The Traditional American Thanksgiving Story
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 ...