The Pilgrim story

“Our harvest being gotten in, our governor sent four men on fowling, that so we might after a special manner, rejoice together after we had gathered the fruits of our labors. These four, in one day, killed as much fowl as, with a little help besides, served the company almost a week. At which time, amongst other recreations, we exercised our arms, many of the Indians coming amongst us, and among the rest their greatest king Massasoit with some ninety men, whom for three days we entertained and feasted;[12] and they went out and killed five deer, which they brought to the plantation and bestowed on our governor, and upon the captain and others.”

The quotations in the few preceding paragraphs are from Bradford’s history, and, more especially from Winslow’s letter to a friend in England. This letter was sent when the Fortune made its return voyage. It further stated that since their arrival in the new country in spite of their reduced numbers, they had succeeded in building seven dwelling-houses and four for the use of the Plantation; that they had made friends with the Indians in the immediate vicinity and that they “walked as peacefully and safely in the woods as in the highways in England.”

It is presumable that this letter was inspired, at least in part by the letter from Mr. Weston which had arrived with the Fortune. Weston was one of the Adventurers who had helped to finance the Plymouth colony. His letter which follows is cold and unsympathetic and according to both Bradford and Winslow he seems to have been a man of questionable sincerity as his unsuccessful attempt to establish a rival colony at Weymouth might indicate.

Weston’s letter said in part:—“That you sent no lading in the ship is wonderful, and worthily distasted. I know your weakness was the cause of it, and I believe more weakness of judgment than weakness of hands. A quarter of the time you have spent in discoursing, arguing and consulting, would have done much more. If you mean, bona fide, to perform the conditions agreed upon, do us the favor to copy them out fair, and subscribe them with the principal of your names. And likewise give us account as particularly as you can how our moneys were laid out. And consider that the life of the business depends on the lading of this ship.” etc.

If Weston had been acquainted with the condition of the Plymouth colony, their great depletion and hardships the first winter (and it is reasonable to suppose that he was, upon the return of the Mayflower) his letter seems unnecessarily harsh and unjust. It was addressed to Mr. Carver, the news of whose death had not yet reached England.

Governor Bradford’s letter in reply to which he added an itemized accounting, follows in part. His dignified reproof, his presentation of conditions obtaining in the colony, the extenuating circumstances, I think the reader will agree cannot reasonably be omitted from this brief chronicle.

Bradford’s Letter

“Sir: Your large letter written to Mr. Carver, and dated the 6 of July, 1621, I have received the 10 of November, wherein (after the apology made for yourself) you lay many imputations upon him and us all. Touching him, he is departed this life, and now is at rest in the Lord from all those troubles and incumbencies with which we are yet to strive. He needs not my apology; for his care and pains were so great for the common good, both ours and yours, as that therewith (it is thought) he oppressed himself and shortened his days; of whose loss we cannot sufficiently complain. At great charges in this adventure, I confess you have been, and many losses may sustain; but the loss of his and many other honest and industrious men’s lives, cannot be valued at any price. Of the one, there may be hope of recovery, but the other no recompence can make good. But I will not insist in generals but come more particularly to the things themselves. You greatly blame us for keeping the ship so long in the country, and then to send her away empty. She lay 5 weeks at Cape Cod, whilst with many a weary step (after a long journey) and the endurance of many a hard brunt, we sought out in the hard winter a place of habitation. Then we went in so tedious a time to make provision to shelter us and our goods, about which labor, many of our arms and legs can tell us to this day we were not negligent. But it pleased God to visit us then, with death daily, and with so general a disease, that the living were scarce able to bury the dead; and the well not in any measure sufficient to tend the sick. And now to be so greatly blamed, for not freighting the ship, doth indeed go near us, and much discourage us. But you say you know we will pretend weakness; and do you think we had not cause? Yes, you tell us you believe it, but it was more weakness of judgement than of hands. Our weakness herein is great we confess, therefore we will bear this check patiently amongst the rest, till God send us wiser men. But they which told you we spent so much time in discoursing and consulting, etc., their hearts can tell their tongues they lie. They cared not, so they might salve their own sores, how they wounded others. Indeed, it is our calamity that we are (beyond expectation) yoked with some ill-conditioned people, who will never do good, but corrupt and abuse others, etc.”

Unfortunately the Fortune on her return was overhauled by French pirates and all her cargo of value taken. Robert Cushman, who was aboard on his return to England, later wrote “By God’s providence we got well home the 17th[13] of February. Being robbed by the Frenchmen by the way, and carried by them into France, and were kept there 15 days and lost all that we had that was worth taking; but thanks be to God, we escaped with our lives and ship.”

CHAPTER VIII

Indian Trouble

After the departure of the Fortune the Plymouth colony faced a serious situation. Their provisions were not sufficient to meet the demands of their suddenly increased numbers and the threat of attack hovered over their little community.

The Narragansetts were not friendly with Massasoit and they resented the intrusion of the white settlers. Their chief Canonicus by way of warning sent a bundle of arrows wrapped in snake skin to which the Governor replied by returning the skin with bullets wrapped therein, together with the admonition that if they would prefer war to peace, they “could begin when they would.” They however took the precaution to strengthen their defences and the settlement was “impaled round by the beginning of March.”

Captain Standish had, in the meantime, on advice of the Governor, divided his small forces into “four squadrons and every one had their quarter appointed unto which they were to repair upon any sudden alarm. And, if there should be any cry of fire, a company were appointed for a guard, with muskets, while others quenched the same, to prevent Indian treachery.”

In May the Sparrow, a fishing vessel, arrived bringing seven more passengers. In July two more vessels, the Charity, and the Swan, belonging to Mr. Weston, arrived with about sixty men who were left at the Plymouth settlement. They remained there through the summer when, upon the return of one of Weston’s ships from Virginia, they were transferred to Weymouth, their original destination.

These ships had brought the information that Mr. Weston had withdrawn from the Merchant Adventurers and had acquired a patent to land in the vicinity of Massachusetts Bay, that the men sent over were destined therefore, that they were a rough lot and, according to a letter from Mr. Cushman “were no men for them.” They were, however, as well provided for as the circumstances under this added burden and their strained supply of provisions would permit, until their removal to the Weymouth Colony.

After their departure and when the supply of food was well nigh exhausted, a fishing vessel came into the harbor, from which they were able to secure a small supply of provisions that helped sustain them until the next harvest. This vessel also brought report of the Indian massacre in Virginia.

It was during the succeeding weeks that the fort was built on the hill (Burial Hill). As Bradford says, “This summer they built a fort of good timber both strong and comely, which was of good defence, made with a flat roof and battlements on which their ordinance were mounted and where they kept constant watch, especially in time of danger. It served them also for a meeting-house and was fitted accordingly for that use. It was a great work for them in this weakness and time of wants; but the danger of the time required it, and both the continual rumors of the fears from the Indians here, especially the Narragansetts, and also the hearing of that great massacre in Virginia, made all hands willing to despatch the same.”

The next harvest turned out to be a poor one owing partly to their weakened condition and to other necessary work that they were called upon to do. But again Providence came to the rescue. Another ship, the Discovery, Captain Jones (Not Captain Christopher Jones of the Mayflower) came into the harbor. She had been sent out from England to “discover all the harbors between this and Virginia and the sholes of Cape Cod and to trade along the coast where they could.”

From this ship they obtained articles which they in turn were able to exchange with the Indians for corn which they sorely needed and for beaver skins to apply to their obligations to the Adventurers.

The Swan, having been left by Mr. Weston at Weymouth and the colony there being destitute of provisions, arrangement was made with the Plymouth Colony to join them in a trading expedition along the Cape. This was made under the direction of Governor Bradford who went with them, taking Squanto as guide. At Chatham Squanto was stricken with fever and died, wherein they sustained a great loss. They succeeded in getting “about 26 or 28 hogsheads of corn and beans from the Indians,” after which “the Governor took a few men and went to the inland places, to get what he could, and to fetch it home at the spring, which did help them something.”

The Plymouth Colony had been warned as to the type of men who composed the Weymouth Colony. As it turned out, they were constantly fomenting discord with the Indians and some even went so far as betray the friendship of their Plymouth neighbors. They were repeatedly in want of food and other supplies although having been at first well provided.

Bradford states: “Many sold their clothes and bed coverings; others (so base were they) became servants to the Indians and would cut them wood and fetch them water for a cap full of corn; others fell to plain stealing, both night and day from the Indians, of which they grievously complained.”

About this time word came that their friend Massasoit was gravely ill. Following the Indian custom, Edward Winslow, together with one John Hamden, with Hobomock for guide, went to his aid and through their ministrations he recovered.

From Massasoit they learned of the conspiracy among the Indians which had spread to the Cape Indians and which he had been unable to stop. This conspiracy engendered by the treatment of the Indians by the Weston colony provided that the colony should be wiped out and that the Plymouth colony being likely to seek revenge, should also be exterminated.

“He advised them therefore to prevent it, and that speedily, by taking of some of the chief of them, before it was too late, for, he assured them of the truth thereof.”

Whereupon, this news reaching Plymouth, Captain Myles Standish set out with eight men for Weymouth where he “found them in miserable condition.” The Indians were openly defiant and insulting. The meeting resulted in the killing of several Indians including a large brave named Pecksuot whom Captain Standish killed in hand to hand combat. Those who remained of the Weston colony thought it best to take their leave and in the Swan sailed away for the fishing grounds off the coast of Maine provisioned with corn from the scanty store remaining with Standish. Thus the Weston colony came to end.

Weston returning later, fell into the hands of the Indians who stripped him of his belongings and reduced him to such extent that he appealed to the Plymouth Colony for help. They gave him a generous supply of beaver skins which he was able to exchange for supplies from the other vessels along the coast which was “the only foundation for his future course.”

CHAPTER IX

Consolidation

Again the colony was facing a shortage of food and ways and means were discussed for raising larger and better crops. This brought about a change of the policy which had been imposed upon them in the last clause of their contract with the Merchant Adventurers. It was a practical repudiation of a policy that destroyed individual initiative. It is expressed in Bradford’s own words as follows:—“So they began to think how they might raise as much corn as they could and obtain a better crop than they had done. At length, after much debate of things, the Governor (with the advice of the chief amongst them) gave way that they should set corn every man for his own and in that regard, trust to themselves. And so assigned to every family a parcel of land according to a proportion of their number for that end. This had very good success, for it made all hands very industrious, so as much more corn was planted than otherwise would have been. The women now went willingly into the field, which before would allege weakness and inability; whom to have compelled, would have been thought great tyranny and oppression.”

“The experience that was had in this common course and condition, tried sundry years, and that amongst godly and sober men, may well evince the vanity of that conceit of Plato and other ancients, applauded by some of later time; that the taking away of property and bringing in community into a commonwealth, would make them happy and flourishing as if they were wiser than God. For this community was found to breed much confusion and discontent and retard much employment that would have been to their benefit and comfort. For the young men that were most able and fit for labor and service did repine that they should spend their time and strength to work for other men’s wives and children without any recompence. The strong had no more of victuals and clothes than he that was weak and not able to do a quarter the other could; this was thought injustice. The aged and graver men to be ranked and equalized in labor, victuals and clothes, etc., with the younger, thought it some indignity and disrespect unto them. And for men’s wives to be commanded to do service for other men, as dressing their meat, washing their clothes, etc., they deemed it a kind of slavery, neither could many husbands well brook it.”

In this way provision was made for their future needs, as “God in his wisdom saw another course fitter for them.”

Arrival of Anne and Little James

In the summer of 1623 two vessels arrived, the Anne and the Little James. They brought about a hundred additional members to the Plymouth Colony, some being the wives and children of those already here. The Anne the larger vessel, having been chartered by the Adventurers, returned on September 20th, laden with clapboards and beaver. “Mr. Winslow was sent over with her to inform of all things, and procure such things as were thought needful for their present condition.”

During the period before the harvest, the enlarged community subsisted mainly upon fish and shell fish, the latter apparently being in abundance. The one boat was used in turn by different groups that all might share in the labor in proportion to their number. An occasional deer made a welcome addition to their larder, and, as those who had lately arrived had brought provisions sufficient to sustain themselves, they were able to carry on until the new harvest.

This was evidently an abundant one, for as Bradford describes it; “By this time harvest was come, and instead of famine, now God gave them plenty, and the face of things was changed, to the rejoicing of the hearts of many, for which they blessed God. And the effect of their particular planting was well seen, for all had, one way and other, pretty well to bring the year about, and some of the abler and more industrious had to spare, and sell to others, so as any general want or famine has not been amongst them since to this day.”

The harvest under the new conditions having proved a success it was followed by an equal division of land. “And to every person was given only one acre of land, to them and theirs, as near the town as might be and they had no more until the seven years had expired. The reason was that they might be kept close together both for more safety and defence, and the better improvement of the general employments.”

Early this year, the time of election of officers having arrived and the members of the colony having increased, it was considered advisable to provide more assistance to the Governor. “The issue was, that as before there was but one assistant, they now chose 5, giving the Governor a double voice; and afterwards they increased them to 7, which course hath continued to this day.”

In the spring Edward Winslow returned from England. His mission had two objectives, viz., to acquaint the Merchant Adventurers with the exact condition of the Plymouth Colony, their progress and their needs and to obtain certain necessary supplies. He reported dissension among the English company as a result of which, one faction sent over a Mr. Lyford who with one John Oldham, who had come over in the Anne, attempted to create an unfavorable impression in their report to the Adventurers. Letters of Oldham were intercepted, and, faced with the proof of their duplicity, which they couldn’t deny, they were forced to leave the colony.

A ship-carpenter arriving on the ship with Mr. Winslow, proved of great value. He had completed the building of several small craft when he was stricken with fever. Bradford says of him: “He quickly built them 2 very good and strong shallops (which after did them great service) and a great and strong lighter, and had hewn timber for 2 catches; but that was lost, for he fell into a fever and though he had the best means the place could afford, yet he died.”

The First Cattle

An important acquisition to the colony was brought over by Mr. Winslow. This consisted of three heifers and a bull, “the first beginning of any cattle of that kind in the land.” Of the increment of this small herd, mention is made later.

Mr. Winslow, who had gone back to England in the fall of 1624 now returned. He brought a letter from some of their friends in the English company to the effect that the company was dissolved and that the agreement by which they were sharers and partners was no longer in effect and that ways and means should be devised whereby their advancements would be secured. This letter states: “Now we think it but reason, that all such things that there appertain to the general, be kept and preserved together and rather increased daily, than anyway be dispersed, and, after your necessities are served, you gather together such commodities as the company yields and send them over to pay debts and clear engagements here, which are not less than 1400 pounds.”

Two vessels had been sent over to expedite their settlement. The larger a cargo of dried fish, but because there was threat of war with France the master “neglected (through timerousness) his order and put first into Plymouth and after into Portsmouth.” This was much to their loss for the cargo “would have yielded them (as such fish was sold that season) 1800 pounds, which would have enriched them.”

The smaller vessel, the Little James, (before mentioned) with a cargo of 700 lbs. of beaver skins, was captured by a Turkish man-of-war.

Captain Standish had left on the larger vessel with letters and instructions to arrange with the Council of New England and those of the company “which still clave to them” for easier terms in their purchase of supplies and future transactions. They had sustained heavy losses although there were some redeeming offsets as: “after harvest this year, they sent out a boat’s load of corn 40 or 50 degrees to the eastward up a river called Kenebeck (Kennebec); it being one of those two shallops which their carpenter had built them the year before. God preserved them and gave them good success for they brought home 700 lbs. of beaver besides some other furs.”

In April Captain Standish returned bringing news of the death of their former pastor, John Robinson, also that of Robert Cushman who had been active in the affairs of the colony. The year thus had a cloudy beginning. They had been unsuccessful in their fishing enterprises and had turned to the intensive cultivation of corn which not only served them as a food staple but as a medium of exchange, as money they had little of.

At a time when they were in need of equipment to carry on their work to the best advantage, they heard that a plantation at Monhegan, owned by a Plymouth (England) company, of Merchants, was to “break up and divers useful goods sold.” Whereupon Governor Bradford and Mr. Winslow “took a boat and some hands and went thither.” These goods they bought in part with another party. They also acquired a “parcel of goats which they distributed at home as they saw need and occasion.”

They also obtained some rugs and other commodities from a French ship that had been cast away on the coast, all of which added to their material comfort.

They had been paying a high rate of interest to the English company and they “sent Mr. Allerton into England to make a composition upon as good terms as he could (unto which some way had been made the year before by Captain Standish) but yet enjoined him not to conclude absolutely until they knew the terms.” They also gave him a commission to secure further supplies for the colony.

Mr. Allerton returned from England with the needed supplies, also the agreement which he had affected with the remaining members of the English company. The essence of this agreement was that upon the payment of 1800 pounds, in yearly installments of 200 pounds, the Plymouth Colony would be relieved of their obligations. While this was approved by “all the plantation and consented unto” it was actually assumed by seven or eight “in behalf of the rest.”

The second allotment of land was made in January of this year, on the basis of first, that the original allotment wherein one acre was given to every person, should stand, and, second, that this, the second division, “should consist of twenty acres to every person, and to contain five in breadth and four in length; and so accordingly to be divided by lot, to every one which was to have a share therein.” There followed several provisions, one to the effect “that fowling, fishing and hunting be free.”

In May a division of cattle was made from the three cows and bull brought over in 1624 there had been a substantial increase “which arose to this proportion: a cow to six persons or shares, and two goats to the same, which were first equalized for age and goodness and then allotted for; single persons consorting with others, as they thought good and smaller families likewise; and swine though more in number, yet by the same rule.”

Mr. Allerton was again sent to England with power to conclude the contract previously alluded to, with certain provisions. These provisions, while still obligating “William Bradford, Captain Myles Standish, Isaac Allerton, etc.” in the performance thereof, gave them a tangible means of securing themselves. They also sent “what beaver skins they could spare to pay some of their engagements and to defray his charge.” He was also authorized to “procure a patent for a fit trading place in the river of Kenebeck.” He was to express further the hope that their friends in Leyden might join them, in which case “they should thankfully accept of their love and partnership herein.”

Early in the spring of 1628 Mr. Allerton returned with the report that he had effected an arrangement whereby: “William Bradford, Governor of Plymouth in N. E., in America, Isaac Allerton, Myles Standish, William Brewster and Ed. Winslow of Plymouth, aforesaid, merchants, do by these presents for us and in our names, make, substitute and appoint James Sherley, Goldsmith, and John Beachamp, Salter, citizens of London, our true and lawful agents, factors, substitutes and assignees,” etc., etc.

He also brought a “reasonable supply of goods for the plantation and without those great interests as before is noted.” And he “had settled things in a good and hopeful way.”

He had obtained a patent for a trading post at Kennebec, “but it was so ill bounded, as they were fain to renew and enlarge it the next year.”

It developed that Mr. Allerton had been taking advantage of his opportunity in his visits to England, to trade on his own account thus acquiring the profit that should by right, go to the company. These transactions were first overlooked for he had been of “good and faithful service.”

About this time trading was inaugurated with the Dutch of New Amsterdam who had previously approached the Plymouth colony with that end in view. It was during this period that wampum was developed, both as a commodity and as a medium of exchange.

The Wollaston Incident

The life of the colony was broken by some disquieting incidents. From the settlements at Wollaston (now a part of Quincy) came reports of trouble. Captain Wollaston, the founder of this colony, had departed for Virginia with some of his retainers, leaving one Fitcher to govern in his place. Among those of his party left behind was a Thomas Morton who, “having more craft than honesty, persuaded them to ‘thrust out Fitcher.’” Whereupon, “they fell to great licentiousness and Morton became lord of misrule and maintained (as it were) a school of Atheism.” They erected a Maypole around which they drank and danced. They furnished firearms to the Indians and the means of moulding shot; they danced and caroused, inviting Indian women for their consorts. This went on until the more ordered among them appealed to Plymouth to “suppress Morton and his consorts before they grew to further head and strength.”

Two letters of remonstrance to Morton having been received with insolence and defiance, Captain Standish was called into action and proceeded with some others to take Morton by force. This they did after a show of resistance. He had “made fast his doors, armed his consorts, set divers dishes of powder and bullets ready on the table; and, if they had not been over armed with drink, more hurt might have been done. At length, fearing that they would do some violence to the house, he and some of his crew came out, not to yield but to shoot. But they were so steeled with drink their pieces were too heavy for them and one was so drunk that he ran his nose upon the point of a sword.” Morton was taken to Plymouth and later sent to England, together with a report of his conduct to the Council of New England.

In 1629 the colony received thirty-five additional members from the Leyden Congregation. They arrived with John Endicott and his company at Salem on the ship Mayflower (not the same Mayflower that had brought the Pilgrims to Plymouth). A charter had been granted to Endicott for territory in and around Massachusetts Bay. A letter came at this time from John Sherley addressed to Governor Bradford to the effect that “Mr. Beachamp and myself, with Mr. Andrews and Mr. Hatherly, are, with your love and liking, joined partners with you.” etc.

On the 13th of January of this year a patent was granted to William Bradford and Associates. This enlarged the original grant and included territory on the Kennebec river where a trading post had already been established. This patent, bearing the signature of the Earl of Warwick, was later transferred to the Colony and is now in the Registry of Deeds at Plymouth.

The First Settled Minister

The first settled minister was Ralph Smith, a graduate of Cambridge University, England, who had come with his family to the Massachusetts Bay Colony. He arrived in Plymouth in 1629 and served as minister until 1636. He was succeeded by John Rayner, a graduate of Magdalen College, who continued his ministry until 1654.

During Mr. Smith’s incumbency it is probable that services were held in both the Fort on Burial Hill and the Common House on what is now Leyden Street as the first meeting-house which faced Town Square was not built until 1637.

In May, 1630, the colony was further augmented by the arrival of “16 or 18” more of their Leyden brethren who had come to Boston with John Winthrop and his company. These arrivals, while welcome, increased the financial burden now resting heavily upon the shoulders of those who had assumed the obligations.

First Capital Offence

This year John Billington, the elder who had before been charged with minor offences, was tried and executed for murder. “He was arraigned by both grand and petit jury” and “found guilty of willful murder by plain and notorious evidence.”

Their Obligations Increase

Having become dissatisfied with the way the affairs of the colony were being conducted in England, Mr. Winslow was sent over to effect an accounting while Mr. Allerton was discharged.

It developed that while the indebtedness of 1800 pounds previously assumed had been reduced to 1000 pounds, subsequent transactions engaged in by Mr. Allerton had increased their obligations by 4700 pounds. While it appears that Allerton had used the opportunity he enjoyed for his personal gain, the attitude of the Plymouth Colony toward him was one of generosity as shown by the following: “It is like, though Mr. Allerton might think not to wrong the plantation in the main, yet his own gain and private ends led him aside in these things; for it came to be known, and I have it in a letter under Mr. Sherley’s hand, that in the first 2 or 3 years of his employment, he had cleared up 400 pounds and put it in a brewhouse in London, at first under Mr. Shirley’s name, etc.”

While the colony assumed this added burden of indebtedness, their income seems to have increased likewise. “The Lord prospered their trading” and “they made yearly large returns.” Cattle and corn increased in value and thus encouraged “there was no longer holding them together, but now they must of necessity, go to their great lots; they could not otherwise keep their cattle, and, having oxen grown, they must have land for plowing and tillage.”

The influx into the Massachusetts Bay colony gave impulse to this movement and to the increase in the price of cattle and products of the plantations. It resulted in the establishments of settlements where the quality of the soil encouraged cultivation. Thus the nucleus of future towns began to appear with separate places of worship, in the territory both to the north and south of Plymouth.

Roger Williams

Roger Williams, who had come from the Massachusetts Bay colony to Plymouth, was born in Wales and matriculated at Pembroke College, Cambridge. Historians differ somewhat as to his teachings and practice. Perhaps Bradford understood him best. Let him speak: “Mr. Roger Williams (a man godly and zealous, having many precious parts, but very unsettled in judgment) came over first to Massachusetts, but upon some discontent, left the place and came hither (where he was friendly entertained, according to their poor ability) and exercised his gifts amongst them, and after some time was admitted a member of the church: and his teaching well approved, for the benefit whereof I still bless God, and am thankful to him, even for his sharpest admonitions and reproofs, so far as they agree with truth. He this year began to fall into some strange opinions, and from opinion to practice; which caused some controversy between part, by occasion whereof he left them something abruptly.” etc.

Winslow Elected Governor

This year Edward Winslow was elected Governor. He was re-elected in 1634-1636-1638-1644, William Bradford serving from 1621 until his death in 1657 with the exception of these five years.

Trading was now begun on the Connecticut river and a post established there.

The Colony was attacked by an epidemic which took over twenty lives, including that of Samuel Fuller, their physician and surgeon who “had been a great help and comfort to them.”

In 1636 owing to the growth of the original plantation and the establishments of separate settlements at Scituate and Duxbury, the purely democratic rule which had obtained under the Mayflower Compact, wherein matters pertaining to the interests of the colony were settled in general assembly, was superseded by a law passed providing for government by deputies representing the several towns.

In 1639 the first legislative body brought together representatives from the towns of Sandwich, Barnstable, Yarmouth, Taunton, Scituate, Duxbury and Plymouth. Thus we have representative government in its formative state.

Boundaries Established

In 1640 the boundaries of the Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay colonies were established. In the several patents there had been some overlapping of territory. This resulted in considerable controversy. “The Court of Massachusetts appointed some to range their lines according to the bounds of their patent, and (as they went to work) they made it to take in all Scituate and I know not how much more. Again, on the other hand, according to the line of the patent of this place, it would take in Hingham and much more within their bounds.”

After much discussion it was finally settled on the 9th of April and subscribed to by William Bradford and Edward Winslow for Plymouth and John Endicott and Israell Stoughton for Massachusetts Bay.

The death of William Brewster occurred early in 1643. Bradford speaks of him in endearing terms: “I am to begin this year with that which was a matter of great sadness and mourning unto them all. About the 18th of April died my dear and loving friend, Mr. William Brewster, a man who had done and suffered much for the Lord Jesus and the gospels sake and had borne his part in well and woe with this poor persecuted church above 36 years, in England, Holland and in this wilderness and done the Lord and them faithful service in his place and calling.” etc.

New England Confederacy

Due to the plottings of the Narragansetts and what seemed to be a general Indian conspiracy against the English settlers, it was decided to form an alliance with Connecticut for mutual protection. This is recorded in the Plymouth records as of June 6th, 1643, as follows: “It is ordered and concluded by the Court that Mr. Edward Winslow and Mr. William Collyer shall have full Commission and Authority in Name of the whole Court to subscribe the Articles of Confederation (now read in the Court) with the Massachusetts, Connecticut and New Haven and to subscribe the same in name of the whole and to affix thereto the common seal of the Government.” (sic.)—Plymouth records, Hazard’s Historical Collection. Volume 1. p. 496.

Shortly thereafter a final liquidation of the obligations of the Plymouth Colony to their English partners and associates was effected. This was based upon Articles of Agreement made and signed on October 15th, 1641,[14] by “John Atwode[15] (Atwood), William Bradford, Edward Winslow, etc.”—Page 452, Bradford’s History of The Plymouth Plantation.

In the face of the adversities that had beset them from the beginning and from which they were never entirely free, this seems a noteworthy achievement.

In 1649 the Town of Plymouth made choice of “seven discreet men whose duty it was to act in behalf of the town in disposing of lands; to make inquiry into the state and condition of the poor, to provide for their comfortable support and to find them employment; to direct to the proper means of relief for the aged and decrepid; and to attend to the affairs of the town generally.”

The foregoing together with a law passed in 1665 extended the functions of the board, “a group which may well have been the forerunner of our present Board of Selectmen.”

Conclusion

It would be interesting to follow in detail the development of the Plymouth Colony and its gradual transition from the primitive settlement to the flourishing shire town of the county. But this is a Pilgrim story and the writer bows to the limitations of time and space.

The Pilgrims sought refuge far from their homeland. They established a separate church, but they were still subjects of the crown. They were to know little or nothing of the future developments which were to lead eventually to complete independence from the mother country.

Nevertheless they left an unparalleled example of devotion to a cause. In pursuit of religious freedom, in reverence, in the exigencies of primitive government, they sowed the seed of an ideal Americanism, that God willing, will forever endure.

Complete Genealogical List of “Mayflower” Passengers

Prepared and reprinted through the courtesy of George Ernest Bowman, editor of “The Mayflower Descendant”

The 50 passengers from whom descent can be proved:

John Alden

Isaac Allerton

wife Mary

daughter Mary

daughter Remember

John Billington

wife Eleanor

son Francis

William Bradford

William Brewster

wife Mary

son Love

Peter Brown

James Chilton

wife ——

daughter Mary

Francis Cooke

son John

Edward Doty

Francis Eaton

wife Sarah

son Samuel

Edward Fuller

wife ——

son Samuel

Dr. Samuel Fuller

Stephen Hopkins

2nd wife, Elizabeth

son Gyles (by 1st wife)

daughter Constance (by 1st wife)

John Howland

Richard More

William Mullins

wife Alice

daughter Priscilla

Degory Priest

Thomas Rogers

son Joseph

Henry Sampson

George Soule

Myles Standish

John Tilley, and wife ——

daughter Elizabeth

Richard Warren

William White

wife Susanna

son Resolved

son Peregrine

Edward Winslow

The 54 passengers from whom we cannot prove descent:

Bartholomew Allerton

John Allerton

John Billington

Dorothy Bradford

(1st wife of William)

Wrestling Brewster

Richard Britterige

William Butten

Robert Carter

John Carver

Katherine Carver

(wife of John)

Maid servant of the Carvers

Richard Clarke

Humility Cooper

John Crakston

son John

Edmund Margeson

Christopher Martin

wife ——

Desire Minter

Ellen More

Jasper More

(a boy) More

Joseph Mullins

Solomon Prower

John Rigdale

wife Alice

Rose Standish

(1st wife of Myles)

Elias Story

Edward Thomson

Edward Tilley

wife Ann

—— Ely

Thomas English

Moses Fletcher

Richard Gardner

John Goodman

William Holbeck

John Hooke

Damaris Hopkins

Oceanus Hopkins

John Langmore

William Latham

Edward Leister

Thomas Tinker

wife ——

son ——

William Trevore

John Turner

son ——

son ——

Roger Wilder

Thomas Williams

Elizabeth Winslow

(1st wife of Edward)

Gilbert Winslow

Those Who Came on the “Fortune,” the “Anne” and the “Little James”
FORTUNE

John Adams

William Basset and

wife Elizabeth

William Beale

Edward Bumpus

Jonathan Brewster

Clement Briggs

John Cannon

William Conner

Robert Cushman

Thomas Cushman

Stephen Dean

Philip De le Noye

Thomas Flavell

and son

Widow Ford and

children William, John, Martha

Robert Hicks

William Hilton

Bennet Morgan

Thomas Morton

Austin Nicolas

William Palmer and

son William Jr.

William Pit

Thomas Prince

Moses Simonson

Hugh Statie

James Steward

William Tench

John Winslow

William Wright

ANNE and LITTLE JAMES

Anthony Annable

Jane Annable

Sarah Annable

Hannah Annable

Edward Bangs and

wife Rebecca, two children

Robert Bartlett

Fear Brewster

Patience Brewster

Mary Buckett

Edward Burcher

Mrs. Burcher

Thomas Clarke

Christopher Conant

Hester Cooke and

three children

Experience Mitchell

George Morton

Patience Morton

Nathaniel Morton

John Morton

Sarah Morton

Ephraim Morton

George Morton, Jr.

Thomas Morton, Jr.

Ellen Newton

John Oldham and

wife and eight associates

Frances Palmer

Christian Penn

Joshua Pratt

James Rand

Cuthbert Cuthbertson and

wife Sarah and four children

Anthony Dix

John Faunce

Goodwife Flavell

Edmund Flood

Bridget Fuller

Timothy Hatherly

William Heard

Margaret Hicks

three children

Mrs. William Hilton

William Hilton, Jr.

and another child

Edward Holeman

John Jenney

wife Sarah and three children

Robert Long

Nicholas Snow

Alice Southworth

Robert Ratcliffe and wife

and two children

Francis Sprague

wife Ann and daughter Mary

Barbara Standish

Thomas Tilden and

wife and child

Stephen Tracy and

wife Triphors

Sarah Tracey

Ralph Wallen and

wife Joyce

Elizabeth Warren

Mary Warren

Ann Warren

Sarah Warren

Elizabeth Warren, Jr.

Abigail Warren

Manassah Kempton

Mr. Perce’s two servants

Footnotes