There were 102 passengers that left Plymouth, England on the ships, Mayflower and Speedwell, headed for the new world. It was September in the year 1620. Thirty-five or forty of the people were looking for a home with religious freedom. They were Puritans that were persecuted not only for breaking away from the Church of England, but also for their different beliefs. They called themselves 'Saints' but later came to be known as the Pilgrims.
The other passengers were lured to the new world by the promise of owning land and hopes of prosperity. They were called 'Strangers' by the religious group. A rich merchant agreed to loan the money for the voyage. The Virginia Company gave them permission to build a plantation in the new world. The king granted them permission to leave the Church of England.
Soon after setting sail, Speedwell began taking on water, and both ships had to turn back. Speedwell's occupants had to board the already crowded Mayflower. This setback caused the Mayflower to sail during the storm season. The waves were rough. One sailor was swept overboard. Many of the passengers became violently seasick and weak. The storms damaged the ship, and it began to leak.
A little over two months later, in mid-November, the Mayflower reached the new world. They had been blown off course and landed north of their destination at Cape Cod. About a month later, in mid-December, they crossed over Massachusetts Bay to the place that they named Plymouth. They lived on board ship during the winter while building the village. More than half of the settlers died from cold and lack of proper food.
The surviving passengers moved shore at Plymouth Rock in March 1621. Not long afterwards, an English speaking Indian walked into the village. His name was Samoset. He later introduced them to another English speaking Indian named Squanto.
Squanto taught the new settlers how to fish, hunt, tap maple trees for the sweet sap,and what plants were safe to eat. He also taught them how plant corn, beans, and pumpkins. Squanto lived in Plymouth. Through him, the settlers met and formed a friendship with Massasoit, the chief of the Wampanoag tribe.
After a bountiful harvest in November 1621, Governor William Bradford declaired that they should have a celebration. He invited Wampanoag chief Massasoit. Four men were sent hunting for foul and bagged enough for about a week. Massasoit and about 90 braves attended. They brought four deer. The feast lasted for three days.
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