In 1628, Plymouth was visited by the Dutchman named Isaac de Rasieres, and he wrote a more detailed description of what he saw: New Plymouth
New Plymouth
New Plymouth is the major city of the Taranaki Region on the west coast of the North Island of New Zealand. It is named after the English city of Plymouth from where the first English settlers migrated. The New Plymouth District, which includes New Plymouth City and several smaller …
Full Answer
What is the significance of the colony of Plymouth?
Plymouth Colony. Plymouth Colony (sometimes New Plymouth) was an English colonial venture in America from 1620 to 1691 at a location that had previously been surveyed and named by Captain John Smith. The settlement served as the capital of the colony and developed as the town of Plymouth, Massachusetts.
What happened at Plymouth Colony?
It was settled by a group of Separatist Puritans from England in 1620. Many historic events took place at Plymouth Colony, such as the First Thanksgiving in 1621 when the pilgrims held a harvest celebration and invited the local Wampanoag tribe to the feast. Plymouth Colony continued until 1691 when it was merged with Massachusetts Bay Colony.
Where did the settlers settle in Plymouth?
The new arrivals were allotted land in the area of the Eel River known as Hobs Hole, which became Wellingsley, a mile south of Plymouth Rock. In September 1623, another ship arrived carrying settlers destined to refound the failed colony at Weymouth, and they stayed temporarily in Plymouth.
Was New Plymouth a frontier settlement?
New Plymouth was a New World English colonial settlement, however there were numerous colonial campaigns in the Old World that had establish a precedent for English colonial frontier architecture. At the onset of colonial endeavors in Virginia and New England, a campaign was already in progress to colonize Northern Ireland.
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How was Plymouth settled?
Definition. The Plymouth Colony (1620-1691 CE) was the first English settlement in the region of modern-day New England in the United States, settled by the religious separatists known as the “pilgrims” who crossed the Atlantic Ocean on the Mayflower in 1620 CE.
What type of settlers did Plymouth have?
Plymouth Colony was founded by a group of English Puritans who came to be known as the Pilgrims.
What was life like in the Plymouth Colony?
Although the Pilgrims were not starving, their sea-diet was very high in salt, which weakened their bodies on the long journey and during that first winter. As many as two or three people died each day during their first two months on land. Only 52 people survived the first year in Plymouth.
Why was the Plymouth settlement so important?
Established in December 1620 in what is now Massachusetts, the Plymouth Colony was the first permanent settlement of Europeans in New England and the second in North America, coming just 13 years after the settlement of Jamestown, Virginia, in 1607.
Were there slaves in Plymouth Colony?
In the later years of the Plymouth colony, slavery was by no means widespread, but it was present and seemingly accepted. The families of the colony did not possess the wealth to own slaves, though records from 1674 onwards show the presence of slaves in some households.
How did the Plymouth Colony survive?
Though Plymouth would never develop as robust an economy as later settlements—such as Massachusetts Bay Colony—agriculture, fishing and trading made the colony self-sufficient within five years after it was founded. Many other European settlers followed in the Pilgrims' footsteps to New England.
Did the Plymouth Colony succeed?
Ultimately, Plymouth colony never achieved the level of economic success that its neighbor, the Massachusetts Bay Colony, did and was eventually merged with the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1691 and became a royal colony known as the Province of Massachusetts Bay.
Who was the first child born in the Plymouth Colony?
Peregrine WhitePeregrine White was born to William and Susanna White in November of 1620 aboard the Mayflower, while the vessel was docked off the coast of Cape Cod. Susanna was 7 months pregnant when she had boarded the ship bound for the new world.
What is Plymouth known for?
The town holds a place of great prominence in American history, folklore, and culture, and is known as "America's Hometown". Plymouth was the site of the colony founded in 1620 by the Mayflower Pilgrims, where New England was first established.
Where is Plymouth located today?
southeastern MassachusettsPlymouth, town (township), Plymouth county, southeastern Massachusetts, U.S. It lies on Plymouth Bay, 37 miles (60 km) southeast of Boston. It was the site of the first permanent settlement by Europeans in New England, Plymouth colony, known formally as the colony of New Plymouth.
Why was Plymouth more successful than Jamestown?
Jamestown offered anchorage and a good defensive position. Warm climate and fertile soil allowed large plantations to prosper. Plymouth provided good anchorage and an excellent harbor. Cold climate and thin, rocky soil limited farm size.
Who were the settlers of Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay colonies?
Plymouth Colony First colonial settlement in New England (founded 1620). The settlers were a group of about 100 Puritan Separatist Pilgrims, who sailed on the Mayflower and settled on what is now Cape Cod bay, Massachusetts. They named the first town after their port of departure.
Who went to Plymouth?
On September 6, 1620, 102 passengers–dubbed Pilgrims by William Bradford, a passenger who would become the first governor of Plymouth Colony—crowded on the Mayflower to begin the long, hard journey to a new life in the New World.
Who landed at Plymouth Rock?
the PilgrimsOn December 21, 1620, the Pilgrims came ashore at Plymouth. After 66 days at sea and several weeks docked in Provincetown Harbor while the passengers explored Cape Cod, Mayflower finally docked in Plymouth on December 18th. On December 21st, the first expedition took the shallop ashore.
How many settlers did Winthrop bring?
Winthrop brought over 700 settlers with him and, between 1630-1636 CE, over 20,000 more arrived. Evangelization of the natives was a top priority, but as more were converted, became “civilized”, and moved closer to the churches, the native tribes lost members. This situation became increasingly intolerable to Metacom (l. 1638-1676 CE, better known as King Philip ), son of Massasoit and chief of the Wampanoag Confederacy following his father's death. Metacom had grown up with the pilgrims of the Plymouth colony and admired them so much that he took the name Philip and dressed in European clothes; he was known by the colonists as King Philip. He tried a number of times to halt the expansion of colonists through negotiation, but the colonists never kept their promises, and war broke out.
What was the Mayflower landing site?
Bradford's work was the literary accompaniment to the physical symbol of the pilgrim's arrival – Plymouth Rock – which was identified in 1741 CE as the landing site of the Mayflower in 1620 CE by one Thomas Faunce (then 90 years old) whose father had arrived in the colony in 1623 CE. Although there is no mention in Bradford's work - ...
What was the significance of the book of the pilgrims of Plymouth?
The popularity of the book (considered an American classic in the present day) encouraged the already high level of interest in the pilgrims of Plymouth, which had been ongoing since before the American War of Independence (1775-1783 CE) and played a part in the establishment of Thanksgiving Day.
What is the meaning of "dumphasizer"?
Mark. published on 26 October 2020. Send to Google Classroom: Listen to this article. X. Plimoth Plantation. Dumphasizer (CC BY-SA) The Plymouth Colony (1620-1691 CE) was the first English settlement in the region of modern-day New England in the United States, settled by the religious separatists known as ...
Why were houses built in Plymouth?
Houses were first constructed along Leiden Street (modern-day Leyden Street, Plymouth) in honor of the pilgrims' home in the Netherlands. The agreement they had made with Weston stipulated a certain amount of goods to be delivered to investors but, so far, the pilgrims had nothing of value to send.
What was the result of King Philip's war?
King Philip's War (1675-1678 CE) was a three-year conflict of attrition during which King Philip struck at the colonists through guerilla tactics , sparing no one , and the colonists assembled militias to attack native encampments. Hostilities continued until King Philip was betra yed and killed by one of his own men. By the end of the war, thousands were dead on both sides and the natives were driven off their land. Many were sold into slavery, and others forced onto reservations. The Plymouth colony, which naturally sided with the other colonists of the region, lost a significant number of citizens and afterwards severed ties with the Native American communities that remained.
What forced the Native Americans to settle in Massachusetts?
Bad weather had blown them off course, however, and their dwindling supplies, coupled with poor weather conditions, forced them to put ashore in modern-day Massachusetts where they would settle and, with the help of the Native Americans of the region, survive to establish their colony.
PLYMOUTH SETTLEMENT, A HISTORY 1608-1650
Plymouth was settled by Pilgrims arriving from England in 1608. In this week’s rendition of REDMOND’S REVIEW, this book review details some of the history of the time Plymouth settlement.
THE HISTORY OF THE PLYMOUTH SETTLEMENT, 1608-1650 AD
As the political narrative, along with the mandated tenured professors indoctrination on the current interpretation of the Pilgrim’s, it morphs and changes with the current times, far from an agenda-driven perspective. Here one reads the compelling writings of William Bradford.
THANKSGIVING WAS SOMETHING COMMONPLACE
The writings about that Thanksgiving talk of games being played and meals being shared to celebrate a wonderful crop and harvest.
Why did Squanto stay in Plymouth?
After the departure of Massasoit and his men, Squanto remained in Plymouth to teach the Pilgrims how to survive in New England, such as using dead fish to fertilize the soil. For the first few years of colonial life, the fur trade was the dominant source of income beyond subsistence farming, buying furs from Natives and selling to Europeans. Governor Carver suddenly died shortly after the Mayflower returned to England. William Bradford was elected to replace him and went on to lead the colony through much of its formative years. : 102–103
How many people were in Plymouth County in 1643?
In 1643, the colony had an estimated 600 males fit for military service, implying a total population of about 2,000. The estimated total population of Plymouth County was 3,055 by 1690, on the eve of the colony's merger with Massachusetts Bay.
What are the traditions of the Plymouth Colony?
Many of the people and events surrounding Plymouth Colony have become part of American folklore, including the American tradition of Thanksgiving and the monument of Plymouth Rock.
How long has the Plymouth colony been around?
The events surrounding the founding and history of Plymouth Colony have had a lasting effect on the art, traditions, mythology, and politics of the United States of America, despite its short history of fewer than 72 years.
What colony was founded by Puritan Separatists?
At its height, Plymouth Colony occupied most of the southeastern portion of Massachusetts . Plymouth Colony was founded by a group of Puritan Separatists initially known as the Brownist Emigration, who came to be known as the Pilgrims.
What was the name of the colony in 1620?
Plymouth Colony (sometimes Plimouth) was an English colonial venture in America from 1620 to 1691 at a location that had previously been surveyed and named by Captain John Smith. The settlement served as the capital of the colony and developed as the town of Plymouth, Massachusetts. At its height, Plymouth Colony occupied most ...
Where did the Mayflower meet the Speedwell?
Speedwell was re-rigged with larger masts before leaving Holland and setting out to meet Mayflower in Southampton, England, around the end of July 1620. The Mayflower was purchased in London. The original captains were Captain Reynolds for Speedwell and Captain Christopher Jones for Mayflower. Other passengers joined the group in Southampton, including William Brewster, who had been in hiding for the better part of a year, and a group of people known to the Leiden congregation as "The Strangers." This group was largely made up of people recruited by the Merchant Adventurers to provide practical assistance to the colony and additional hands to work for the colony's ventures. The term was also used for many of the indentured servants .
What did the Pilgrims believe?
PLYMOUTH COLONY (or Plantation), the second permanent English settlement in North America, was founded in 1620 by settlers including a group of religious dissenters commonly referred to as the Pilgrims. Though theologically very similar to the Puritans who later founded the Massachusetts Bay Colony, the Pilgrims believed that the Church of England could not be reformed. Rather than attempting to purify the church, the Pilgrims desired a total separation.
Why did the Mayflower leave the Church of England?
Many of the passengers aboard the Mayflower were inspired to come to the New World in search of religious freedom. They were part of a group of Puritans known as Separatists . As Puritans, they sought to simplify the traditions and organization of the Church of England. However, unlike many of the Puritans, they decided to leave the Church of England entirely to establish an independent church. As Separatists, they were inspired to lead a fully Christian life purely according to the Bible's rules, rather than those of a church. Coming to the New World, they sought to build a community built on their Puritan values.
What was the purpose of the Virginia Company in 1620?
Virginia offered such an opportunity. By 1620 the Virginia Company was in deep financial difficulty. One of many measures designed to shore up the company's financial situation was selling special patents to settlers who desired to establish private plantations within Virginia. Though under Virginia's general domain, the Pilgrims would be allowed to govern themselves. Thomas Weston and a group of London merchants who wanted to enter the colonial trade financed the Pilgrims' expedition. The two parties came to agreement in July 1620, with the Pilgrims and merchants being equal partners.
Where did the pilgrims go on their voyage?
The Pilgrims sold most of their possessions in Leyden and purchased a ship—the Speedwell —to take them to Southampton, England. Weston hired another ship—the Mayflower —to join the Speedwell on the voyage to America. On 22 July 1620 a group of about thirty Pilgrims left Delfshaven, Holland, and arrived in Southampton by month's end. They met the Mayflower, which carried about seventy non-Separatists hired by Weston to journey to America as laborers. After a great deal of trouble with the Speedwell, the ship had to be abandoned, and only the Mayflower left Plymouth, England, for America on 16 September 1620. The overcrowded and poorly provisioned ship carried 101 people (35 from Leyden, 66 from London/Southampton) on a sixty-five day passage. The travelers sighted Cape Cod in November and quickly realized they were not arriving in Virginia. Prevented from turning south by the rocky coast and failing winds, the voyagers agreed to settle in the north. Exploring parties were sent into Plymouth harbor in the first weeks of December, and the Mayflower finally dropped anchor there on 26 December 1620. The weary, sickly passengers gradually came ashore to build what would become Plymouth Colony.
How many pilgrims were there on the Mayflower?
On 22 July 1620 a group of about thirty Pilgrims left Delfshaven, Holland, and arrived in Southampton by month's end. They met the Mayflower, which carried about seventy non-Separatists hired by Weston to journey to America as laborers.
How many people did the Mayflower carry?
The overcrowded and poorly provisioned ship carried 101 people (35 from Leyden, 66 from London/Southampton) on a sixty-five day passage.
When did the Mayflower drop anchor?
Exploring parties were sent into Plymouth harbor in the first weeks of December, and the Mayflower finally dropped anchor there on 26 December 1620 . The weary, sickly passengers gradually came ashore to build what would become Plymouth Colony.
Where did the Mayflower come to anchor?
He was the first English child born in New England. In mid-December, the explorers went ashore at a location across Cape Cod Bay where they found cleared fields and plentiful running water, and they named the site Plymouth. The expedition returned to Provincetown, and on December 21 the Mayflower came to anchor in Plymouth harbor. Two days later, the pilgrims began work on dwellings that would shelter them through their difficult first winter in America.
What was the Mayflower Compact?
Along the way, the settlers formulated and signed the Mayflower Compact, an agreement that bound the signatories into a “civil body politic.” Because it established constitutional law and the rule of the majority, the compact is regarded as an important precursor to American democracy. After a 66-day voyage, the ship landed on November 21 at the tip of Cape Cod at what is now Provincetown, Massachusetts.
Where did the Mayflower sail?
On September 16, the Mayflower departed Plymouth, England, bound for the New World with 102 passengers. The ship was headed for Virginia, where the colonists—half religious dissenters and half entrepreneurs—had been authorized to settle by the British crown. In a difficult Atlantic crossing, the 90-foot Mayflower encountered rough seas and storms and was blown more than 500 miles off course.
What village did the pilgrims choose to live in?
The pilgrims decide to sail further south and arrive in Plymouth that evening. ♦ On December 20, The pilgrims choose an abandoned Wampanoag village, called Patuxet, for their new home. ♦ On December 21, Richard Bitteridge dies.
What was the first colony in Massachusetts?
Plymouth Colony was the first official colony in Massachusetts. It was settled by a group of Separatist Puritans from England in 1620. Many historic events took place at Plymouth Colony, such as the First Thanksgiving in 1621 when the pilgrims held a harvest celebration and invited the local Wampanoag tribe to the feast.
When did the Plymouth colonists rescue Squanto?
August 1621: ♦ On August 14, Myles Standish and a handful of Plymouth colonists embark on a rescue mission to save Squanto after he was taken prisoner by a local native tribe. The colonists find Squanto unharmed and bring him back to Plymouth. September – October 1621:
When did the pilgrims meet the Wampanoag?
He tells them about Squanto and the other natives and arranges a meeting for them. ♦ Squanto, Massosoit and the other Wampanoag meet the pilgrims about four or five days later. April 1621: ♦ On April 1, Plymouth colonists form an alliance with the Wampanoag and sign the Pilgrim-Wampanoag treaty.
What happened in 1630?
September 1630: ♦ On September 30, 1630, Plymouth colonist John Billington is hanged for murdering a fellow colonist John Newcomen. it is the first official execution in the North American colonies. October 1630: ♦ The Handmaid arrives in Plymouth with 60 new colonists.
Where did the Mayflower sail?
The Mayflower departs Plymouth, England and sets sail for the New World. Map of Plymouth Colony 1620-1691. November 1620: ♦ On November 6, William Butten dies of illness on board the Mayflower. ♦ Ellen More dies of illness on board the Mayflower. ♦ On November 9, the Mayflower passengers spot Cape Cod.
When did the Speedwell begin leaking?
August 1620: ♦ On August 5, 1620, the two ships set sail for the New World but the Speedwell begins leaking again and pulls into Dartmouth on August 12 for repairs. ♦ On August 21, 1620, the two ships set sail again but the Speedwell begins leaking again and both ships return to Plymouth, England. September 1620: ...
What is the Plymouth Colony?
Between 1620 to 1691 the English explorers formed a colony in America called the Plymouth Colony. It is sometimes spelled as Plimouth Colony.
What was the second English colony to become a successful colony?
After Jamestown in Virginia, the Plymouth Colony was the second English venture that became successful in America. The Chief of Wampanoag called Massasoit played a key role in successfully establishing a treaty between the settlers and the native tribes. A member of the Patuxet tribe called Squanto also helped them out.
What was the first document that the colonists wrote?
To solve this problem, the colonists wrote their first official document called the Mayflower Compact while they were still on board.
Why was the departure from Southampton delayed?
The departure from Southampton was delayed for a few more days because the Merchant Adventurers and the settlers couldn’t agree on a few terms.
Why did the Merchant Adventurers recruit strangers?
The Merchant Adventurers had recruited ‘the strangers’ to help the colonists prepare for the journey and the founding of the colony.
Where is Thanksgiving rooted?
The American festival of Thanksgiving is rooted in the history of the Plymouth Colony. The Plymouth Rock marks the site where the Pilgrims disembarked from the Mayflower Voyage.
What happened to the ship when the main beam bent and cracked?
The structural integrity of the ship was severely compromised when the main beam bent and cracked.
Why is Plymouth spelled "P-l-i-m-o-t-h"?
Museum guests often question the unusual spelling of Plymouth in Plimoth Patuxet. Plimoth is an old-fashioned spelling used by Governor William Bradford within his history of the colony, Of Plymouth Plantation. This spelling was adopted to differentiate the Museum from the modern town of Plymouth. There were no rules for the spelling of English words in the early 17th century, and each writer did as he or she pleased, phonetically spelling the word as seemed fit – sometimes differently on a single page. Plymouth is spelled a number of ways in colonial documents, including Plymouth, Plimouth, Plymoth, and Plimoth. When Plimoth Plantation was founded, it was decided to use Governor Bradford's most common usage, Plimoth.
Will there be costumed children in the 17th-Century English Village?
Occasionally. On weekends and during the summer, children of staff members sometimes portray children who lived in Plymouth.
What happens when the weather is bad?
The Museum sites are open through almost all weather extremes. (We have been known to close early because of a hurricane or two.) Please dress appropriately for the weather, and you should have an enjoyable time.
Did the English colonists call themselves Pilgrims?
The English colonists did not specifically label themselves in the letters, books and documents they wrote. Sometimes they referred to themselves as Planters (colonial farmers) to distinguish themselves from the Adventurers (men and women who financed the colony).
Why do we call the English colonists Pilgrims?
The word “pilgrim” was used once in the surviving writings of the early colonists. More than 20 years after the arrival of Mayflower, William Bradford wrote about the church's departure from Leiden, Holland to America. Referring to Scripture, as he often did, he wrote; "they knew they were pilgrims ," in reference to Hebrews xi.13-16. Then, as now, a pilgrim is someone on a journey with a religious or moral purpose.
What does "they knew they were pilgrims" mean?
Referring to Scripture, as he often did, he wrote; "they knew they were pilgrims ," in reference to Hebrews xi.13-16. Then, as now, a pilgrim is someone on a journey with a religious or moral purpose. Bradford did not repeat the reference nor did he use "Pilgrim" as a label or title for the English in Plymouth Colony.
What is the Plymouth colony?
Plymouth Colony comes to life in our recreation of early Plymouth, complete with timber-framed houses furnished with reproductions of the types of objects that the Pilgrims* owned, aromatic kitchen gardens, and heritage breeds livestock. Spend some time exploring! When you encounter someone wearing historical clothing, they are playing the role of an actual inhabitant of Plymouth Colony. They will talk about historical events and lifeways as if they are happening in the present, and will express their hopes, fears and viewpoints. Modern-day guides will help you better understand the 1600s.
Why did the Leyden congregation leave Holland?
Members of the Leyden congregation ultimately made the decision to leave Holland, but they were uncertain in choosing a new place for habitation. They could not return to England for the same reasons that had forced their exile into Holland twelve years before. It appears that English America was the closest possible substitute for Old England, and they would be free to worship as they saw fit. In their struggle for a new residence, many of the group expressed a new desire "of laying some good foundation . . . for the propagation and advancing the gospel of the kingdom of Christ in those remote parts of the world . . ." (Bradford 1981: 26). This notion was significant and remained a motivation for English emigration into New England for decades to come.
What is the problem with archaeological investigations of early Plymouth Plantation?
. ." (Noel Hume 1969: 23). However, finding a site is not always an easy task, especially if it is in an urban environment and has been continuously occupied since its settlement by European colonizers, such as New Plymouth . The remainder of this paper will therefore be spent in reviewing the past research and reinterpreting the historical sources in order to shed light on the possible whereabouts of the initial settlement and fortification of New Plymouth as well as what it may have looked like.
What was the purpose of the nineteenth century research?
Much of the nineteenth century research was aimed at interpreting and describing the physical aspects of Plymouth Plantation, such as its appearance as well as its location and orientation. In this line of research, one of the major works of the time is William T. Davis's Ancient Landmarks of Plymouth.
What did Bradford write about Plymouth Plantation?
Weston and others, that sundry Honourable Lords had obtained a large grant from the King for the more northerly parts of that country . . . to be called by another name, viz., New England.
How to understand the mindset of the emigrants known today as the Pilgrims?
In order to understand the mindset of the emigrants known today as the Pilgrims as well as their motives for colonization, we must first examine their system of beliefs. One can hardly conduct research into the history of New England without first realizing the extent and importance of its Puritan roots.
What did the Puritans want from the Church of England?
The Puritans wanted to reorganize and simplify the Anglican Church, thus making corruption within the Church less likely. They recognized only the sacraments of Baptism and Communion and preferred a body of church elders to the conventional Church hierarchy (Bradford 1981: x). "They wanted, above all, to return to a simpler church and to regain that passionate intensity that comes with true conversion" (Bradford 1981: xi).
When did New Plymouth become a township?
Introduction. In late December of 1620, one hundred and two men, women, and children began to establish the second English permanent settlement in the New World. They christened their plantation New Plymouth after their last port of call in England. Within the next few decades, New Plymouth gave rise to numerous townships and communities in ...
Journey to The New World
The First Thanksgiving
- In the Fall of 1621, the Pilgrims famously shared a harvest feast with the Pokanokets; the meal is now considered the basis for the Thanksgivingholiday. It took place over three days between late September and mid-November and included feasting as well as games and military exercises. Most of the attendees at the first Thanksgiving were men; 78 percent of the women who travele…
The Mayflower Compact
- All the adult males aboard the Mayflower had signed the so-called Mayflower Compact, a document that would become the foundation of Plymouth’s government. It was written after a near mutiny on board the Mayflower. Forty-one of the Mayflower’s 102 passengers were Pilgrims, separatists seeking religious freedom who referred to the rest of the travelers as “strangers.” Th…
Governor William
- William Bradford(1590-1657) was a leader of the Separatist congregation, a key framer of the Mayflower Compact, and Plymouth’s governor for 30 years after its founding. He is credited with drafting major parts of Plymouth’s legal code and creating a community focused on religious tolerance and an economy centered on private agriculture. READ MORE: 7 Famous Mayflower D…
Growth and Decline of The Plymouth Colony
- With peace secured thanks to Squanto, the colonists in Plymouth were able to concentrate on building a viable settlement for themselves rather than spend their time and resources guarding themselves against attack. Squanto taught them how to plant corn, which became an important crop, as well as where to fish and hunt beaver. Though Plymouth would never develop as robust …
Plymouth Plantation
- Today, the original colony of Plymouth is a living museum, a recreation of the original seventeenth-century village. Visitors can taste colonial food, see a restored Mayflower II and attend reenactments of the first Thanksgiving, when the Wampanaogs joined the settlers to celebrate the autumn harvest.
Overview
Plymouth Colony (sometimes Plimouth) was an English colonial venture in America from 1620 to 1691 at a location that had previously been surveyed and named by Captain John Smith. The settlement served as the capital of the colony and developed as the town of Plymouth, Massachusetts. At its height, Plymouth Colony occupied most of the southeastern portion of Massachusetts.
History
Plymouth Colony was founded by a group of English Puritans who came to be known as the Pilgrims. The core group (roughly 40% of the adults and 56% of the family groupings) were part of a congregation led by William Bradford. They began to feel the pressures of religious persecution while still in the English village of Scrooby, near East Retford, Nottinghamshire. In 1607, Archbishop Tob…
Life
The most important religious figure in the colony was John Robinson, an original pastor of the Scrooby congregation and religious leader of the separatists throughout the Leiden years. He never actually set foot in New England, but many of his theological pronouncements shaped the nature and character of the Plymouth church. For example, Robinson stated that women and men have dif…
Government and laws
Plymouth Colony did not have a royal charter authorizing it to form a government, yet some means of governance was needed. The Mayflower Compact was the colony's first governing document, signed by the 41 Puritan men aboard the Mayflower upon their arrival in Provincetown Harbor on November 21, 1620. Formal laws were not codified until 1636. The colony's la…
Geography
Without a clear land patent for the area, the settlers settled without a charter to form a government and, as a result, it was often unclear in the early years what land was under the colony's jurisdiction. In 1644, "The Old Colony Line"—which had been surveyed in 1639—was formally accepted as the boundary between Massachusetts Bay and Plymouth.
Demographics
The settlers of Plymouth Colony fit broadly into three categories: Pilgrims, Strangers, and Particulars. The Pilgrims were a Puritan group who closely followed the teachings of John Calvin, like the later founders of Massachusetts Bay Colony to the north. (The difference was that the Massachusetts Bay Puritans hoped to reform the Anglican church from within, whereas the Pilgrims saw it as a morally defunct organization and removed themselves from it.) The name "P…
Economy
The largest source of wealth for Plymouth Colony was the fur trade. The disruption of this trade caused by Myles Standish's raid at Wessagussett created great hardship for the colonists for many years and was directly cited by William Bradford as a contributing factor to the economic difficulties in their early years. The colonists attempted to supplement their income by fishing; the waters in Cape Cod bay were known to be excellent fisheries. However, they lacked any skill in t…
Legacy
The events surrounding the founding and history of Plymouth Colony have had a lasting effect on the art, traditions, mythology, and politics of the United States of America, despite its short history of fewer than 72 years.
The earliest artistic depiction of the Pilgrims was actually done before their arrival in America; Dutch painter Adam Willaerts painted a portrait of their depar…
Settlement, Founding, and Growth
- One hundred and twenty-five Pilgrims, some of whom founded Plymouth, first departed England in 1608. English authorities had forced the Pilgrims to halt Separatist worship at Scrooby Manor (their residence in Nottinghamshire, England). Thus, seeking freedom of worship, they left for Holland, first passing through Amsterdam and then settling in Leyden. The Pilgrims did indeed e…
Government and Politics
- Since the Pilgrims did not settle in Virginia, their patent was worthless, and they established Plymouth without any legal underpinning. Needing to formulate some kind of legal frame for the colony's government, the Pilgrims crafted the Mayflower Compact, in which the signers agreed to institute colonial self-government. The ship's free adult men signed the compact on 11 Novemb…
Economy and Society
- Plymouth was intended for family settlement and commerce, not staple production or resource extraction like many other colonies. The Pilgrims, bound together by their faith and social covenant, envisioned building a self-sustaining agricultural community that would be a refuge for Separatist dissenters. Thus life in Plymouth revolved around family ...
Indian Relations
- The colonists were extremely vulnerable during the first winter, and could have been annihilated had the Indians attacked. The first face-to-face meeting, however, was peaceful. In March 1620 an English-speaking Wampanoag—Samoset—approached Plymouth, and provided useful information about local geography and peoples. On 22 March 1621 Pilgrim leaders met with the Wampanoa…
Plymouth's Demise
- Metacom's War piqued the crown's already growing interest in the New England colonies, and thereafter it set out to bring them directly under royal control. Massachusetts's charter was revoked in 1684, and in 1686 James II consolidated all of New England, plus New York and New Jersey, into one viceroyalty known as the "Dominion of New England." Assemblies were abolishe…
Bibliography
- Bradford, William. History of Plymouth Plantation, 1620–1647. Edited by Samuel Eliot Morison. New York: Russell and Russell, 1968. Deetz, James, and Patricia Scott Deetz. The Times of Their Lives: Life, Love, and Death in Plymouth Colony.New York: W. H. Freeman, 2000. Demos, John. A Little Commonwealth: Family Life in Plymouth Colony. 2d ed. Oxford: Oxford UniversityPress, 20…