Brief sketch of the character and sufferings of the Pilgrims who settled at Plymouth

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BRIEF SKETCH

OP THE

CHARACTERS AND SUFFERINGS

OF THE

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WHO SETTLED AT PLYMOUTH, DEC. 1620.

BOSTON :

PRINTED BY JOHN H. A. FROST
Congress-Street.

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THE PILGRIMS.

THE settlement at Plymouth, in Dec. 1620, by a com-
pany of Englishmen, a civilized and christian people, not
only displayed the most resolute and disinterested quali-
ties in the characters of the individuals who effected it ;
but has produced the most extensive and salutary benefits
to the present generation, and the great family of man.
They were zealous advocates for religious and civil
liberty. For their adherance to those unalienable
rights, they suffered every thing which human nature
could endure ; and for the furtherance of their holy pur-
pose, they left their native land, and planted themselves
in a soUtary and unexplored wilderness. They were not
a set of adventurers, seeking sordid gain — they were not
political levellers, opposed to social order, or the legiti-
mate authority of government. Nor were they ignorant
fanatics, boasting of needless mortification, or hostile to
human learning. They had studied the great subject of
religious freedom, and were ready to endure all things,
and to lose all things else, to secure, and to extend this
great blessing. Their history is well known. They
were first persecuted in their own country, they were

pilgrims and sojourners for ten or twelve years in a
strange land. They dared the dangers of the ocean, and
of the wilderness to make way for their children and
their posterity to enjoy unmolested the right of thinking
for themselves, and of worshiping God solely according
to his own most holy word.

The place to which they came, at the beginning of a
long inclement season, was much less pleasant and fertile
than the banks of the Hudson, for which they intended.
But the treachery of man followed them on the ocean —
and they were obliged to make their residence on a bleak
and boisterous coast, in an exposed harbour, and where
no friendly help was nigh to protect and comfort them.

But trusting in God, this little band of pious heroes
was sustained ; they increased and prospered. Among
them were many characters of great experience, prudence
and virtue. Some of them were men of good education,
and the most were far above the common class of Euro-
peans of that period. They knew the necessity of order
in society ; they early enacted laws to encourage and re-
ward industry and temperance ; they established schools
for the education of youth — and above all, they were
most solicitous to maintain the gospel ministry, and to
provide for the religious instruction and improvement of
the great body of the people by a learned and pious
Clergy.

The good effects of these institutions and principles
have been felt through every succeeding generation —

and to them indeed, must wc refer for the general intelU-
gence, virtue and republican sentiments which have since
pervaded our happy country.

Mr. Carver was their first Governor — he was a man oi
great prudence and sound judgment ; and enjoyed the
confidence and affection of the company in an eminent
degree. Before they left Holland, on several occasions,
he had been their agent to Britain, and proved himself
an able and faithful advocate of their cause. He died in
May following their settlement.

Gov. Bradford who succeeded Carver, was of a good
family in the North of England — he had a knowledge of
the ancient, learned languages, and was well acquainted
with general history, and the polemic divinity of that day.
He is also said to have been a very discreet, judicious,
firm and prudent Magistrate. He was Governor from
1621 to 1657, the time of his death, excepting four years,
when he declined the office ; two of which Prince, and
two, WiNSLOW was Governor. His descendants are very
numerous, and are spread over most parts of the United
States.

William Brewster, whom they called " the Elder," was
educated at the University in England ; and had sustained
several important public offices under the British govern-
ment. He is said to have been very learned, especially
on theological subjects and in philology. But his great
praise was, piety to God, and a corresponding desire to
promote the cause of genuine religion. He was the old-

est of the company, being nearly 60 when they first set-
tled at Plymouth. When they were without an ordain-
ed minister, he regularly and ably performed religious
service — and his instructions were blessed to the spiritual
good of many. He died in 164-^, aged 83 years, greatly
lamented and respected. For several generations, his
descendants remained in Plymouth Colony — afterwards,
some of them moved to Lebanon and Preston, in Connec-
ticut. Since the days of the apostles, perhaps there has
not been an individual more pious, more disinterested, or
more esteemed. He was worthy to be the disciple and
colleague of the celebrated Robinson.

Edward Winsloav was one of the most respectable and
influential of the company of the Pilgrims, as well on ac-
count of his intelligence and virtue, as for his propert}',
which was greater than any of the first settlers. Hop-
kins and Allerton were next, in point of property. —
Gov. Winslow's family connexions in England were very
respectable — he had been well educated, and was possess-
ed of abilities sufficient not only to govern this infant
Colony of puritans, but to assist in manageing the con-
cerns of a great people or nation. He was twice elected
Governor, and had he survived Mr. Bradford, no doubt
would have been chosen first Magistrate for many years.
In 1648 or 9, he went to England as agent for the Colony
— entered into the service of the Commonwealth under
Cromwell, who sent him a Commission with the fleet to
Jamaica, where he died in 1654. His descendants of
every generation have been heroes and statesmen.

Miles Standish, one of this worthy band, was a milita-
ry character, a man of great enterprize and bravery. —
He had been a soldier in Flanders. Under Providence,
he was their shield and their defence. The hostile sava-
ges bled beneath his sword, and the European adventurer
was subdued by his mighty prowess. He was son of a
younger brother of a noble family — and on the death of
the elder, without issue, he was rightful heir to a great
estate — but he never inherited it. There are but few of
his descendants, who bear his name now, in N. England.

Gov. Prince was a man of great influence from the first
settlement of the place, and his character much respected.
His whole life was devoted to the service of the planta-
tion— In the lifetime of Mr. Bradford, he was twice
chosen Governor ; and after his death in 165,7, he was
elected many years, and was Chief Magistrate of the
Colony when he died in 1673.

John Alden, Samuel Fuller, John Howland, William
White, Stephen Hopkins, and Richard Warren, were also
among those who assisted in building up the settlement
at Plymouth, and were the advisers of the Governor, or
the companions of Standish in regulating and defending
the plantation. J. Alden was an assistant from 1638 to
1636, the time of his death, when he was 88 years old.
S. Fuller was a dea.con of the Church, and an eminent
Physician. The descendants of Warren have been men
of influence and respectability in the County of Ply-
mouth : and some of those of S. Hopkins have held im*
portant public offices in the State of R. Island.

The names ot those who signed the civil compact, in
Cape-Cod Harbour, Nov. 1G20, were as follows, viz. : —
PILGRIMS.

John Carver,
William Bradford,
Edward VViuslow,
William Brewster,
Isaac AUerton,
Miles Standish,
John Alden,
John Turner,
Francis Eaton,
James Chilton,
John Craxtun,
John Billington,
Joses Fletcher,
John Goodman,
Samuel Fuller,
Christopher Martin,
William Mullins,
William White,
Richard Warren,
John Howland,
Stephen Hopkins,

Digory Priest,
Thomas Williams,
Gilbert Winslow,
Peter Brown,
Edmund IMargesson,
G<v rge Scule,
Richard Bitteridge,
Edward Tilly,
John Tilly,
Francis Cooke,
Thomas Rogers,
Thomas Tinker,
John Rin<;dale,
Edward Fuller,
Richard Clark,
Richard Gardiner,
John Allerton,
Thomas English,
E.I ward Doten,
Edward Leister.

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