothermel

BothPilgrimandWampanoagagreedtodonoharmtooneanother.
IfaWampanoagviolatedthetreatybyharmingaPilgrim,thenhewouldbesenttothePilgrimsfor
punishment;andifa
Pilgrimviolatedthe
treaty,thenhewould
besenttothe
Wampanoagfor
punishment.
Eachsideagreedto
cometotheothersaid
iftheotherwasunjustly
attackedbyoutsiders.

Massasoitshistoric
visittoPlymouthwasthe
beginningofacomfortable
peacethatwastolastfor
morethan40years.Peace
withtheWampanoagheld
lifesavingbenefitsforthe
Pilgrims:

1. Peacerelievedthe
Pilgrimsconstantfear
ofattack,andprovidedthemwithapowerfulallyincasetheywereattacked.
2. PeaceallowedthePilgrimstotradefreelywiththeWampanoagandothertribes,developingthefurtrade
thatwouldhelpthempayoffthedebtstheyowedinvestorsbackinEngland.
3. PeaceallowedthePilgrimstogainallsortsofhelpfulknowledgefromSquantoandtheotherWampanoag,
knowledgethatalmostcertainlysavedtheirlives.

INTERESTINGIDEAS:OnereasonMassasoitwassoquicktonegotiatepeacewasthattheGreatPlagueofthe
1610s,whichhaddecimatedhisWampanoagpeople,hadsomehowmissedhisrivalstheNarragansett
perhapsbecausetheNarragansettlivedfarther
fromtheplaguesorigin.NowthatNarragansett
badlyoutnumberedWampanoag,Massasoitwas
gladtofindnewalliesagainstthem,especiallyallies
armedwithgunpowder.

ILLUMINATINGLESSONS:WhatSquantoTaughtthe
Pilgrims

SoonafterhetranslatedMassasoitspeace
treaty,SquantomovedtoPlymouthtoserveasthe
Pilgrimsfulltimetranslator,negotiator,guideand
survivalcoach.GovernorWilliamBradford,who
replacedGovernorCarverafterCarverdiedinApril,
tookSquantointohishome,taughthimtheHoly
Disciplineandgenerallytreatedhimlikethe
invaluablememberofthecommunityhewas.

MassasoitandGovernorJohnCarversealingtheirpeacetreatywithapeacepipe

SquantoteachingthePilgrimstofertilizecornbyburyingfishineachcornhill

InexchangeforBradfordskindness,SquantotaughtthePilgrimstheskillstheyneededtosurvivein
NewEngland.BackinLeiden,thePilgrimshadbeencityfolk,notoutdoorsmen;sowhentheyfirstarrivedin
NewEngland,theyweremuchliketheBabesintheWoodfromthewellknownnurserytalesodeficientin
fishing,huntingandfarmingskillsthatwithoutSquantoshelp,theymighthaveallstarvedtodeath.
OneofthemanyskillsSquantotaughtthePilgrimswashowtogrownativecorn.Becausethesoil
aroundPlymouthwasntfertileenoughforcropshavingbeendrainedofnutrientsoveryearsofplantings
Squantospeoplelearnedtofertilizethesoilbyplantingthreedeadherringaroundeachcornhill,theirheadsall
pointingtowardtheseedsatthecenter.Astheherringdecayed,theirbodiesprovidedthenutrientscorn
neededtothrive.SquantoalsotaughtthePilgrimsothernecessaryskills,like(1)howtobuildtrapsforthe
herringthatranupPlymouthsTownBrookeveryspring;and(2)howtoguardtheircornhillssothatwolves
couldntdiguptheirherringfertilizerandruintheircrops.

FASCINATINGFACTS:TheThreeSisters

SomeNativeAmericansplantedtheirthreemainstaplecropscorn,polebeansandsquashtogether
inanarrangementcalledtheThreeSisters.EachoneoftheThreeSistersprovidedtheotherswithsome
advantage:thecornstalkprovidedanaturalpoletoholdupthepolebeansvines;thepolebeansrootsadded
needednitrogentothesoil;andthesquashsleafyvinesshadedthesoilaroundthecornhill,slowingthegrowth
ofchokingweeds.

INTERESTINGINDIVIDUALS:InadditiontoSquanto,thePilgrimsalsotookinanotherimportanttranslatorand
guide:aWampanoagnamedHobomok,whoquicklybecameCaptainMilesStandishsfavorite.

RaidonNemasket(1621)
Notallofthe
Wampanoagwerehappy
thatGrandSachem
Massasoitmadepeacewith
thePilgrimssoeasily,or
thatSquantowasbeingso
helpfultothem.
Onedayinthe
summerof1621,Squanto
andHobomokwenttovisit
theirfellowWampanoagin
thevillageofNemasket,
about15mileswestof
Plymouth.Nemasketssub
chief,arebelliousWampanoagnamedCorbitant,apparentlyconsideredSquantoatraitorforhelpingthe
Pilgrims;so,accordingtoHobomok,CorbitantseizedSquantoandthreatenedtoslithisthroat.Hobomok,who
wasfeelingthethreatofCorbitantsknifehimself,didntwaitaroundforCorbitanttofulfillhisthreat.Instead,
hefledbacktoPlymouth,wherehebreathlesslyreportedthatCorbitanthadmurderedSquanto.
ThePilgrimsreceivedHobomoksnewswithgreatalarm.Allagreedthatiftheydidnothingtopunish

MilesStandishattheheadofthesmallPilgrimarmy,guidedbyHobomok

themurderofSquanto,theirmosttrustedWampanoagfriend,thentheirfriendshipmeantnothing.
Furthermore,todonothingwouldbetoinviteattack,asitwouldalmostcertainlycostthemtheWampanoags
respect.Forbothofthesereasons,ahastilycalledPilgrimcouncildecidedtosendMilesStandishandhis
heavilyarmedmilitiatopunishCorbitant.
Thatnight,StandishandhissquadquietlyslippedintoNemasketandsurroundedCorbitantshut.On
Standishssignal,thePilgrimsburstinside,brandishingtheirblunderbussesanddemandingCorbitantshead.
WhenseveralfrightenedWampanoagtriedtoescape,thePilgrimsopenedfire,woundingafew.
Afterthesmokecleared,thePilgrimslearnedthatthewholeaffairmighthavebeenfornothingforin
thefirstplace,Squantowasnotdead,asCorbitanthadnevermadegoodonhisthreat;andinthesecondplace,
CorbitanthadalreadyfledNemasketbeforethePilgrimsarrived.

Evenso,StandishsraidonNemasketaccomplishedthis:ittaughttheWampanoagthatthePilgrims
wereaformidablefightingforce.Aftertheraid,severalfrightenedWampanoagsubchiefspaidmeekvisitsto
PlymouthtoassurethePilgrimsthattheywantedpeace,notwar.InWampanoageyes,thePilgrimsmightnot
knowmuchaboutkeepingthemselvesfed,buttheycertainlyknewhowtodefendthemselves.

FASCINATINGFEASTS:TheFirstThanksgiving

AsPlymouth
Colonysfirstsuccessful
harvestseasondrewtoa
closeinthefallof1621,the
PilgrimscelebratedGods
blessingswithafestivalof
thanksgiving.Theauthorsof
MourtsRelationrecord:

Ourharvestbeing
gottenin,ourgovernorsent
fourmenonfowling[bird
hunting],thatsowemight
afteraspecialmanner
rejoicetogetherafterwe
hadgatheredthefruitsof
ourlabormanyofthe
Indianscomingamongstus,
andamongtheresttheirgreatestkingMassasoit,withsomeninetymen,whomforthreedaysweentertained
andfeasted

ThisfirstThanksgivingwasnosolemnoccasion,althoughthePilgrimscertainlyofferedprayers.Rather,
itwasagladthreedaycelebrationfilledwithgames,demonstrationsofmilitaryskilland,ofcourse,plentyof
food.GovernorBradfordrecordsthatthemenuincludedducks,geeseandwildturkey,ofwhichtheytook
many;MourtsRelationrecordsthattheWampanoagbaggedfivedeerfortheoccasion.Anotheritemthatwas
certainlyonthemenuwasseafood,forthePilgrimsfishedCapeCodBayfromtheirshallopeverydaythe
weatherallowed.CertainotheritemsthathavesincebecomepartsofthetraditionalUSAThanksgivingmenu
suchaspumpkinpie,cranberries,stuffing,mashedpotatoesandhamarementionedinnoPilgrimrecord.
ThePilgrimswouldhavebeendisappointedtoknowthatthisfirstThanksgivingbecameanannual
celebration;fortheHolyDisciplinerecognizednoholydays.ThePilgrimsthanksgivingalwaysarosefromtheir
hearts,neverfromsomeAnglicanbishopscalendar.ForthesamereasonsthePilgrimsrejectedChristmasand
Easter,theyalsowouldhaverejectedanyannualcelebrationofThanksgiving;butifanyChristiangenuinely

TheFirstThanksgivingbyartistJ.Ferris

wantedtogivethanksforGodsblessings,thenthePilgrimswouldhavestoodbesidehiminjoyfulagreement.

ALOOKAHEAD:In1863,themiddleyearoftheU.S.CivilWar,PresidentAbrahamLincolnwillaskallAmericans
tosetasidethelastThursdayofNovemberasadayof(1)thanksgivingtoGodand(2)prayerforallofthe
orphans,widowsandmournerscreatedbythatwar.TheU.S.willobserveThanksgivingeveryyearthereafter.

FASCINATINGFATES

Squanto:InNovember1622,onlyabout11/2yearsafterSquantoenteredthePilgrimsservice,thedoomof
Squantospeoplecaughtupwithhim.OnanexpeditionaroundCapeCodseastcoast,Squantosuddenlytookill
withwhatthePilgrimscalledIndianfever;andsadly,neitherEnglishnornativemedicinecouldsavehim.

PastorJohnRobinson:AlthoughthePilgrimsbelovedPastorJohnRobinsonoftenencouragedthemorchided
themwithhislongletters,hewasnevertojointheminPlymouth;forin1625,RobinsondiedatLeiden,Holland.

ROMANTICRHYMES:HenryWadsworthLongfellowsTheCourtshipofMilesStandish

MilesStandishandtwootherStrangers,JohnAldenandPriscillaMullins,formedthreecornersofalove
triangleromanticizedinHenryWadsworthLongfellows1858poemTheCourtshipofMilesStandish.
AccordingtoLongfellowspoem,StandishlongedtomarryMullins,butwastooshytoproposemarriage
directly;soheaskedAldentoproposetoheronhisbehalf.WhenAldenproposedasStandishasked,though,
Mullinscoylyreplied,Whydontyouspeakforyourself,John?WhetherornotLongfellowslovesicktaleis
true,nonecansay;butitistruethatPriscillaMullinsmarriedJohnAlden,notMilesStandish.

SUSPICIOUSSTONES:PlymouthRock

PlymouthRockisahalfburiedboulderthatjutsoutofthewateron
PlymouthBeachatlowtide,butismostlysubmergedathightide.
TraditionholdsthattheveryfirsttimethePilgrimslandedatPlymouth,
theysteppedoutoftheirlongboatontoPlymouthRock.However,this
traditiondoesnotcomefromtheoldestPilgrimrecords,whichnowhere
mentiontherock.Instead,itcomesfromthememoryofaPilgrim
descendantnamedThomasFaunce,whoidentifiedtherockin1741
whenhewas95yearsold.BecauseevenFauncewasntoldenoughto
havewitnessedthelandingfirsthand,somehavedoubtedhisstoryeversincehetoldit.
In1774,astheAmerican
RevolutionaryWarthreatened,abandof
Massachusettspatriotsdecidedtoadopt
PlymouthRockasasymbolofAmerican
independence;sotheyhookedachain
arounditandhauledonitwithoxen,hoping
todragituphilltoPlymouthsmeeting
house.Unfortunately,thestressoflifting
theheavyboulderoutofthesandbrokeit
intwo,leavingthepatriotsonlythe
bouldersbrokentoptodisplay.Overthe
years,souvenirhunterschippedawayatthis
brokentopuntilonlyaboutonethirdofit
remained.Inmoderntimes,thatonethirdhasbeenrestoredtoitsoriginalplaceonthebeach,wherevisitors
mayviewitbutnotchiselchipsfromitfromstreetlevel.