William Bradford (1590-1657)

William Bradford's life displayed a mixture of the commonplace and the extraordinary that was characteristic of the Puritan experience. Brad­ ford was the son of a prosperous farmer in York­ shire, England. His father died when William was a baby, and the child was raised by his grandparents and uncles. It was assumed that the young man would take over the family hold­ ings when he came of age; in keeping with this expectation, he received no higher education but instead was taught the practical arts of farming. Despite his lack of formal training (or perhaps because of it), Bradford was to become a suc­ cessful, longstanding Colonial governor in the New World, dealing out justice and settling dis­ putes of all kinds. He would also write the first history that depicts America as a unique social experiment. Pilgrim Society, Plymouth, Massachusetts. Bradford might have become the prosperous Yorkshire farmer he was prepared to become if he had not taken a radical step when he was from the ship and was drowned. The act may twelve years old. Inspired by his reading of the well have been suicide. Dorothy Bradford had Bible and by the sermons of a Puritan minister, been on the crowded ship for more than two he joined a small group of Nonconformists de­ months, and when land was finally sighted, she spite the vehement objections of his family and did not see the hoped-for green hills of an friends. The group could not worship publicly, earthly paradise. Beyond the ship lay only the so they met furtively in a private house in the bleak sand dunes of Cape Cod. That bitter win­ nearby town of Scrooby. Seven years later, un­ ter, half the settlers were to die of cold, disease, der increasing pressure of persecution and fear­ and malnutrition. ful that they would be imprisoned, the Scrooby The following year, Bradford was elected gov­ group crossed the North Sea to Holland. There, ernor of the plantation at the age of thirty-one. Bradford set up a weaving business. He also "Had he not been a person of more than ordi­ married Dorothy May, a young woman who was nary piety, wisdom, and courage," the Puritan a fellow emigrant from England, and the couple preacher Cotton Mather later recorded, "he had a child. In 1620, after ten years in Holland, must have sunk" under the difficulties of gov­ the group was aided by London profiteers and erning such a shaky settlement. But, Mather merchants, who lent them a ship and crew as an continued, Bradford had been "laying up a treas­ investment, and the Nonconformists sailed for ure of experience, and he had now occasion to the New World. use it." Bradford proved an exemplary leader, For Bradford, the hardships of the ocean voy­ and he went on to be elected governor of the age did not end with the landing at Plymouth. In Colony no fewer than thirty times. December, while the Mayflower was anchored in In 1630, Bradford began to write a history of Provincetown Bay, Bradford and other men took the Plymouth Colony from its beginning. He a small boat ashore to scout for a place to land continued writing an annual account of the set­ and build shelter. When they returned, Bradford tlement until 1647. His record, OJ Plymouth learned that his young wife had fallen or jumped Plantation, was not composed for immediate

William Bradford 11 publication or to attract more colonists, like lost much of its population-especially its young many other early Colonial accounts. It was writ­ people. "Thus was this poor church left," Brad­ ten for posterity, although by the end of his life ford wrote in 1644, near the conclusion of his Bradford's dreams of that posterity had been history, "like an ancient mother grown old and shattered. forsaken of her children. She that had made so As the years passed, the plantation at Plym­ many rich became herself poor." outh prospered economically. Beaver pelts from The first nine chapters of Bradford's history the Indians brought good money in England, and were copied into the Plymouth church records, eventually the plantation managed to payoff its but the entire manuscript was later lost. Most debt. But as the group prospered and grew, it likely it was carried back to England as a souve­ also became more diffuse and less pious. Despite nir by a British soldier during the Revolutionary Bradford's efforts to hold it together, the Plym­ War. The soldier might have sold it for a few outh Colony gradually disintegrated as a reli­ cents to a bookseller in London. It was almost a gious community. The ideal of the "city on the century later that Governor Bradford's vellum­ hill," the Pilgrims' dream of an ideal society bound volume was discovered in the library of founded on religious principles, gradually gave the Bishop of London. Of Plymouth Plantation way to the realities of life in the New World. was first published in 1856 by the Massachusetts Bradford's record of this grand experiment ends Historical Society. Mter long negotiations, the in disappointment. When more fertile areas for manuscript was finally returned to the United settlement were found and when Boston became States in 1897. It can be seen today in the State­ a more convenient port to England, Plymouth house in Boston.

Thj Mayflower in Plymouth Harbor Pilgrim Society, Plymouth, Massachusetts. 1)y W. F. Halsall (1882). Oil.

12 The Colonial Period: The Age of Faith FROM OF PLYMOUTH PLANTATION

The following extracts from Bradford's history the first paragraph, notice how matter-of-fact describe some celebrated events: the landing at Bradford is about God's role in their voyage. Plymouth, the framing of the Mayflower Com­ Look for similar references to Divine Providence pact, the Pilgrims' early encounters with the na­ in the rest of the history. Note also how outward tive inhabitants, and their first Thanksgiving. In events contain an inner, spiritual significance.

Chapter 9 with which the ship was shroudly2 shaken and her upper works made very leaky; and one ofthe main beams in the midships was bowed and cracked, Of Their Voyage, and How They Passed the which put them in some fear that the ship could Sea; and of Their Safe Arrival At Cape Cod not be able to perform the voyage. So some of the eptember 6 [1620]. These troubles 1 being chief of the company, perceiving the mariners to blown over, and now all being compact to­ fear the sufficiency of the ship, as appeared by Sgether in one ship, they put to sea again with their mutterings, they entered into serious con­ a prosperous wind, which continued divers [many] sultation with the master and other officers of the days together, which was some encouragement ship, to consider in time of the danger, and rather unto them; yet, according to the usual manner, to return than to cast themselves into a desperate many were afflicted with seasickness. And I may and inevitable peril. And truly there was great not omit here a special work of God's Providence. distraction and difference of opinion amongst the There was a proud and very profane young man, mariners themselves; fain [gladly] would they do one of the seamen, of a lusty [energetic], able what could be done for their wages' sake (being body, which made him the more haughty; he now near half the seas over), and on the other would always be condemning the poor people in hand they were loath [reluctant] to hazard their their sickness and cursing them daily with griev­ lives too desperately. But in examining all opin­ ous execrations; and did not let to tell them that ions, the master and others affinned they knew he hoped to help to cast half of them overboard the ship to be strong and firm under water; and before they came to their journey's end, and to for the buckling of the main beam, there was a make merry with what they had; and if he were great iron screw the passengers brought out of by any gently reproved, he would curse and swear Holland, which would raise the beam into his most bitterly. But it pleased God before they came place; the which being done, the carpenter and half seas over, to smite this young man with a master affirmed that with a post put under it, set grievous disease, of which he died in a desperate firm in the lower deck, and otherways bound, he manner, and so was himself the first that was would make it sufficient. And as for the decks and thrown overboard. Thus his curses light on his upper works, they would caulk them as well as own head, and it was an astonishment to all his they could, and though with the working of the fellows, for they noted it to be the just hand of ship they would not long keep staunch [water­ God upon him. tight], yet there would otherwise be no great dan­ After they had enjoyed fair winds and weather ger, if they did not overpress her with sails. So for a season, they were encountered many times they committed themselves to the will of God and with crosswinds and met with many fierce storms, resolved to proceed.

/' I. troubles: the return of the Speedwell to England and the 2. shroudly: shrewdly, used here in its archaic sense of transf~f)er passengers to the Mayflower. "wickedly.' '

William Bradford 13 In sundry of these storms the winds were so ered them from all the perils and miseries thereof, fierce and the seas so high as they could not bear again to set their feet on the firm and stable earth, a knot of sail, but were forced to hu1l3 for divers their proper element. . . . days together. And in one of them, as they thus lay at hull in a mighty storm, a lusty young man But here I cannot but stay and make a pause, called John Howland, coming upon some occasion and stand half amazed at this poor people's pres­ above the gratings, was, with a seele [roll] of the ent condition; and so I think will the reader, too, ship, thrown into sea; but it pleased God that he when he well considers the same. Being thus caught hold of the topsail halyards which hung passed the vast ocean, and a sea of troubles before overboard and ran out at length. Yet he held his in their preparation (as may be remembered by hold (though he was sundry fathoms under water) that which went before), they had now no friends till he was hauled up by the same rope to the brim to welcome them nor inns to entertain or refresh of the water, and then with a boat hook and other their weather-beaten bodies; no houses or much means got into the ship again and his life saved. less towns to repair to, to seek for succor [aid]. It And though he was something ill with it, yet he is recorded in Scripture8 as a mercy to the Apostle lived many years after and became a profitable and his shipwrecked company, that the barbarians member both in church and commonwealth. In all showed them no small kindness in refreshing this voyage there died but one of the passengers, them, but these savage barbarians, when they met which was William Butten, a youth, servant to with them (as after will appear) were readier to fill Samuel Fuller, when they drew near the coast. their sides full of arrows than otherwise. And for But to omit other things (that I may be brief) the season it was winter, and they that know the after long beating at sea they fell with that land winters of that country know them to be sharp which is called Cape Cod;4 the which being made and violent, and subject to cruel and fierce storms, and certainly known to be it, they were not a little dangerous to travel to unknown places, much joyful. After some deliberation had amongst them­ more to search an unknown coast. Besides, what selves and with the master of the ship, they tacked could they see but a hideous and desolate wilder­ about and resolved to stand for the southward (the ness, full of wild beasts and wild men-and what wind and weather being fair) to find some place multitudes there might be of them they knew not. about Hudson's RiverS for their habitation. But Neither could they, as it were, go up to the top of after they had sailed that course about half the Pisgah9 to view from this wilderness a more day, they fell amongst dangerous shoals and roar­ goodly country to feed their hopes; for which way ing breakers, and they were so far entangled there­ soever they turned their eyes (save upward to the with as they conceived themselves in great heavens) they could have little solace or content danger; and the wind shrinking upon them withal, in respect of any outward objects. For summer they resolved to bear up again for the Cape and being done, aU things stand upon them with a thought themselves happy to get out of those dan­ weather-beaten face, and the whole country, full gers before night overtook them, as by God's good of woods and thickets, represented a wild and Providence they did. And the next day6 they savage hue. If they looked behind them, there was got into the Cape Harbor,7 where they rid in the mighty ocean which they had passed and was safety.... now as a main bar and gulf to separate them from Being thus arrived in a good harbor, and all the civil parts of the world.... bn;"ught safe to land, they feU upon their knees What could now sustain them but the Spirit of and blessed the God of Heaven who had brought God and His grace? May not and ought not the them over the vast and furious ocean, and deliv­ children of these fathers rightly say: "Our fathers

3. hull: lay to and drift under short sail. 8. In the Acts of the Apostles (Chapter 28), St. Paul tells how 4. They sighted Cape Cod at daybreak on November 9, 1620. the shipwrecked Christians were helped by the "barbarous 5. They were trying for Manhattan Island. Henry Hudson had people" of Malta. made his voyage in 1609 and had claimed the area for the 9. Pisgah was the mountain from which Moses first viewed Dutch, but the English did not recognize the Dutch claim. the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 34: I). 6. November II. The sea voyage from England had taken sixty-five days. 7. Cape Harbor is now Provincetown Harbor.

14 The Colonial Period: The Age of Faith r-- ...

were Englishmen which came over this great the seaside, they espied five or six persons with a ocean, and were ready to perish in this wilderness; dog coming toward them who were savages; but but they cried unto the Lord, and He heard their they fled from them and ran up into the woods, voice and looked on their adversity," 10 etc? "Let and the English followed them, partly to see if them therefore praise the Lord, because He is they could speak with them and partly to discover good: and His mercies endure forever." "Yea, let if there might not be more of them lying in am­ them which have been redeemed of the Lord, bush. But the Indians, seeing themselves thus fol­ shew how He hath delivered them from the hand lowed, they again forsook the woods and ran away of the oppressor. When they wandered in the des­ on the sands as hard as they could, so as they ert wilderness out of the way, and found no city could not come near them but followed them by to dwell in, both hungry and thirsty, their soul was the track of their feet sundry miles and saw that overwhelmed in them. Let them confess before they had come the same way. So, night coming the Lord His lovingkindness and His wonderful on, they made their rendezvous and set out their works before the sons of men.,,1l 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 Chapter 10 turned another way into the woods. But they still followed them by guess, hoping to find their dwell­ Showing How They Sought out a Place of ings; but they soon lost both them and themselves, Habitation; and What Befell Them Thereabout falling into such thickets as were ready to tear [1620] Being thus arrived at Cape Cod the 11th of their clothes and armor in pieces; but were most November, and necessity calling them to look out distressed for want of drink. But at length they a place for habitation (as well as the master's and found water and refreshed themselves, being the mariners' importunity); they having brought a first New England water they drunk of, and was large shallopl2 with them out of England, stowed now in great thirst as pleasant unto them as wine in quarters in the ship, they now got her out and or beer had been in foretimes. set their carpenters to work to trim her up; but Afterward they directed their course to come being much bruised and shattered in the ship with to the other shore, for they knew it was a neck of foul weather, they saw she would be long in mend­ land they were to cross over, and so at length got ing. Whereupon a few of them tendered them­ to the seaside and marched to this supposed river, selves to go by land and discover those nearest and by the way found a pond of clear, fresh water, places, whilst the shallop was in mending; and the and shortly after a good quantity of clear ground rather because as they went into that harbor there where the Indians had formerly set corn, and some seemed to be an opening some two or three of their graves. And proceeding further they saw leagues 13 off, which the master judged to be a new stubble where corn had been set the same river. It was conceived there might be some dan­ year, also they found where lately a house had ger in the attempt, yet seeing them resolute, they been, where some planks and a great kettle were were permitted to go, being sixteen of them well remaining, and heaps of sand newly paddled with armed under the conduct of Captain Standish,14 their hands. Which, they digging up, found in them having such instructions given them as was divers fair Indian baskets filled with corn, and thGught meet. some in ears, fair and good, of divers colors, They set forth the 15th of November; and when which seemed to them a very goodly sight (having they had marched about the space of a mile by never seen any such before). This was near the place of that supposed river they came to seek, to which they went and found it to open itself into 10. A quotation from Deuteronomy 26:7. two arms with a high cliff of sand in the entrance II. The quotations are from Psalm 107. but more like to be creeks of salt water than any 12. shallop: a small, open boat. This one was fitted with oars and a sail. fresh, for aught they saw; and that there was good 13. leagues: one league is equivalent to about three miles. harborage for their shallop, leaving it further to 14. Myles Standish (1584--1656) was a soldier who had been be discovered by their shallop, when she was hired to handle the colonists' military affairs. Not a member of the Puritan congregation, he still became one of their ready. So, their time limited them being expired, staunchest supporters. they returned to the ship lest they should be in

William Bradford 15 Landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth by Michel Felice Corne (1803). Oil. fear of their safety; and took with them part of the be seen. Also there was found more of their corn corn and buried up the rest. ... and of their beans of various colors; the corn and After this, the shallop being got ready. they set beans they brought away. purposing to give them out again for the better discovery of this place, full satisfaction when they should meet with any and the master of the ship desired to go himself. of them, as about some six months afterward they So there went some thirty men but found it to be did, to their good content. no harbor for ships but only for boats. There was And here is to be noted a special Providence of also found two of their houses [the Indians'] cov­ God, and a great mercy to this poor people, that ered with mats, and sundry of their implements in here they got seed to plant them corn the next them, but the people were run away and could not year, or el se they might have starved, for they had

16 The Colonial Period: The Age of Faith ten of their principal men and some seamen, upon further discovery, intending to circulate that deep bay of Cape Cod. The weather was very cold and it froze so hard as the spray of the sea lighting on their coats; they were as if they had been glazed. Yet that night betimes they got down into the bottom of the bay, and as they drew near the shore they saw some ten or twelve Indians very busy about something. They landed about a league or two from them, and had much ado to put ~shol"e anywhere-it lay so full of flats. Being lan~~d,-ir~ grew late and they made themselves a barricado with logs and boughs as well-as-rlleY coulQ1rnhe time, and set out their sentinel and betook them to rest, and saw the smoke of the fire the savages made that night. When morning was come they divided their company, some to coast along the shore in the boat, and the rest marched through the woods to see the land, if any fit place might be for their dwelling. They came also to the place where they saw the Indians the night before, and found they had been cutting up a great fish like a gral11pus" being some two inches thick of fat like a 110g~ some pieces whereof they had left by the way. And the shallop found two more of these fishes dead on the sands, a thing usual after storms in that place, by reason of the great flats of sand that lie off. . . . From hence they departed and coasted all along but discerned no place likely for harbor; and there­ fore hasted to a place that their pilot (one Mr. Coppin, who had been in the country before) did assure them was a good harbor, which he had been in, and they might fetch it before night; of which they were glad, fodt began to be foul weather. After some hours' sailing, it began to snow and rain, and about the middle of the afternoon the wind increased and the sea became very rough, and they broke their rudder, and it was as much as two men could do to steer her with a couple of Pilgrim Society, Plymouth, Massachusetts. oars. But their pilot bade them be of good cheer, for he saw the harbor; but the storm increasing, none nor any likelihood to get any till the season and night drawing on, they bore what sail they had been past, as the sequel did manifest. Neither could to get in while they could see. But herewith is it likely they had had this if the first voyage had they broke their mast in three pieces and their sail not been made, for the ground was now all cov­ fell overboard in a very grown sea, so as they had ered with snow and hard frozen; but the Lord is like to have been cast away. Yet by God's mercy never wanting unto His in their greatest needs; let they recovered themselves and, having the flood His holy name have all the praise. [the tide] with them, struck into the harbor. But The month of November being spent in these when it came to, the pilot was deceived in the affairs, and much foul weather falling in, the 6th place, and said the Lord be merciful unto them, of December they sent out their shallop again with for his eyes never saw that place before; and he

William Bradford 17 and the master's mate would have run her ashore From in a cove full of breakers before the wind. But a Chapter 11 lusty seaman which steered bade those which The Starving Time rowed, if they were men, about with her or else they were all cast away; the which they did with [1620-1621] But that which was most sad and la­ speed. So he bid them be of good cheer and row mentable was that in two or three months' time lustily, for there was a fair sound before them, and half of their company died, especially in January he doubted not but they should find one place or and February, being the depth of winter, and want­ other where they might ride in safety. And though ing houses and othercomrorts;beinginfected with it was very dark and rained sore, yet in the end the scurvy and other diseaseswhich this long voy­ they got under the lee of a small island and re­ age and their inaccommodate condition had mained there all that night in safety. But they knew brought upon them. So as there died sometimes not this to be an island till morning, but were two or three of a day in the foresaid time, that of divided in their minds; some would keep the boat 100 and odd persons, scarce fifty remained. And for fear they might be amongst the Indians; others of these, in the time of most distress, there was were so wet and cold they could not endure, but but six or seven sound persons who to their great got ashore, and with much ado got fire (all things commendations, be it spoken, spared no pains being so wet); and the rest were glad to come to night nor day, but with abundance of toil and haz­ them, for after midnight the wind shifted to the ard of their own health, fetched them wood, made northwest and it froze hard. them fires, dressed them meat, made their beds, But though this had been a day and night of washed their loathsome clothes,' clothed and un­ much trouble and danger unto them, yet God gave clothed them: in a word, did all the homely and them a morning of comfort and refreshing (as usu­ necessary offices for them which dainty and ally He doth to His children), for the next day queasy stomachs cannot endure to hear named; was a fair, sunshining day, and they found them­ and all this willingly and cheerfully, without any selves to be on an island secure from the Indians, grudging in the least, showing herein their true where they might dry their stuff, fix their pieces, love unto their friends and brethren; a rare ex­ and rest themselves; and gave God thanks for His ample and worthy to be remembered. Two of mercies in their manifold deliverances. And this these seven were Mr. William Brewster, their rev­ being the last day of the week, they prepared there erend elder, and Myles Standish, their captain and to keep the Sabbath. military commander, to whom myself and many On Monday they sounded the harbor and found others were much beholden in our low and sick it fit for shipping, and marched into the land and condition. And yet the Lord so upheld these per­ found divers cornfields and little running brooks, sons as in this general calamity they were not at a place (as they supposed) fit for situation. At least all infected either with sickness or lameness. And it was the best they could find, and the season and what I have said of these I may say of many others their present necessity made them glad to accept who died in this general visitation, and others yet of it. So they returned to their ship again with this living; that whilst they had health, yea, or any news to the rest of their people, which did much strength continuing, they were not wanting to any comfort their hearts. that had need of them. And I doubt not but their On the 15th of December they weighed anchor recompense is with the Lord. to go to the place they had discovered, and came But I may not here pass by another remarkable within two leagues of it, but were fain to bear up passage not to be forgotten. As this calamity fell again; but the 16th day, the wind came fair, and among the passengers that were to be left here to they arrived safe in this harbor. And afterward plant, and were hasted ashore and made to drink took better view of the place, and resolved where water that the seamen might have the more beer, to pitch their dwelling; and the 25th day began to and one l6 in his sickness desiring but a small can erect the first house for common use to receive of beer, it was answered that if he were their own them and their goodS. 15 father he should have none. The disease began to

15. This text is the only account written by a participant of 16. This is Bradford himself. the famous landing at Plymouth Rock on December 11, 1620.

18 The Colonial Period: The Age of Faith fall amongst them [the seamen] also, so as almost their tools where they had been at work and were half of their company died before they went away, gone to dinner. But about the 16th of March, a and many of their officers and lustiest men, as the certain Indian came boldly amongst them and boatswain, gunner, three quartermasters, the spoke to them in broken English, which they could cook, and others. At which the master was some­ well understand but marveled at it. At length they thing strucken and sent to the sick ashore and told understood, by discourse with him, that he was the governor he should send for beer for them that not of these parts but belonged to the eastern parts had need of it, though he drank water homeward where some English ships came to fish, with bound. whom he was acquainted and could name sundry But now amongst his [the ship master's] com­ of them by their names, amongst whom he had pany there was far another kind of carriage in this got his language. He became profitable to them in misery than amongst the passengers. For they that acquainting them with many things concerning the before had been boon companions in drinking and state of the country in the east parts where he jollity in the time of their health and welfare began lived, which was afterward profitable unto them; now to desert one another in this calamity, saying as also of the people here, of their names, number, they would not hazard their lives for them, they and strength, of their situation and distance from should be infected by coming to help them in their this place, and who was chief amongst them. His cabins; and so, after they came to lie by it, would name was Samoset. 17 He told them also of another do little or nothing for them but, "If they died, let Indian whose name was Squanto, 18 a native of this them die." But such of the passengers as were yet place, who had been in England and could speak aboard showed them what mercy they could, better English than himself. which made some of their hearts relent, as the Being, after some time of entertainment and boatswain (and some others), who was a proud gifts, dismissed, a while after he came again, and young man and would often curse and scoff at the five more with him, and they brought again all the passengers. But when he grew weak, they had tools that were stolen away before, and made way compassion on him and helped him; then he con­ for the coming of their great Sachem, called Mas­ fessed he did not deserve it at their hands, he had sasoit. 19 Who, about four or five days after, came abused them in word and deed. "Oh!" (saith he) with the chief of his friends and other attendance, "you, I now see, show your love like Christians with the aforesaid Squanto. With whom, after indeed one to another, but we let one another lie friendly entertainment and some gifts given him, and die like dogs." Another lay cursing his wife, they made a peace with him (which hath now saying if it had not been for her he had never come continued this 24 years)20 in these terms: this unlucky voyage, and anon cursing his fellows, 1. That neither he nor any of his should injure saying he had done this and that for some of them; or do hurt to any of their people. he had spent so much and so much amongst them, 2. That if any of his did hurt to any of theirs, and they were now weary of him and did not help he should send the offender, that they might pun­ him, having need. Another gave his companion all ish him. he had, if he died, to help him in his weakness; 3. That if anything were taken away from any he went and got a little spice and made him a mess of theirs, he should cause it to be restored; and of meat once or twice. And because he died not they should do the like to his. so soon as he expected, he went among his fellows 4. If any did unjustly war against him, they and swore the rogue would cozen [cheat] him, he would aid him; if any did war against them, he would see him choked before he made him any should aid them. more meat; and yet the poor fellow died before 5. He should send to his neighbors confederates morning.

17. Sarnoset was an Algonquin from Maine. Indian Relations 18. Squanto was the sole survivor of the Pawtuckets. 19. Massasoit was the sachem (chief) of the Wampanoag and All this while the Indians came skulking about presided from a place called Sowarns , the present-day site of them, and would sometimes show themselves Barrington, Rhode Island. 20. The treaty was kept faithfully until the reign of Massasoit's aloof off, but when any approached near them, son Metacomet, known as King Philip by the colonists. See they would run away; and once they stole away Mary Rowlandson's narrative on page 24.

William Bradford 19 The First Thanksgiving by Jennie Brownscombe (1914). Oil. Pilgrim Society, Plymouth, Massachusetts. to certify them of this, that they might not wrong First Thanksgiving them, but might be likewise comprised in the con­ [1621] They began now to gather in the small har­ ditions of peace. vest they had, and to fit up their houses and dwell­ 6. That when their men came to them, they ings against winter, being all well recovered in should leave their bows and arrows behind them. health and strength and had all things in good After these things he returned to his place, plenty. For as some were thus employed in affairs called Sowams, some 40 miles from this place, but abroad, others were exercised in fishing, about Squanto continued with them and was their inter­ cod and bass and other fish, of which they took preter and was a special instrument sent of God good store, of which every family had their por­ for their good beyond their expectation. He di­ tion. All the summer there was no want; and now rected them how to set their corn, where to take began to come in store of fowl, as winter ap­ fish and to procure other commodities, and was proached, of which this place did abound when also their pilot to bring them to unknown places they came first (but afterward decreased by de­ for their profit, and never left them till he died. grees). And besides waterfowl there was great He was a native of this place, and scarce any left store of wild turkeys, of which they took many, alive besides himself. He was carried away with \ besides venison, etc. Besides they had about a divers others by one Hunt, a master of a ship, peck of meal a week to a person, or now since who thought to sell them for slaves in Spain. But harvest, Indian corn to that proportion. Which he got away for England and was entertained by made many afterward write so largely of their a merchant in London, and employed to New­ plenty here to their friends in England, which were foundland and other parts, and lastly brought not feigned but true reports. hither into these parts by one Mr. Dermer, a gen­ tleman employed by Sir Ferdinando Gorges and others for discovery and other designs in these parts....

20 The Colonial Period: The Age of Faith Responding to the History

Analyzing the History A Critical Response 2. Contrasting Two Historical Accounts. Captain John Identifying Facts Smith (1579-1631) had led the first permanent Eng­ 1. Historian Samuel Eliot Morison has said that "Brad­ lish settlement in the New World, at Jamestown, Vir­ ford ... had a constant sense of an unseen hand ... ginia, in 1607. He hoped to establish another colony that seemed to be guiding Puritan policy." What in New England, and in order to attract settlers, he events on the voyage to the New World does Bradford wrote a pamphlet. Here is how Smith, somewhat like credit to the direct intervention of God? a contemporary travel agent, attempted to persuade 2. According to the end of Chapter 9, what hardships people to join him in the New World: and dangers still face the settlers after the voyage is over? According to Bradford, what is the one thing that can sustain the group during these trials? Here nature and liberty afford us that freely which in 3. The famous entry in Chapter 10 reports in detail on England we want, or it costs us dearly. What pleasure the Pilgrims' first landing in the New World. What can be more than (being tired with any occasion events during those first explorations does Bradford ashore) in planting vines, fruits, or herbs, in contriving credit to God's Providence? their own grounds, to the pleasure of their own minds, 4. Bradford wrote his history of the "Old Comers" in part their fields, gardens, orchards, buildings, ships, and for the newcomers, the young people who, he hoped, other works, etc., to re-create themselves before their would carryon the Pilgrims' ideals. What acts of char­ own doors, in their own boats upon the sea, where ity and kindness during the "Starving Time" (Chapter man, woman, and child, with a small hook and line, 11) would remind later Puritans of their uniqueness by angling, may take divers sorts of excellent fish at and their obligations to their community? their pleasures? And is it not pretty sport to pull up two pence, six pence, and twelve pence as fast as you can haul and veer a line? He is a very bad fisher [who] Interpreting Meanings cannot kill in one day with his hook and line one, two, 5. Consider the treaty drawn up with Massasoit (page or three hundred cods, which dressed and dried, if 19), and explain whether or not you feel its terms they be sold there for ten shillings the hundred were equally favorable to both parties. What seems to [pounds], though in England they will give more than be Bradford's attitude toward the Indians? twenty, may not both the servant, the master, and 6. There is a certain timelessness in the Pilgrims' story. merchant be well content with this gain? If a man work What practical and ethical problems common to many but three days in seven, he may get more than he can societies are reflected in their experience? In what spend, unless he will be excessive.... ways might this wilderness experience be relevant to For hunting also, the woods, lakes, and rivers afford contemporary pilgrims or pioneers? not only chase sufficient for any that delight in that 7. One event that Bradford does not describe is the death kind of toil or pleasure, but such beasts to hunt that of his wife, who either fell or jumped overboard in besides the delicacy of their bodies for food, their skins Provincetown Harbor. How would his history have are so rich as may well recompense thy daily labor with been different if he had included this tragedy? What a captain's pay. reasons can you propose for his having omitted it? -from "A Description of New England," 1616, 8. Using what you have read, comment on the famous John Smith painting on page 20. Do you think it is realistic? Or does it idealize the First Thanksgiving? Write a brief essay in which you contrast John Smith's promises with William Bradford's actual experiences in Writing About the History the New World. Begin by contrasting the purposes of the two writers and their intended audiences. Then mention A Creative Response at least three idealistic promises Smith makes and con­ 1. Using Another Point of View. Retell the events of Chap­ trast these with Bradford's real experiences. You may also ter 10 from the poi nt of view of one of the Native want to point out what Smith omits from his pamphlet. Americans who came upon the scouts. Narrate on Iy Finally, describe the different kinds of newcomers each what the observer would see happening and what you writer was likely to attract, and explain the reasons for imagine he or she might be feeling. your answer.

William Bradford 21