Posted on 11/24/2014 3:57:05 AM PST by Ray76
Each year at this time school children all over America are taught the official Thanksgiving story, and newspapers, radio, TV, and magazines devote vast amounts of time and space to it. It is all very colorful and fascinating.
It is also very deceiving. This official story is nothing like what really happened. It is a fairy tale, a whitewashed and sanitized collection of half-truths which divert attention away from Thanksgiving's real meaning.
The official story has the pilgrims boarding the Mayflower, coming to America and establishing the Plymouth colony in the winter of 1620-21. This first winter is hard, and half the colonists die. But the survivors are hard working and tenacious, and they learn new farming techniques from the Indians. The harvest of 1621 is bountiful. The Pilgrims hold a celebration, and give thanks to God. They are grateful for the wonderful new abundant land He has given them.
The official story then has the Pilgrims living more or less happily ever after, each year repeating the first Thanksgiving. Other early colonies also have hard times at first, but they soon prosper and adopt the annual tradition of giving thanks for this prosperous new land called America.
The problem with this official story is that the harvest of 1621 was not bountiful, nor were the colonists hardworking or tenacious. 1621 was a famine year and many of the colonists were lazy thieves.
In his 'History of Plymouth Plantation,' the governor of the colony, William Bradford, reported that the colonists went hungry for years, because they refused to work in the fields. They preferred instead to steal food. He says the colony was riddled with "corruption," and with "confusion and discontent." The crops were small because "much was stolen both by night and day, before it became scarce eatable."
In the harvest feasts of 1621 and 1622, "all had their hungry bellies filled," but only briefly. The prevailing condition during those years was not the abundance the official story claims, it was famine and death. The first "Thanksgiving" was not so much a celebration as it was the last meal of condemned men.
But in subsequent years something changes. The harvest of 1623 was different. Suddenly, "instead of famine now God gave them plenty," Bradford wrote, "and the face of things was changed, to the rejoicing of the hearts of many, for which they blessed God." Thereafter, he wrote, "any general want or famine hath not been amongst them since to this day." In fact, in 1624, so much food was produced that the colonists were able to begin exporting corn.
What happened?
After the poor harvest of 1622, writes Bradford, "they began to think how they might raise as much corn as they could, and obtain a better crop." They began to question their form of economic organization.
This had required that "all profits & benefits that are got by trade, working, fishing, or any other means" were to be placed in the common stock of the colony, and that, "all such persons as are of this colony, are to have their meat, drink, apparel, and all provisions out of the common stock." A person was to put into the common stock all he could, and take out only what he needed.
This "from each according to his ability, to each according to his need" was an early form of socialism, and it is why the Pilgrims were starving. Bradford writes that "young men that are most able and fit for labor and service" complained about being forced to "spend their time and strength to work for other men's wives and children." Also, "the strong, or man of parts, had no more in division of victuals and clothes, than he that was weak." So the young and strong refused to work and the total amount of food produced was never adequate.
To rectify this situation, in 1623 Bradford abolished socialism. He gave each household a parcel of land and told them they could keep what they produced, or trade it away as they saw fit. In other words, he replaced socialism with a free market, and that was the end of famines.
Many early groups of colonists set up socialist states, all with the same terrible results. At Jamestown, established in 1607, out of every shipload of settlers that arrived, less than half would survive their first twelve months in America. Most of the work was being done by only one-fifth of the men, the other four-fifths choosing to be parasites. In the winter of 1609-10, called "The Starving Time," the population fell from five-hundred to sixty.
Then the Jamestown colony was converted to a free market, and the results were every bit as dramatic as those at Plymouth. In 1614, Colony Secretary Ralph Hamor wrote that after the switch there was "plenty of food, which every man by his own industry may easily and doth procure." He said that when the socialist system had prevailed, "we reaped not so much corn from the labors of thirty men as three men have done for themselves now."
Before these free markets were established, the colonists had nothing for which to be thankful. They were in the same situation as Ethiopians are today, and for the same reasons. But after free markets were established, the resulting abundance was so dramatic that the annual Thanksgiving celebrations became common throughout the colonies, and in 1863, Thanksgiving became a national holiday.
Thus the real reason for Thanksgiving, deleted from the official story, is: Socialism does not work; the one and only source of abundance is free markets, and we thank God we live in a country where we can have them.
Plymouth Colony 1622 - 1626
Colonists who arrived on the three subsequent ships, together with Plymouth births, swelled the colony’s population to over 150 people by 1627, three times that of 1621. Many other changes occurred in the first seven years as well. The merchant adventurers broke up in 1624, leaving the colonists in debt and in need of alternative financial support. Unable to make their living through cod fishing as they had originally planned, the colonists turned to agriculture and trade instead. The Plantation’s chief crop, Indian corn, was traded with the Native Americans to the north for highly valued beaver skins, These were profitably sold in England to pay the colony’s debts and buy necessary supplies.
A Brief Chronology of Plymouth Colony from
the Arrival of the Fortune (November 11, 1621) to
the Wreck of the Sparrowhawk, Winter, 1626
Note: the dates are Old Style (Julian calendar), and the New Year begins on Lady Day (March 25).
1622
1623
Cornelius May took 30 families to New Netherlands for the Dutch West India Company.
1625
1626
The years after 1627 are less well known than those of the earlier part of the decade. The land division which occurred in that year initiated the expansion of the colony beyond the original New Plymouth village. Following 1629, the great wave of Puritan immigration into Massachusetts Bay overshadowed the "Old Colony" and eventually absorbed the smaller colony in 1692.
A Brief Chronology of Plymouth Colony from
1629 until the demise of Plymouth Colony
in 1692
Note: the dates are Old Style (Julian calendar), and the New Year begins on Lady Day (March 25).
1629 William Bradford elected governor.
Spring: The Reverend Ralph Smith arrives in Plymouth and is chosen as the colony’s second minister.
May: A group of 35 colonists leave Leiden; arriving in Plymouth Colony in August.
Isaac Allerton returns from England, bringing Thomas Morton back with him.
1630 William Bradford elected governor.
January: Plymouth received its third charter, granted to William Bradford & Associates from the Council for New England.
May: The second (and last) group of colonists arrive from Leiden.
September: John Billington convicted and hanged for the murder of John Newcomen.
1631 March: William Bradford elected governor.
Edward Winslow sent back to England as the colony’s agent.
June: French attack Plymouth’s trading house on the Penobscot.
Josiah Winslow, younger brother of Edward, was sent over as the Colony’s new accountant, replacing Isaac Allerton.
Roger Williams arrived in Plymouth.
1632: William Bradford elected governor.
June: Edward Winslow returned from England with a supply of trade goods.
First mention in Bradford’s history of additional settlements in Plymouth Colony. He made reference to people living across the bay in "Duxberie" and also about granting land in "Greens Harbor" [later Marshfield].
1633: January: Edward Winslow chosen governor.
Stephen Deane given permission to set up a corn mill on Town Brook.
May: A plague of insects infested the Plymouth area.
Summer: An outbreak of plague caused the deaths of more than 20 people.
Plymouth established a trading house on the Connecticut River at Matianuck (Windsor, CT).
1634: January: Thomas Prence chosen governor.
First mention of the "ward of Scituate."
Plymouth’s trading house on the Penobscot became an object of contention with Mass Bay. Two men are shot and killed. John Alden, who was there at the time delivering supplies, was arrested in Masachusett Bay. Captain Standish traveled to Boston with a letter from Governor Prence to secure Alden’s release. The matter was finally resolved.
1635: January: William Bradford chosen governor.
The French took over Plymouth’s Kennebec trading house.
August: The area hit by a hurricane, the first since the colonists’ arrival in 1620.
Edward Winslow traveled back to England (this year or last) and was arrested and placed in the Fleet prison.
1636: January: Edward Winslow chosen governor.
Ralph Smith laid down his ministry and was replaced by John Reyner.
Plymouth lost its trading house on the Connecticut River to Massachusetts Bay colonists.
October: The Plymouth Court gathered its laws as "The General Fundamentals."
1637: January: William Bradford chosen governor.
March: The first mention of Cohannet, which became known as Taunton.
April: A group of ten men from Saugus in Massachusetts Bay Colony received permission to settle in Plymouth Colony. They chose the future Sandwich.
Plymouth and Mass Bay disputed over the border between the two colonies. The line was finally established between Hingham and Scituate in June, 1640.
June: Duxbury was declared a township.
The Plymouth Court declared that it would send a force to help the men of Massachusetts Bay and Connecticut against the Pequots, but the war was over before the force was sent out.
1638: March: Thomas Prence chosen governor.
June: The area was hit by an earthquake.
September: First mention of the inhabitants of "Mattacheese or Yarmouth".
Arthur Peach was condemned and executed for the murder of an Indian, the second execution in Plymouth.
Charles Chauncy was chosen to serve as minister with John Reyner, and served until 1641.
1639: William Bradford chosen governor.
March: Plymouth built its first house for a prison.
Plymouth Colony had now grown so large that they institute a system of representative government.
May: Plymouth lost the Connecticut lands.
June: First mention of Barnstable in the Court Records.
September: Ussamequin (Massaoit) and Mooanam, his son, reconfirmed the ancient treaty with Plymouth.
1640: March through November: Bounds of the various townships of Plymouth Colony set.
June: William Bradford chosen governor.
Prices of livestock fell drastically during the year.
1641: June: William Bradford chosen governor.
1642: June: William Bradford chosen governor.
August: First mention of Seekonk, which in 1645 became the town of Rehoboth.
1643: March: William Bradford chosen governor.
May: Plymouth joined with Massachusetts Bay, Connecticutt and New-Haven Colonies to form The United Colonies of New England, for mutual defence and settling of differences between them.
August: The Plymouth Court drew up orders for military discipline for Plymouth, Duxbury & Marshfield.
1644: March: William Bradford elected governor.
Plymouth Colony’s religious leader, Elder William Brewster, died.
June:Edward Winslow chosen governor.
Some colonists from New Plymouth moved to Nauset on Cape Cod.
1645: June: William Bradford chosen governor.
Plymouth Colony finally settled its debt to the last creditor, John Beauchamp, for £291 worth of lands.
August: The towns sent out a company of soldiers in an expedition against the Narragansetts.
1646: Here ends Bradford’s history.
William Bradford continued as governor.
June: Timothy Hatherly and John Browne chosen commisioners for the United Colonies
Nausett became a township.
October: Edward Winsow left Plymouth Colony for England, and never returned.
1647: June: William Bradford chosen governor.
William Bradford and John Bowne chosen commisioners for the United Colonies.
1648: First meeting house built in Plymouth.
June: William Bradford chosen governor.
William Bradford and John Bowne chosen commisioners for the United Colonies.
1649: March: Plymouth colonists purchased a tract of land from Ousamequin (Massasoit) which was later named Bridgewater.
June: Due to the "unsetled" state of affairs in England, the freemen of the colony decided to suspend elections of new officers for the coming year.
The Kennebec trade was let to William Bradford, Edward Winslow, Thomas Prence, Thomas Willet and William Paddy for three years.
October: Plymouth Colony prepared for war against Natives to the west, in case it should occur.
1650: June: William Bradford elected governor.
Thomas Prence and John Browne chosen commisioners for the United Colonies.
Timothy Hatherly allowed to set up an iron mill between Namassakeeset and Indian Head River.
June: Massachusetts Bay Colony and Plymouth Colony appointed representatives to settle the bound between them.
1651: June: William Bradford elected governor.
John Browne and Timothy Hatherly chosen commisioners for the United Colonies.
1652: March: The Court desired a public day of Thanksgiving be declared for the victory of the Parliamentarian army.
June: William Bradford elected governor.
1653: April: The towns of Plymouth Colony required to send deputies to Plymouth to agree on military orders in regards to the present variance between England and Holland.
June: William Bradford elected governor.
Thomas Prence and John Brown chosen Commissioners for the United Colonies.
1654: June: William Bradford elected governor.
Capt. Myles Standish and Capt. Thomas Willet organized a force to go against the Dutch at Manhatten.
August: Thomas Prence and John Brown chosen commissioners for the United Colonies.
John Reyner ended his term as Plymouth’s minister.
1655: May: Plymouth Colony leader Edward Winslow died at sea in the West Indies.
June: William Bradford elected governor.
1656: February: Members of the radical group, the Religious Society of Friends, commonly known as Quakers, arrived in Plymouth Colony.
June: William Bradford elected governor.
William Bradford and Thomas Prence chosen Commissioners for the United Colonies.
October: Plymouth Colony’s military leader Myles Standish died.
1657: February: First complaints lodged concerning the people called Quakers.
May: William Bradford, governor of Plymouth Colony for many years, died.
June: Thomas Prence elected governor.
Thomas Prence and James Cudworth chosen commissioners for the United Colonies.
October: Laws passed against Quakers
1658: June: Thomas Prence elected governor.
Thomas Prence and Josiah Winslow chosen commissioners for the United Colonies.
The Court ordered a house of correction to be added to the Plymouth prison.
October: Second earthquake hit Plymouth area.
1659: June: Thomas Prence elected governor.
Josiah Winslow and Thomas Southworth chosen Commissioners for the United Colonies.
1660: Ousamequin (Massasoit) died sometime prior to the June Court.
June: Thomas Prence elected governor.
Josiah Winslow and Thomas Southworth chosen Commissioners for the United Colonies.
1661: June: Thomas Prence elected governor.
Elizabeth and Thomas Burse were divorced, the first such case in Plymouth Colony.
1662: June: Thomas Prence elected governor.
Josiah Winslow and Thomas Southworth were chosen commissioners for the United Colonies.
Court agreed to sell the Kennebeck trade.
August: Phillip, alias Metacom, sachem of Pokanoket, reconfirmed the treaty between himself and Plymouth Colony.
Third earthquake hit Plymouth area.
1663: June: Thomas Prence elected governor.
Thomas Prence and Josiah Winslow chosen commssioners for the United Colonies.
Minister’s house was built on lots donated by Bridget Fuller and her nephew, Samuel.
1664: June: Thomas Prence elected governor.
The Plymouth Court ordered that the tracts of land commonly called Acushena, Ponagansett and Coaksett be made into a township to be called Dartmouth.
1665: June: Thomas Prence elected governor.
Josiah Winslow and Thomas Southworth chosen commissioners for the United Colonies.
1666: June: Thomas Prence elected governor.
Josiah Winslow and Thomas Southworth chosen commissioners for the United Colonies.
1667: April: A Council of War, headed by Thomas Prence, met in Plymouth and issued military orders for the towns in the colony.
June: Thomas Prence elected governor.
Josiah Winslow and Thomas Southworth chosen commissioners for the United Colonies.
John Cotton Jr. was called to become Plymouth’s minister.
1668: March: Money was collected to help pay for the printing of Nathaniel Morton’s New-Englands Memoriall.
The township at Wannamoisett to be called Swansea.
June: Thomas Prence elected governor.
Josiah Winslow and Thomas Southworth chosen commissioners for the United Colonies.
October: The Court orders a day of thanksgiving to be held
1669: June: Thomas Prence elected governor.
Josiah Winslow and Thomas Southworth chosen commissioners for the United Colonies.
The Plymouth Court granted township status to Namasakett; its name to be changed to Middleborough.
John Cotton Jr. was chosen to be Plymouth’s minister. He served until 1699.
1670: May: A list was made of all of the freemen in the jurisdiction of New Plymouth.
June: Thomas Prence elected governor.
Thomas Prence and Josiah Winslow chosen commissioners for the United Colonies.
1671: June: Thomas Prence elected governor.
Thomas Prence and Josiah Winslow chosen commissioners for the United Colonies.
Some Natives of Cape Cod ratified a new treaty with Plymouth Colony.
The Plymouth Court revises the Colony’s laws.
July: More Cape Cod Natives engaged in a new treaty with Plymouth Colony.
The Plymouth Court and Awashonks, the Squa Sachem of Saconnett, concluded Articles of Agreement.
August: Controversy developed between Philip and the Plymouth government as Plymouth attempted to confiscate the Pokanokets’ arms.
September: After intervention by Massachusetts Bay, Philip signed a new treaty, promising obedience to the Plymouth government.
1672: May: A Harvard College graduate, Ammi Ruhamah Corlet, became the teacher of Plymouth’s free school.
June: Thomas Prence elected governor.
Thomas Prence and Josiah Winslow chosen commissioners for the United Colonies.
A public day of humilation was observed both in Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay colonies in regards to the present state of England.
1673: March: GovernorThomas Prence died.
June: Josiah, son of Edward Wnslow was elected as the first native-born governor.
Josiah Winslow and Thomas Hincklet were chosen commissioners for the United Colonies.
1674: June: Josiah Winslow elected governor.
Josiah Winslow and Thomas Hinkley chosen commissioners for the United Colonies.
1675: January: A Native man, John Sassamon, former secretary to Philip and an English informant, was found dead under suspicious circumstances.
March: Tobias, another Native, was asked to come before the Court to answer questions concerning Sassamon’s death.
June: Josiah Winslow elected governor.
Josiah Winslow and Thomas Hinkley chosen commissioners for the United Colonies.
Tobias, Wampapaum and Mattushamama were tried, found guilty of the murder of John Sassamon, and executed.
The "great Indian war" which will become known as King Philip’s War, began with an attack by Philip on Swansea.
July: The war spread, with attacks on Taunton, Dartmouth and Middleboro
August: The Nipmucks of central Massachusetts joined in the war.
The Plymouth Court authorized the sale of 112 Native prisoners.
September: The Court authorized the sale of an additional 57 Native prisoners.
October: The Court proclaimed a day of Humiliation in regards to the "present troubles."
December: The English troops combined and attacked the Narragansetts in an attempt to keep them from joining in the war.
1676: March: A party of Natives under the command of Tatoson attacked and burned the Clark garrison house on Eel River in Plymouth.
Captain Michael Pierce’s company was wiped out in a battle at Pawtucket.
Philip’s men burned Rehoboth.
The Council for War ordered 300 more English soldiers to be raised by the towns, and 100 Natives.
May: The remaining houses in Middleboro burned, more died in Taunton and part of Scituate burned.
Communications ceased between Plymouth and Boston.
June: Josiah Winslow elected governor.
Josiah Winslow and Thomas Hinckley chosen commissioners for the United Colonies.
July: The tide of war turned and the English begin to capture or kill Natives, now desperately short of food.
The Court arranged for many of the captured Wampanoag children to placed as servants with English families.
August: Governor Winslow approved the sale of 110 Natives into slavery out of the country.
Philip and his forces were surrounded in a swamp at Mount Hope, and Philip was shot and killed by a Pocasset Native named Alderman.
1677: June: Josiah Winslow elected governor.
Josiah Winslow and Thomas Hinckley chosen commissioners for the United Colonies.
1678: June: Josiah Winslow elected governor.
Josiah Winslow and Thomas Hinckley chosen commissioners for the United Colonies.
1679: June: Josiah Winslow elected governor.
Josiah Winslow and Thomas Hinckley chosen commissioners for the United Colonies.
1680: June: Josiah Winslow elected governor.
Thomas Hinkley chosen for the newly-created post of Deputy Governor.
Thomas Hinckley chosen commissioners for the United Colonies.
Josiah Winslow and Thomas Hinckley chosen commissioners for the United Colonies.
King Charles II settled the Mount Hope lands on Plymouth Colony.
September: The Plymouth Court declared a day of Thanksgiving for October 20th.
December: Governor Josiah Winslow died.
1681: June: Thomas Hinkley elected governor.
James Cudworth chosen deputy governor.
Thomas Hinckley and James Cudworth chosen commissioners for the United Colonies.
Governor Hinkley negotiated for a new charter for Plymouth Colony.
October: King Philip’s former lands at Mount Hope declared to be the town of Bristol.
1682: June: Thomas Hinckley elected governor.
William Bradford, Jr. chosen deputy goveror.
Thomas Hinckley and William Bradford, Jr.chosen commissioners for the United Colonies
The former Indian lands of Saconett established as the town of Little Compton.
1683: June: Thomas Hinckley elected governor.
William Bradford, Jr. chosen deputy goveror.
Thomas Hinckley and William Bradford, Jr. chosen commissioners for the United Colonies
July: The freemen’s lands at Fall River established as a township to be called Freetown.
1684: June: Thomas Hinckley elected governor.
William Bradford, Jr. chosen deputy goveror.
Thomas Hinckley and William Bradford, Jr. chosen commissioners for the United Colonies
July: The Court created an act for the restraining and punishing of privateers and pirates.
1685: June: Thomas Hinckley elected governor.
William Bradford, Jr. chosen deputy goveror.
Thomas Hinckley and William Bradford, Jr. chosen commissioners for the United Colonies
Plymouth Colony divided into three administrative centers: Plymouth, Barnstable and Bristol Counties.
1686: June: Thomas Hinckley elected governor.
William Bradford, Jr. chosen deputy goveror.
Thomas Hinckley and William Bradford, Jr. chosen commissioners for the United Colonies
Sippican becomes the town of Rochester.
Two county courts, the Court of Common Pleas and The Court of General Sessions, established.
December: Sir Edmund Andros arrived as Captain General and Governor in Chief of the Dominion of New England. This included New York and New Jersey as well as New England.
1687: June: Governor Andros continued in office.
September: John Alden, last surviving signer of the Mayflower Compact, died.
1688: April: Hearing of the accession of William & Mary to England’s throne, Plymouth rose up against Andros and his agent, Nathaniel Clark. Thomas Hinkley resumed the governorship.
William Bradford, Jr. was again Deputy Governor.
1689: June: Thomas Hinckley elected governor.
William Bradford, Jr. chosen deputy goveror.
The Court decided to petition William & Mary, King and Queen of England, for the reestablishment of the colony’s former rights and liberties.
August: Thomas Hickley and John Walley were chosen commissioners for the United Colonies for the remainder of the year.
December: In response to the hostilities broken out between the English, and French and Native forces along the Canadian border, the Court asked that the towns put their militias in order
1690: April: Crops in Plymouth affected by a severe drought.
The Court ordered the last day of April to be kept as a day of humiliation.
May: The Court ordered a force of 60 men be raised and sent to Albany to join with the other forces against the enemy
June: Thomas Hinckley elected governor.
William Bradford, Jr. chosen deputy goveror.
Thomas Hickley and John Walley were chosen commissioners for the United Colonies.
The Court ordered a force of 200 men raised and sent on the expedition to Canada.
October: The attack on Quebec failed.
1691: June: Thomas Hinckley elected governor.
William Bradford, Jr. chosen deputy governor.
Thomas Hickley and John Walley were chosen commissioners for the United Colonies.
October: England combined the colonies of Plymouth and Maine with Masachusetts Bay.
1692: May: Sir William Phips arrived in Boston with the new charter.
June: The last meeting of the Plymouth General Court.
William Bradford: from History of Plymouth Plantation, c. 1650
Bradford was one of the leaders of the English Puritan Separatists who we now call "The Pilgrims." This history was his personal journal, completed around 1650, after he had served some 35 years as governor of the colony. The first excerpt describes his feelings as he is on The Mayflower in 1620, on the night before they land to start their puritan colony, the first utopian experiment in the Americas
Being thus arrived in a good harbor, and brought safe to land, they fell upon their knees and blessed the God of Heaven who had brought them over the fast and furious ocean, and delivered them from all the perils and miseries thereof, again to set their feet on the firm and stable earth, their proper element. And no marvel if they were thus joyful, seeing wise Seneca was so affected with sailing a few miles on the coast of his own Italy, as he affirmed, that he had rather remain twenty years on his way by land than pass by sea to any place in a short time, so tedious and dreadful was the same unto him.
But here I cannot but stay and make a pause, and stand half amazed at this poor people's present condition; and so I think will the reader, too, when he well considers the same. Being thus passed the vast ocean, and a sea of troubles before in their preparation (as may be remembered by that which went before), they had now no friends to welcome them nor inns to entertain or refresh their weatherbeaten bodies; no houses or much less towns to repair to, to seek for succor. It is recorded in Scripture as a mercy to the Apostle and his shipwrecked company, that the barbarians showed them no small kindness in refreshing them, but these savage barbarians, when they met with them (as after will appear) were readier to fill their sides full of arrows than otherwise. And for the season it was winter, and they know that the winters of that country know them to be sharp and violent, and subject to cruel and fierce storms, dangerous to travel to known places, much more to search an unknown coast. Besides, what could they see but a hideous and desolate wilderness, full of wild beasts and wild men--and what multitudes there might be of them they knew not. Neither could they, as it were, go up to the top of Pisgah to view from this wilderness a more goodly country to feed their hopes; for which way soever they turned their eyes (save upward to the heavens) they could have little solace or content in respect of any outward objects. For summer being done, all things stand upon them with a weatherbeaten face, and the whole country, full of woods and thickets, represented a wild and savage hue. If they looked behind them, there was the mighty ocean which they had passed and was now as a main bar and gulf to separate them from all the civil parts of the world. If it be said they had a ship to succor them, it is true; but what heard they daily from the master and company? But that with speed they should look out a place (with their shallop) where they would be, at some near distance; for the season was such that he would not stir from thence till a safe harbor was discovered by them, where they would be, and he might go without danger; and that victuals consumed space but he must and would keep sufficient for themselves and their return. Yea, it was muttered by some that if they got not a place in time, they would turn them and their goods ashore and leave them. Let it also be considered what weak hopes of supply and succor they left behind them, that might bear up their minds in this sad condition and trials they were under; and they could not but be very small. It is true, indeed, the affections and love of their brethren at Leyden was cordial and entire towards them, but they had little power to help them or themselves; and how the case stood between them and the merchants at their coming away hath already been declared.
What could now sustain them but the Spirit of God and His grace? May not and ought not the children of these fathers rightly say: "Our fathers were Englishmen which came over this great ocean, and were ready to perish in this wilderness; but they cried unto the Lord, and He heard their voice and looked on their adversity," etc. "Let them therefore praise the Lord, because He is good: and his mercies endure forever. Yea, let them which have been redeemed of the Lord, show how He hath delivered them from the hand of the oppressor. When they wandered in the desert wilderness out of the way, and found no city to dwell in, both hungry and thirsty, their soul was overwhelmed in them." "Let them confess before the Lord His lovingkindness and His wonderful works before the sons of men."
How they sought a place of habitation (1620)
Being thus arrived at Cape Cod the 11th of November, and necessity calling them to look out a place for habitation (as well as the master's and mariner's importunity); they having brought a large shallop with them out of England, stowed in quarters in the ship, they now got her out and set their carpenters to work to trim her up; but being much bruised and shattered in the ship with foul weather, they saw she would be long in mending. Whereupon a few of them tendered themselves to go by land and discover those nearest places, whilst the shallop was in mending; and the rather because as they went into that harbor there seemed to be an opening some two or three leagues off, which the master judged to be a river. It was conceived there might be some danger in the attempt, yet seeing them resolute, they were permitted to go, being sixteen of them well armed under the conduct of Captain Standish, having such instructions given them as was thought meet.
They set forth the 15 of November; and when they had marched about the space of a mile by the seaside, they espied five or six persons with a dog coming towards them, who were savages; but they fled from them and ran up into the woods, and the English followed them, partly to see if they could speak with them, and partly to discover if there might not be more of them lying in ambush. But the Indians seeing themselves thus followed, they again forsook the woods and ran away on the sands as hard as they could, so as they could not come near them but followed them by the track of their feet sundry miles and saw that they had come the same way. So, night coming on, they made their rendezvous and set out their sentinels, and rested in quiet that night; and the next morning followed their track till they had headed a great creek and so left the sands, and turned another way into the woods. But they still followed them by guess, hoping to find their dwellings; but they soon lost both them and themselves, falling into such thickets as were ready to tear their clothes and armor in pieces; but were most distressed for want of drink. But at length they found water and refreshed themselves, being the first New England water they drunk of, and was now in great thirst as pleasant unto them as wine or beer had been in foretimes.
Afterwards, they directed their course to come to the other shore, for they knew it was a neck of land they were to cross over, and so at length got to the seaside and marched to this supposed river, and by the way found a pond of clear, fresh water, and shortly after a good quantity of clear ground where the Indians had formerly set corn, and some of their graves. And proceeding further they saw new stubble where corn had been set the same year; also they found where lately a house had been, where some planks and a great kettle was remaining, and heaps of sand newly paddled with their hands. Which, they digging up, found in them divers fair Indian baskets filled with corn, and some in ears, fair and good, of divers colors, which seemed to them a very goodly sight (having never seen any such before). This was near the place of that supposed river they came to seek, unto which they went and found it to open itself into two arms with a high cliff of sand in the entrance but more like to be creeks of salt water than any fresh, for aught they saw; and that there was good harborage for their shallop, leaving it further to be discovered by their shallop, when she was ready. So, their time limited them being expired, they returned to the ship lest they should be in fear of their safety; and took with them part of the corn and buried up the rest. And so, like the men from Eshcol, carried with them of the fruits of the land and showed their brethren; of which, and their return, they were marvelously glad and their hearts encouraged.
After this, the shallop being got ready, they set out again for the better discovery of this place, and the master of the ship desired to go himself. So there went some thirty men but found it to be no harbor for ships but only for boats. There was also found two of their houses covered with mats, and sundry of their implements in them, but the people were run away and could not be seen. Also there was found more of their corn and of their beans of various colors; the corn and beans they brought away, purposing to give them full satisfaction when they should meet with any of them as, about some six months afterward they did, to their good content.
And here is to be noted a special providence of God, and a great mercy to this poor people, that here they got seed to plant them corn the next year, or else they might have starved, for they had none nor any likelihood to get any till the season had been past, as the sequel did manifest. Neither is it likely they had had this, if the first voyage had not been made, for the ground was now all covered with snow and hard frozen; but the Lord is never wanting unto His in their greatest needs; let His holy name have all the praise. . . .
The Mayflower Compact (1620)
I shall a little return back, and begin with a combination of made by them before they came ashore; being the first foundation of their government in this place. Occasioned partly by the discontented and mutinous speeches that some of the strangers amongst them had let fall from them in the ship: That when they came ashore they would use their own liberty, for none had power to command them, the patent they had being for Virginia and not for New England, which belonged to another government, with which the Virginia Company had nothing to do. And partly that such an act by them done, this their condition considered, might be as firm as any patent and in some respects more sure.
The form was as followeth:
IN THE NAME OF GOD, AMEN.
We whose names are underwritten, the loyal subjects of our dread Sovereign Lord King James, by the Grace of God of Great Britain, France, and Ireland King, Defender of the faith, etc.
Having undertaken, for the Glory of God and advancement of the Christian Faith and Honor of our King and Country, a Voyage to plant the First Colony in the Northern Parts of Virginia, do by these presents solemnly and mutually in the presence of God and one of another, Covenant and Combine ourselves together into a Civil Body Politic, for our better ordering and preservation and furtherance of the ends aforesaid; and by virtue hereof to enact, constitute and frame such just and equal Laws, Ordinances, Acts, Constitutions and Offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general good of the Colony, unto which we promise all due submission and obedience. In witness whereof we have hereunder subscribed our names at Cape Cod, the llth of November, in the year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord King James, of England, France and Ireland the eighteenth, and of Scotland the fifty-fourth. Anno Domini 1620.
After this they chose, or rather confirmed, Mr. John Carver (a man godly and well approved amongst them) their Governor for that year. And after they had provided a place for their goods, or common store (which were long in unlading for want of boats, foulness of the winter weather and sickness of divers) and begun some small cottages for their habitation; as time would admit, they met and consulted of laws and orders, both for their civil and military government as the necessity of their condition did require, still adding thereunto as urgent occasion in several times, and as cases did require.
In these hard and difficult beginnings they found some discontents and murmurings arise amongst some, and mutinous speeches and carriages in other; but they were soon quelled and overcome by the wisdom, patience, and just and equal carriage of things, by the Governor and better part, which clave faithfully together in the main.
Treaty with the Indians (1621)
All this while the Indians came skulking about them, and would sometimes show themselves aloof off, but when any approached near them, they would run away; and once they stole away their tools where they had been at work and were gone to dinner. But about the 16th of March, a certain Indian came boldly amongst them and spoke to them in broken English, which they could well understand but marveled at it. At length they understood by discourse with him, that he was not of these parts, but belonged to the eastern parts where some English ships came to fish, with whom he was acquainted and could name sundry of them by their names, amongst whom he had got his language. He became profitable to them in acquainting them with many things concerning the state of the country in the east parts where he lived, which was afterwards profitable unto them; as also of the people here, of their names, number and strength, of their situation and distance from this place, and who was chief amongst them. His name was Samoset. He told them also of another Indian whose name was Sguanto, a native of this place, who had been in England and could speak better English than himself.
Being after some time of entertainment and gifts dismissed, a while after he came again, and five more with him, and they brought again all the tools that were stolen away before, and made way for the coming of their great Sachem, called Massasoit. Who, about four or five days after, came with the chief of his friends and other attendance, with the aforesaid Squanto. With whom, after friendly entertainment and some gifts given him, they made a peace with him (which hath now continued this 24 years) in these terms:
After these thing he returned to his place called Sowams, some 40 miles from this place, but Squanto continued with them and was their interpreter and was a special instrument sent of God for their good beyond their expectation. He directed them how to set their corn, where to take fish, and to procure other commodities, and was also their pilot to bring them to unknown places for their profit, and never left them till he died. He was a native of this place, and scarce any left alive besides himself. He we carried away with divers others by one Hunt, a master of a ship, who thought to sell them for slaves in Spain. But he got away for England and was entertained by a merchant in London, and employed to Newfoundland and other parts, and lastly brought hither into these parts by one Mr. Dermer, a gentleman employed by Sir Ferdinando Gorges and others for discovery and other designs in these parts.
New governor, first marriage (1621)
In this month of April, whilst they were busy about their seed, their Governor (Mr. John Carver) came out of the field very sick, it being a hot day. He complained greatly of his head and lay down, and within a few hours his senses failed, so as he never spake more till he died, which was within a few days after. Whose death was much lamented and caused great heaviness amongst them, as there was cause. He was buried in the best manner they could, with some volleys of shot by all that bore arms. And his wife, being a weak woman, died within five or six weeks after him.
Shortly after, William Bradford was chosen Governor in his stead, and being not recovered of his illness, in which he had been near the point of death, Isaac Allerton was chosen to be an assistant unto him who, by renewed election every year, continued sundry years together. Which I here note once for all.
May 12 was the first marriage in this place which, according to the laudable custom of the Low Countries, in which they had lived, was thought most requisite to be performed by the magistrate, as being a civil thing, upon which many questions about inheritances do depend, with other things most proper to their cognizance and most consonant to the Scriptures (Ruth iv) and nowhere found in the Gospel to be laid on the ministers as a part of their office.
First harvest (1621)
They began now to gather in the small harvest they had, and to fit up their houses and dwellings against winter, being all well recovered in health and strength and had all things in good plenty. For as some were thus employed in affairs abroad, others were exercised in fishing, about cod and bass and other fish, of which they took good store, of which every family had their portion. All the summer there was no want; and now began to come in store of fowl, as winter approached, of which this place did abound when they came first (but afterward decreased by degrees). And besides waterfowl there was a great store of wild turkeys, of which they took many, besides venison, etc. Besides they had about a peck a meal a week to a person, or now since harvest, Indian corn to the proportion. Which made many afterwards write so largely of their plenty here to their friends in England, which were not feigned but true reports.
Private and communal farming (1623)
All this while no supply was heard of, neither knew they when they might expect any. So they began to think how they might raise as much corn as they could, and obtain a better crop than they had done, that they might not still thus languish in misery. At length, after much debate of things, the Governor (with the advice of the chiefest amongst them) gave way that they should set corn every man for his own particular, and in that regard trust to themselves; in all other thing to go on in the general way as before. And so assigned to every family a parcel of land, according to the proportion of their number, for that end, only for present use (but made no division for inheritance) and ranged all boys and youth under some family. This had very good success, for it made all hands very industrious, so as much more corn was planted than otherwise would have been by any means the Governor or any other could use, and saved him a great deal of trouble, and gave far better content. The women now went willingly into the field, and took their little ones with them to set corn; 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's and other ancients applauded by some of later times; and 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 (so far as it was) 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 recompense. The strong, or man of parts, had no more in division 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 labors and victuals, clothes etc., with the meaner and younger sort, 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. Upon the point all being to have alike, and all to do alike, they thought themselves in the like condition, and one as good as another; and so, if it did not cut off those relations that God hath set amongst men, yet it did at least much diminish and take off the mutual respects that should be preserved amongst them. And would have been worse if they had been men of another condition. Let none object this is men's corruption, and nothing to the course itself. I answer, seeing all men have this corruption in them, God in His wisdom saw another course fitter for them.
Cool! I’ve seen this before, but I never knew where to find it. Now I have a place. Thanks so much, and to you and yours, have a bountiful and happy Thanksgiving.
March 1
John Robinson died in Holland.
Cornelius May took 30 families to New Netherlands for the Dutch West India Company.
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That ship was the Nieuw Nederlandt (New Netherland) I had ancestors onboard.
Philippe Du Trieux and his 2nd wife Susannah du Chesne and his 2 children Philippe and Maria from his first wife Jacqueline Noirett
The left wants to destroy this holiday because it unashamedly invokes God, Country, Family and they've been using the "dead white males" angle to do it.
What we’ve all been taught is a part of the history: The Pilgrims came, they almost starved, the Indians taught them how to survive, and they had a big feast. All true. But it’s the tip of the iceberg.
The Puritans were being persecuted in Britain by the Church of England. They decided to get out. They first went to the Netherlands. After several years there, they decided to go to the New World for religious liberty.
They found some sponsors for their journey, who made William Bradford, their leader, sign a contract. It provided that every Pilgrim would get one share in a common store and they would all work for the community. (They would own nothing and be happy.)
They arrived at Plymouth Rock in 1620. Between the journey and that harsh first winter, about 44 of the original 100 settlers died. Including Governor Bradford’s wife.
The Native Americans taught them how to plant corn and fish, but according to Governor Bradford’s notes, even the most industrious didn’t work very hard at it. After all, why work so hard when you’re only going to get the same amount as the ones who don’t? Why expend all that effort for other people’s families when they’re not willing to expend the effort for themselves? So Governor Bradford changed the system.
Bradford assigned each family a plot of land and told them to work it as they saw fit, and they could keep the proceeds or trade it or sell it or give it away, if they chose. (Does this sound familiar?)
Well, they thrived. They produced an abundance of food and goods. Probably more than they could figure out what to do with. In gratitude to God, they had a big community feast to use and share all they had produced, and they invited the Indigenous to thank them for their help (and as a gesture of friendship.)
The original system in which everyone worked for the collective failed. It almost starved them to death. The new system, which incentivized producing as much as you wanted, produced an abundance they had to share.
Accordingly, one of the things I am grateful for today is Governor Bradford’s decision to abandon the failing collectivism of the original Compact and adopt a system based on incentive, which gave rise to an abundance we still enjoy.
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