lntroduction: The Vine oflsrael ・ s 0 こ可 s わ eg れれ gs 0 砒 e 市れ gs ん佖 e been produced わ 4 んなん佖 d 砒襯佖 e au れ gs 可 0 0 , 佖 gives われ 0 0 〃市を gs 市佖佖 , ・ 0 れ d one s 襯佖〃 c 佖襯 e 佖 4 1 ん佖 0 s 佖 d , so the I 厩ん e kindled ん硯ん shone to 2 れれ既 ye 佖れ SO 色 e SO e 0 0 ) ん ol,e 佖 0 れ , ・ let the 0 0 s 佖襯 e 可 e ん 0 佖 ん佖 0 〃 the 盟佖な e. ' William Bradford The Pilgrim story is an astonishing saga of hero ic men and women battling agamst the elements tO realize an impossible dream. If a modern writer presented the story a novel he may have difficulty finding a publisher, the epic drama seems inconceivable. But the adventures of this brave little band struggling towards their noble goal were all true. As a tale it is dramatic Homer's mythical UIysses fighting his way back home from Troy t0 lthaca; and a story it is more lmportant, because the story 0f the miracle Of the PiIgrims' settlement is alSO the story Of the miracle Of America. When the Pilgrims founded their settlement at Plymouth ⅲ 1620 , they planted se eds from which modern America grew. The character 0f that original settlement, more than anything else, has mfluenced the fundamental character 0f Americans and their way Of life. ConsequentIy the story Of the PiIgrims is 0f great significance tO every modern . American. The period in which the PiIgrims lived was oppressive. PeopIe were burnt at the stake for saying things that upset the church or state authorities. There was no freedom 0f religion. People died for believing ⅲ the wrong GOd. ln fact the Spanish lnquisition was developed t0 hunt down and torture people wh0 were suspected Of not having the right religious beliefs. The Roman Cath01ic church dominated the world and the armies 0f Europe enforced its rules and regulations. The Thirty Years War tore Europe apart during the period CathoIics and Protestants fought over the fundamental questions Of religion. For decades it was an uncertain and violent world the Spanish

21 April 24 April 25 April 27 ApriI 12 May 114 survive: 'Some EngIish seed they sew, wheat & pease, but it came not tO good, eather by the badnes 0f the seed, or latenes of the season, or bOth, or some other defecte'. As if all the deaths of the rank and file were not enough, tragedy agam struck the little settlement when the popular PiIgrim leader was cut down by the insidious sickness that had eaten away at them from the start. Bradford said death struck during a warm spring day when most people were out in the fields: 'WhiIst they were bussie about their seed, their Govr (Mr. J0hn Carver) camne out of the feild very sick, it being a hott day; he complained greatly of his head, and lay downe, and within a few howers his sences failed'. Although Doctor Fuller and others did all they could Governor Carver never spake more till he dyed' and 、 his death was much lamented, and caused great heavines amongst them, ther was cause'. With their religious leader J0hn R0binson still in Leyden and their foundation Governor dead the PiIgrims could now have broken up a group had it not been for their discipline and resolve. Other men with initiative then organized a formal funeral with what pomp and ceremony could be mustered. Bradford said Governor Carver was then 'buried in the best maner they could, with some vollies of shott by all that bore armes'. After the sermon however a grim sile nce hung over the p athetic little community. N0b0dy's life seemed safe. The Pilgrims assembled to select a new Governor. After some debate they selected the official scribe, WilIiam Bradford. ln time Bradford turned out tO be an excellent choice and was from then on re-elected year after year, even though he was not exactly fit and well himself at the time and needed a helper; he reported himself: 'WiIIiam Bradford was chosen Governor in his stead, and being not yet recovered Of his ilness, in which he had been near the point Of death lsaak AIIerton was chosen t0 be an Asistante untO him, who, by renewed election every year, continued sundry years togeather, which I hear note once for all lt was lmportant that the living continue tO regroup and reproduce; Spring was celebrated with 'the first mariage in this place', Bradford said, when the widowed Winslow married Susanna White whose husband had died ⅲ February. The wedding was a happy moment for the settlement and, being practical people, it'was thought most requisite t0 be performed by the

1 December 4 December 5 December and, on these, they hung their P0ts. The lndians lay around the fire on mats which served their beds. The houses were double-matted being matted without and also within, with newer and 、 fairer' mats. As for the furniture and fittings, they found wooden bowls, trays, and dishes; earthen pots; hand baskets made 0f crab shells and also an EngIish pail or bucket which lacked a bail, but had two iron ears. There were aISO baskets 0f different sorts curiously made with black and white threads. The PiIgrims also found two or three deers' heads - ー one which had been recently killed, for it was still fresh. WinsIow said they also saw a company' of deer's feet stuck up ⅲ the houses along with horns and eagles' claws. There were also two or three baskets 血Ⅱ 0f parched acorns, pieces 0f fish, and a piece of a broiled herring. They found also a little silk grass, and a little tobacco seed with some other seeds which they could not recogmze. AIthough they could have expected t0 find some more food, they could only find some rotting meat. A disappointed WinsIow said they found inside a hollow tree, two or three pieces Of venison but thought it fitter for the dogs than for them. NevertheIess rather than return empty- handed, the Pilgrims decided to take the most valuable items 仕 om the lndian homes. WinsIow confessed that they t00k away some of the best things W1th them but left the houses standing they were. As darkness fell the PiIgrims hurried back t0 the ship. WinsIow announced that they had planned tO leave some beads and 0ther things in the houses a sign Of peace and that they meant tO trade with the lndians but they had no time. However soon they could meet up with the lndians they would give them 血Ⅱ satisfaction. The PiIgrims, all now back on the ship, had been in the colony for three weeks. The exploring party showed all the goods that they had taken 仕 om the graves and the houses t0 the Other PiIgrims. By now they were beginning tO have some understandmg Of their emnronment through some idea 0f the local rivers and the settlement patterns Of the lndians but yet they still had not selected a site for the settlement. Edward Thompson, the servant tO WiIIiam White, became the first Pilgrim t0 die in Cape C0d Harbor. A party t00k him ashore and dug a grave at Long P0int, which was the start 0f a sad little graveyard. Even though new Pilgrims had been born, with his death, their numbers still stood at 102. On this their twenty-fifth day ⅲ the colony, the Pilgrims nearly lost another person through the foolishness 0f a boy wh0 was playing with gunpowder. Winslow related that Francis Billington, the son of J0hn BiIIington, escaped a great danger ⅲ his father's absence when he found some gunpowder and a fowling piece charged and had shot the gun 0ff ⅲ his father's cabin. 77

4 February 9 February 11 February 16 February bors. WinsIow described that ⅲ the morning the Master and some others saw two lndians on the island near their sh1P. What they had come for, they could not tell. The lndians retreated as fast they appeared and the Pilgrims were not able t0 speak with them. The bad weather continued and now threatened the partially-empty 佖″ owe WinsIow said it was very wet and rainy with the greatest gusts 0f wind that they had ever had since arrivmg. Although they rode ⅲ a very good harbor, the ship was in great danger because, with the goods taken 0ff, she lacked ballast. She began t0 be blown about at her anchor dangerously. The stormy weather also caused much daubing of their houses to fall down. The bad conditions continued. More people died. But WinsIow said long the bad weather continued they could dO little work and were unable tO construct all the warm shelters that were necessary. Y/hen b ad we ather was not undermining their efforts other ca- lamaties seemed tO befall them. Once again a fire broke out ⅲ the roof Of a hut they were usmg t0 shelter some Of their sick people. This time however they were able tO act much faster and the fire was put out before any great harm was done. On a better note, Captain Jones bagged some game. He shot five geese which he kindly distributed among the sick people. He found also a deer killed by the lndians wh0 had cut 0ff the horns and although a wolf was eating it when he came across it, he still brought it home. The Pilgrims had now been ⅲ Cape Cod Harbor for two months. They had found a suitable place for their settlement and, despite the house fires, had made a good start building substantial community and private homes ー but the cost 0f the vanous delays was provmg enormous. SO many more deaths occurred during this period that they began t0 fear for their survival a group. Although it was a fair day, the northerly wind continued did the frost. WinsIow related that ⅲ the afternoon one Of their people went looking for fowls. Having taken up position ⅲ the reeds by the creek side about a mile and a half om the PIantation, he saw twelve lndians, marching towards their settlement. AISO ⅲ the woods , he heard the noise Of 、 many more . He lay quietly till they had passed and then ran back t0 raise the m. AII the PiIgrims fell back int0 the settlement and armed them- selves. They waited, but the lndians did not show up. FOIIowmg this, they had their first possessions stolen by the lndians. WinsIow wrote that C aptain Myles Standish and Francis C ooke , having been working ⅲ the woods, returned home for lunch and left their tools 97

11 December Forefathers' Day 12 December 13 December 14 December 15 December 86 仕 om the lndians and the storm. Bradford: 'and this being the last day of the weeke, they prepared ther to keepe the Sabath'. Apart from this they tried tO dry Off, keep warm by the fire and discussed where else they could IOOk for a settlement site. SadIy, four more people then died back at the ship ーー three from disease and a fourth by drowning. This brought the Pilgrim population down tO ninety-five. Starting out early in their boat the exploring party headed west across Duxbury Bay towards PIymouth where fortunately Bradford recounted that 、 they sounded the harbor, and founde it fitt for shipping' which meant that M 佖の w and 0ther ships could get into this part Of the bay. Encouraged by this good deep water close t0 the shore they decided tO disembark and see if the soil was suitable for a settlement. AIthough they may have been quite unaware 0f this historic moment, they then beached the boat at PIymouth Rock 'and marched intO the land' at the very spot where they would subsequently establish Plymouth itself. Their hopes rose as they found all the right conditions for a settlement site, including 'diverse cornfeilds, & litle runing brooks' which made them decide, according t0 Bradford, that this was 'a place ( they supposed) fitt for situation; at least it was the best they could find, and the reason, & their presente necessitie, made them glad tO accepte Of it'. Most Of the PiIgrims agreed that this was the best spot they had seen ⅲ the month or SO they had been searching around Cape COd B . Bradford described how they clambered back into their boat and 'returned tO their shipp againe with this news tO the rest Of their people, which did much comforte their harts' Captain Standish, William Bradford and 0ther Pilgrims om the explor- mg party spent the day convincing members 0f the anti-Cape COd group that PIymouth would be the best spot for a village, while others began tO pack up their belongings ⅲ anticipation 0f the move ashore. They decided t0 leave the ship where she was and sail and row the twenty-five miles west across Cape C0d Harbor t0 Plymouth ⅲ the open boat. The first landing party was selected and this group then made the final preparations for the journey across the bay t0 their new home. Although the Pilgrims had finally chosen the spot t0 build their village the weather conditions continued tO frustrate them. Bradford: 'they wayed anchor t0 goe t0 the place they had discovered, & came within 2 leagues Of it, but were faine t0 bear up again'. SO they had t0 turn back and try again the next day.

17 November 72 of that supposed river they came to seeck'. Bradford also noted that the Pamet River branched intO a second stream the Little Pamet River or Hopkins Creek, overlooked by Tom's BIuff and that there were empty canoes on the banks on each side 0f the river indicating that lndians crossed at this pomt. This river 'unto which they wente and found it to open it selfe intO 2 armes with a high cliffe 0f sand ⅲ the enterance, but more like tO be crikes Of salte water then any fresh, for ought they saw; and that ther was good harborige for their shalope; leaving it further to be discovered by their shalop when she was ready'. The expedition had been commanded tO be away for no more than two days SO they pitched a final camp that night at a freshwater pond making a great fire and building a barricade. Three sentries kept watch throughout the night during which it hardly stopped raining. The Pilgrims had now been ⅲ the colony a week. Confused and weak, the members Of the fourth expedition now lost their way they tried tO return tO the ship. WhiIe they were lost Bradford stepped into an lndian tree sapling trap. WinsIow said that they came tO a tree where a young sapling was bent over tO form a trap with some acorns strewed about. AIthough some Of them understood what it was and Stephen Hopkins said that it had been set t0 catch some deer, Others were less wary and as they were looking at it, WiIIiam Bradford came up the rear and walked right into it. The sapling gave a sudden jerk upwards and Bradford was immedately pulled up intO the air by the leg. Despite Bradford's distress, WinsIow was lmpressed with the trap and claimed that it was well made any English mo del he had ever seen. Once they cut the sorry Bradford down the PiIgrims continued looking for their way back t0 the ship. This was not easy and by the time they got out 0f the WOOd they were a mile t00 high above the creek. There they saw three bucks, some partridges and, they came along by a creek, they noticed great flocks 0f wild geese and ducks. WinsIow said the birds were very fearful of them. By now out 0f f00d and water, the PiIgrim party was desperate t0 reach the M 佖″ 0 e SO they marched some through the woods, along the sands, and waded through the water up tO their knees, till, at length, they sighted the sh1P. Relieved t0 spot their companions, the land expedition then signalled t0 be rescued and the long boat came tO fetch them. WinsIow said that Master Jones and Master Carver, being on shore at the time also came tO meet them. So their first major expedition inland was a great success. They had seen their first lndians; gained some idea Of the lndian camps and explored Other settlements in the area; discovered hOW the lndians buried their dead and hid their corn; and had brought some Of the latter back tO the settlement the first real produce 0f the land. Winslow said that they then delivered the corn intO the store, tO be kept for seed

19 January 21 January 22 January 24 January 29 January 30 January 31 January 96 The PiIgrim builders now decided they ne ede d a larger common house for supplies, SO m spite Of more bad weather, made a start on a new shelter. WinsIow said they held a meeting where they resolved to make this 'Shed' because there were too many supplies for one common house; already there were supplies sitting on shore. Most of the day, however, it rained and they could not work. Here Winslow described how the ill-fated John Goodman ーー whose feet were still suffering from the time he got lost now 、 for another walk a short way 仕 om the settlement. He had with him a little spaniel. TWO wolves, seeing the dog, ran after it. The dog fled to Goodman for protection but he did not have anything to protect even himself with. He picked up a stick and threw it at them, managing to hit one. That didn't stop them; indeed it was only when he managed to find a stout piece 0f paling' that they stopped harassing him and the dog. The two wolves just sat on their tails, grmning' at him for a time before finally trotting off. As usual the faithful Pilgrims kept the Sabbath but this time they could hold their meeting on land. With an increasing number of PiIgrims falling sick and dying ⅲ the cold and wet exposed settlement, Elder Brewster prayed for a halt t0 the deaths that were depleting the settle- ment. Soon there would not be enough men tO form a proper guard. WinsIow wrote that the building program continued successfully despite the sick and dying and they were at last able t0 move f00d intO the new storehouse. He said it was a fair day, SO they were alSO able tO work on their own houses. According to Winslow the Pilgrims now had a series of a good build- ing days. He reported that the rest 0f the week they 'followed their business' with great energr. More supplies were brought ashore. WinsIow said the day started out ⅲ the morning with cold frost and sleet but after warm sun became reasonably fair. B0th the long boat and the shallop brought their common goods on shore. SadIy, back on the M 佖″ 0 , the wife Of Captain Standish, Mistress Rose, died. The building continued despite freezing weather. Another Pilgrim passed away. WinsIow said it was such a cold day with SO much sleet that they could not work. January had been a terrible month, during which many Of their people had died and now they were less than seventy. Then at last the Pilgrims caught a glimpse 0f their Plymouth neigh-

decided t0 call th1S place, which was right in the middle of the Eastham area, 'the place Of the first encounter . The Pilgrims did not think they were especially lucky to survive they believed G0d had given them special deliverance from the arrows. They claimed it was symbolic that, although their coats left hangmg ⅲ the trees were riddled with arrow hOles, they themselves went unharmed. Bradford said they had escaped 'by his spetiall provid- ence' and that G0d had protected them ensuring that 'not any one Of them were either hurte, or hitt, though their arrows came close by them, & on every side them, and sundry 0f their coats, which hunge up ⅲ the barricado, were shot throw & throw'. The party might have survived their first fight with the lndians but, even SO , they were still no clO ser tO finding a sp Ot on shore tO build their homes. They had been in the colony a month, an mcreasing number 0f people were sick and dying back on the crowded and infected M 佖″ ow and yet the men still dithered about looking for the ideal settlement spot. On the return of this latest land expedition, ⅲ fact, the explorers heard that a fourth person had died, James Chilton, whO was the head 0f a family household. His death reduced the PiIgrim numbers tO ninety-nine. If they did not move on shore and intO warm shelter soon their numbers would be seriously reduced and they would lack the labor t0 carve a settlement out Of the wilderness. Finding a settlement spot suddenly became a matter Of extreme urgency.

25 December 26 December 27 December 28 December 90 when some 0f the people on shore heard a cry from some hidden savages. The guards raised the alarm and all those on shore stOOd on their guard, expecting an assault. But all was quiet. Another child, S010mon Prower, died on board the Ma ″ 0 while waiting tO move ashore intO a warm and clean home. His death reduced their numbers tO ninety-three. Then on Christmas Day ー which to the Pilgrims had little of the significance it has for latter day Americans - ー they finally made a start on the first houses. Bradford reported that 、 the 25 day begane to erecte the first house for commone use tO receive them and their goods'. This twenty-foot-square house was initially tO house people sleeping ashore and tO be a store house for the fOOd supplies. WinsIow said it was a busy scene on shore some felling timber, some sawmg 、 , some carrying. He said no man rested all that d . As darkness fell and storm clouds developed they once again feared an lndian attack; towards night, some Of them heard a noise which they feared was lndians. This sent them all diving for their muskets, but they heard no further noises they relaxed their guard. Some 0f the party went back on board for the night leaving a small guard on shore at the building site. Winslow said that night they had another fearful storm of wind and rain. The festive occasion did not escape totally unnoticed, however. WinsIow admitted a certain amount of 'seduction' by the ship's Captain. He said that on the Monday, Christmas Day, they drank water on board for most 0f the day but, at night, the Master encouraged them to have some beer. The Pilgrims had made an energetic start on their settlement, but this day bad weather again brought progress t0 a halt. WinsIow said it was such foul weather that they could not even go ashore. lnstead, they 'wasted' the day discussing their building plans and the layout 0f the settlement. The weather fined up. WinsIow said they clambered into the boat and went tO work again, cutting down trees for uprights, splitting logs intO planks and digging hole s for uprights. With another fine day the PiIgrim builders were able to make some progress sinking uprights and starting tO build the walls 0f their dwellings. Having selected Burial Hill a focal point for their town center because, Winslow explained, it had a good view and they could easily build a fortress around it for protection, the Pilgrims then designed a town on the seaside just below th1S protective hill. Leyden Street was tO be the main thoroughfare and houses either side would face each other.

3 March 1621 5 March 102 Brave Squant0 tO the Rescue March 刀ー」 anuary 22 believed that the better weather would encourage the lndians t0 attack. their t001s wher they had been at worke, & were gone t0 diner'. He 16 February 'skulking about the settlement' and 'once they stoale away Bradford said they had seen the first Plymouth lndians early become more adventurous. The Pilgrims prepared themselves tO fight. The warmer weather also brought danger now the lndians would 'sadly' ⅱⅡ midnight. for the first time since they had landed and after an hour it rained same day, Winslow said that at one o'clock the skies filled with thunder Not that the first PiIgrim spring brought perfect weather. On the the melting snows. have filled with tears 0f joy the first spring flowers burst out through off half the PiIgrims and the eyes 0f the little band 0f survivors must Of rebirth had come at last putting an end t0 the misery that had killed fair weather; the birds sang ⅲ the woods most pleasantly. The season south and the morning was misty, but towards noon they had warm and Winslow said that on the third of March the wind came from the tion with much patience & contentednes'. it were new life int0 them; though they had borne their sadd afflic- cease amongst them, and the sick and lame recovered apace, which put 'the Spring now approaching, it pleased GOd the mortalitie begane tO appeared and the Pilgrims stopped dying. A grateful Bradford wrote: At last, after the terrible winter Of death, the early signs Of spring William Bradford set れ , 佖れ d after ん 0 ) dress & こ夜色 d れ . s 佖 s ん 0 をれ 0 肱夜れわ 0 市 the 襯佖れ e ん 0 servise Sq 佖れ s 0 こん e 2 蔔れ 0 e 佖 わ印佖盟厄れ CO 花 , をれ which 4 ″ e む佖 s 市 ey ()s 襯佖 4 as were 佖尻の