The Mayflower and Her Log - Chapter IX



CHAPTER IX.
THE JOURNAL OF THE SHIP MAY-FLOWER July 1620 to April 1621

Thomas Jones, Master, from London, England, towards "Hudson's River" in 
Virginia. 

[The voyage of the MAY-FLOWER began at London, as her consort's did at 
Delfshaven, and though, as incident to the tatter's brief career, we have 
been obliged to take note of some of the happenings to the larger ship and 
her company (at Southampton, etc.), out of due course and time, they have 
been recited only because of their insuperable relation to the consort and 
her company, and not as part of the MAY-FLOWER'S own proper record] 

SATURDAY, July 15/25, 1620
Gravesend. Finished lading. Got passengers aboard and got under way for 
Southampton. Dropped down the Thames to Gravesend with the tide. 

[Vessels leaving the port of London always, in that day, "dropped down 
with the tide," tug-boats being unknown, and sail-headway against the tide 
being difficult in the narrow river.] 

Masters Cushman and Martin, agents of the chartering--party, came aboard 
at London. 

SUNDAY, July 16/26
Gravesend. Channel pilot aboard. Favoring wind. 

MONDAY, July 17/27
In Channel. Course D.W. by W. Favoring wind. 

TUESDAY, July 18/28
In Channel. Southampton Water. 

WEDNESDAY, July 19/29
Southampton Water. Arrived at Southampton and came to anchor. 

[Both ships undoubtedly lay at anchor a day or two, before hauling in to 
the quay. The MAY-FLOWER undoubtedly lay at anchor until after the 
SPEEDWELL arrived, to save expense] 

THURSDAY, July 20/30
Lying at Southampton off north end of "West Quay." 

FRIDAY, July 21/31
Lying at Southampton. Masters Carver, Cushman, and Martin, three of the 
agents here. Outfitting ship, taking in lading, and getting ready for sea. 

SATURDAY, July 22/Aug 1
Lying off Quay, Southampton. 

SUNDAY, July 23/Aug 2
Lying off Quay, Southampton. 

MONDAY, July 24/Aug 3
Lying off Quay, Southampton. 

TUESDAY, July 25/Aug 4
Lying off Quay, Southampton. Waiting for consort to arrive from Holland. 

WEDNESDAY, July 26/Aug 5
Lying off Quay, Southampton. Pinnace SPEEDWELL, 60 tons, Reynolds, Master, 
from Delfshaven, July 22, consort to this ship, arrived in harbor, having 
on board some 70 passengers and lading for Virginia. She came to anchor 
off north end "West Quay." 

THURSDAY, July 27/Aug. 6
Lying at Quay, Southampton, SPEEDWELL warped to berth at Quay near the 
ship, to transfer lading. 

[Some of the cargo of the SPEEDWELL is understood to have been here 
transferred to the larger ship; doubtless the cheese, "Hollands," and 
other provisions, ordered, as noted, by Cushman] 

FRIDAY, July 28/Aug. 7
Lying at Quay, Southampton, Much parleying and discontent among the 
passengers. 

[Bradford gives an account of the bickering and recrimination at 
Southampton, when all parties had arrived. Pastor Robinson had rather too 
strenuously given instructions, which it now began to be seen were not 
altogether wise. Cushman was very much censured, and there was evidently 
some acrimony. See Cushman's Dartmouth letter of August 17 to Edward 
Southworth, Bradford's Historie, Mass. ed. p. 86.] 

SATURDAY, July 29/Aug. 8
Lying at Quay, Southampton. Some of the passengers transferred from 
SPEEDWELL and some to her. Master Christopher Martin chosen by passengers 
their "Governour" for the voyage to order them by the way, see to the 
disposing of their pro visions, etc. Master Robert Cushman chosen 
"Assistant." The ship ready for sea this day, but obliged to lie here on 
account of leakiness of consort, which is forced to retrim. Ship has now 
90 passengers and consort 30. 

SUNDAY, July 30/Aug. 9
Lying at Southampton. 

MONDAY, July 31/Aug. 10
Lying at Southampton. Letters received for passengers from Holland. One 
from the Leyden Pastor [Robinson] read out to the company that came from 
that place. 

TUESDAY, Aug. 1/Aug. 11
Lying at anchor at Southampton. SPEEDWELL retrimmed a second time to 
overcome leakiness. 

WEDNESDAY, Aug. 2/Aug. 12
Lying at anchor at Southampton. Master Weston, principal agent of the 
Merchants setting out the voyage, came up from Lon don to see the ships 
dispatched, but, on the refusal of the Planters to sign certain papers, 
took offence and returned to London in displeasure, bidding them "stand on 
their own legs," etc. 

[The two "conditions" which Weston had changed in the proposed agreement 
between the Adventurers and Planters, the Leyden leaders refused to agree 
to. Bradford, op cit. p. 61. He says: "But they refused to sign, and 
answered him that he knew right well that these were not according to the 
first Agreement." Dr. Griffis has made one of those little slips common to 
all writers--though perfectly conversant with the facts--in stating as he 
does (The Pilgrims in their Three Homes, etc. p. 158), with reference to 
the new "conditions" which some blamed Cushman for assenting to, as "more 
fit for thieves and slaves than for honest men," that, "nevertheless they 
consented to them;" while on p. 169 he says "The SPEEDWELL people [i.e. 
the Leyden leaders would not agree with the new conditions, without the 
consent of those left behind in Leyden." 
The fact is that the Pilgrims did not assent to the new conditions, 
unwarrantably imposed by Weston, though of small consequence in any view 
of the case, until Cushman came over to New Plymouth in the FORTUNE, in 
1621, and by dint of his sermon on the "Sin and Danger of Self-Love," and 
his persuasion, induced them (they being also advised thereto by Robinson) 
to sign them. All business up to this time had been done between the 
Adventurers and the Pilgrims, apparently, without any agreement in 
writing. It was probably felt, both by Robinson and the Plymouth leaders, 
that it was the least reparation they could make Cushman for their cruel 
and unjust treatment of him, realizing at length that, through all 
vicissitudes, he had proven their just, sagacious, faithful, and efficient 
friend. There does not appear to be any conclusive evidence that any 
articles of agreement between the Adventurers and colonists were signed 
before the MAY-FLOWER Sailed.] 

THURSDAY, Aug. 3/Aug. 13
Lying at anchor at Southampton. After Master Weston's departure, the 
Planters had a meeting and resolved to sell some of such stores as they 
could best spare, to clear port charges, etc., and to write a general 
letter to the Adventurers explaining the case, which they did. Landed some 
three score firkins of butter, sold as determined. 

FRIDAY, Aug. 4/Aug. 14
Lying at anchor at Southampton. Consort nearly ready for sea. Heard that 
the King's warrant had issued to Sir James Coventry, under date of July 
23, to prepare a Patent for the Council for the Affairs of New England to 
supersede the Plymouth Virginia Company, Sir Ferdinando Gorges and Sir 
Robert Rich the Earl of Warwick among the Patentees. 

SATURDAY, Aug. 5/Aug. 15
Weighed anchor, as did consort, and in company dropped down Southampton 
Water. Took departure from Cowes, Isle of Wight, and laid course down the 
Solent to Channel. Winds baffling. General course S.W. by S. 

SUNDAY, Aug. 6/Aug. 16
Head winds. Beating out Channel. SPEEDWELL In Company. Passed Bill of 
Portland. 

MONDAY, Aug. 7/Aug. 17
Wind contrary. Beating out Channel. SPEEDWELL In company. 

TUESDAY, Aug. 8/Aug. 18
Wind still contrary. Beating out Channel. SPEEDWELL in company. 

WEDNESDAY, Aug. 9/Aug. 19
Wind ahead. Beating down Channel. Consort in company. 

THURSDAY, Aug. 10/20
Wind fair. All sail set. SPEEDWELL in company. Signalled by consort, which 
hove to. Found to be leaking badly. On consultation of Masters and chief 
of passengers of both ships, it was concluded that both should put into 
Dartmouth, being nearest port. Laid course for Dartmouth with wind ahead. 

THURSDAY, Aug. 11/21
Wind ahead. Bearing up to Dartmouth. 

SATURDAY, Aug. 12/22
Made port at Dartmouth. SPEEDWELL in company, and came to anchor in 
harbor. 

[Bradford, op. cit. Deane's ed. p. 68, note. Russell (Pilgrim Memorials, 
p. 15) says: "The ships put back into Dartmouth, August 13/23." Goodwin 
(op. cit. p. 55) says: "The port was reached about August 23: Captain John 
Smith strangely omits the return of the ships to Dartmouth, and confuses 
dates, as he says "But the next day after leaving Southampton the lesser 
ship sprung a leak that forced their return to Plymouth," etc. Smith, New 
England's Trials, 2d ed. 1622. Cushman's letter, written the 17th, says 
they had then lain there "four days," which would mean, if four full days, 
the 13th, 14th, 15th, and 16th.] 

SUNDAY, Aug. 13/23
Lying at anchor with SPEEDWELL leaking badly in Dartmouth harbor. No 
passengers, except leaders, allowed ashore. 

[Cushman in his letter to Edward Southworth, written at Dartmouth, August 
17, says that Martin, the "governour" of the passengers in the MAY-FLOWER, 
"will not suffer them the passengers to go, ashore lest they should run 
away." This probably applied especially to such as had become disaffected 
by the delays and disasters, the apprenticed ("bound") servants, etc. Of 
course no responsible colonist would be thus restrained for the reason 
alleged.] 

MONDAY, Aug. 14/24
Lying at anchor, Dartmouth harbor. SPEEDWELL at Quay taking out lading for 
thorough overhauling. 

TUESDAY, Aug. 15/25
Lying at anchor, Dartmouth harbor. 

WEDNESDAY, Aug. 16/26
Lying at anchor, Dartmouth harbor. SPEEDWELL being thoroughly overhauled 
for leaks. Pronounced "as open and leaky as a sieve." Much dissatisfaction 
between the passengers, and discontent with the ship's "governour" Master 
Martin, between whom and Mr. Cushman, the "assistant," there is constant 
disagreement. 

[Cushman portrays the contemptible character and manner of Martin very 
sharply, and could not have wished to punish him worse for his meannesses 
than he has, by thus holding him up to the scorn of the world, for all 
time. He says, 'inter alia': "If I speak to him, he flies in my face and 
saith no complaints shall be heard or received but by himself, and saith: 
'They are froward, and waspish, discontented people, and I do ill to hear 
them.'"] 

THURSDAY, Aug. 17/27
Lying at anchor, Dartmouth harbor. Consort being searched and mended. 
Sailors offended at Master Martin because of meddling. 

[Cushman's letter, Dartmouth, August 17. He says: "The sailors also are so 
offended at his ignorant boldness in meddling and controling in things he 
knows not what belongs to, as that some threaten to mischief him . . . . 
But at best this cometh of it, that he makes himself a scorn and laughing 
stock unto them."] 

FRIDAY, Aug. 18/28
Lying at anchor, Dartmouth harbor. Consort still repairing. Judged by 
workmen that mended her sufficient for the voyage. 

SATURDAY, Aug. 19/29
Lying at anchor, Dartmouth harbor. SPEEDWELL relading. 

SUNDAY, Aug. 20/30
Lying at anchor, Dartmouth harbor. 

MONDAY, Aug. 21/31
Lying at anchor, Dartmouth harbor. Consort relading. 

TUESDAY, Aug. 22/Sept. 1
Lying at anchor, Dartmouth harbor. Both ships ready for sea. 

[Bradford, Historie, Deane's ed. p. 68. He says: "Some leaks were found 
and mended and now it was conceived by the workmen and all, that she was 
sufficient, and they might proceed without either fear or danger." 
Bradford shows (op. cit. p. 69, note that they must have left Dartmouth 
"about the 21st" of August. Captain John Smith gives that date, though 
somewhat confusedly. Arber (the Story of the Pilgrim Fathers, p. 343 says: 
"They actually left on 23 August." Goodwin (Pilgrim Republic, p. 55) says:
"Ten days were spent in discharging and re-stowing the SPEEDWELL and 
repairing her from stem to stern," etc.)] 

WEDNESDAY, Aug. 23/Sept. 2
Weighed anchor, as did consort. Laid course W.S.W. Ships in company. Wind 
fair. 

THURSDAY, Aug. 24/Sept. 3
Comes in with wind fair. General course W.S.W. Consort in company. 

FRIDAY, Aug. 25/Sept. 4
Comes in with wind fair. Course W.S.W. SPEEDWELL in company. 

SATURDAY, Aug. 26/Sept. 5
Observations showed ship above 100 leagues W.S.W. of Land's End. SPEEDWELL 
signalled and hove to. Reported leaking dangerously. On consultation 
between Masters and carpenters of both ships, it was concluded to put back 
into Plymouth--Bore up for Plymouth. Consort in company. 

SUNDAY, Aug. 27/Sept. 6
Ship on course for Plymouth. SPEEDWELL in company. 

MONDAY, Aug. 28/Sept. 7
Made Plymouth harbor, and came to anchor in the Catwater, followed by 
consort. 

TUESDAY, Aug. 29/Sept. 8
At anchor in roadstead. At conference of officers of ship and consort and 
the chief of the Planters, it was decided to send the SPEEDWELL back to 
London with some 18 or 20 of her passengers, transferring a dozen or more, 
with part of her lading, to the MAY- FLOWER. 

WEDNESDAY, Aug. 30/Sept. 9
At anchor in Plymouth roadstead off the Barbican. Transferring passengers 
and lading from consort, lying near by. Weather fine. 

[Goodwin notes (Pilgrim Republic, p. 57) that "it was fortunate for the 
overloaded MAY-FLOWER that she had fine weather while lying at anchor 
there, . . . for the port of Plymouth was then only a shallow, open bay, 
with no protection. In southwesterly gales its waters rose into enormous 
waves, with such depressions between that ships while anchored sometimes 
struck the bottom of the harbor and were dashed in pieces."] 

THURSDAY, Aug. 31/Sept. 10
At anchor in Plymouth roadstead. Transferring cargo from SPEEDWELL. 

FRIDAY, Sept. 1/Sept. 11
At anchor in Plymouth roadstead. Transferring passengers and freight to 
and from consort. Master Cushman and family, Master Blossom and son, 
William Ring, and others with children, going back to London in SPEEDWELL. 
All Of SPEEDWELL'S passengers who are to make the voyage now aboard. New 
"governour" of ship and assistants chosen. Master Carver "governour." 

[We have seen that Christopher Martin was made "governour" of the 
passengers on the MAY-FLOWER for the voyage, and Cushman "assistant." It 
is evident from Cushman's oft-quoted letter (see ante) that Martin became 
obnoxious, before the ship reached Dartmouth, to both passengers and crew. 
It is also evident that when the emigrants were all gathered in the MAY-
FLOWER there was a new choice of officers (though no record is found of 
it), as Cushman vacated his place and went back to London, and we find 
that, as noted before, on November 11 the colonists "confirmed" John 
Carver as their "governour," showing that he had been such hitherto. 
Doubtless Martin was deposed at Southampton (perhaps put into Cushman's 
vacant place, and Carver made "governour" in his stead.)] 

SATURDAY, Sept. 2/Sept. 12
At anchor, Plymouth roadstead. Some of principal passengers entertained 
ashore by friends of their faith. SPEEDWELL sailed for London. Quarters 
assigned, etc. 

SUNDAY, Sept. 3/Sept. 13
At anchor in Plymouth roadstead. 

MONDAY, Sept. 4/Sept. 14
At anchor in Plymouth roadstead. Some Of company ashore. 

TUESDAY, Sept. 5/Sept. 15
At anchor in Plymouth roadstead. Ready for sea. 

WEDNESDAY, Sept. 6/Sept. 16
Weighed anchor. Wind E.N.E., a fine gale. Laid course W.S.W. for northern 
coasts of Virginia. 

THURSDAY, Sept. 7/Sept. 17
Comes in with wind E.N.E. Light gale continues. Made all sail on ship. 

FRIDAY, Sept. 8/Sept. 18
Comes in with wind E.N.E. Gale continues. All sails full. 

SATURDAY, Sept. 9/Sept. 19
Comes in with wind E.N E. Gale holds. Ship well off the land. 

SUNDAY, Sept. 10/Sept. 20
Comes in with wind E.N.E. Gale holds. Distance lost, when ship bore up for 
Plymouth, more than regained. 

MONDAY, Sept. 11/Sept. 21
Same; and so without material change, the daily record of wind, weather, 
and the ship's general course--the repetition of which would be both 
useless and wearisome-- continued through the month and until the vessel 
was near half the seas over. Fine warm weather and the "harvest-moon." The 
usual equinoctial weather deferred. 

SATURDAY, Sept. 23/Oct. 3
One of the seamen, some time sick with a grievous disease, died in a 
desperate manner. The first death and burial at sea of the voyage. 

[We can readily imagine this first burial at sea on the MAY FLOWER, and 
its impressiveness. Doubtless the good Elder "committed the body to the 
deep" with fitting ceremonial, for though the young man was of the crew, 
and not of the Pilgrim company, his reverence for death and the last rites 
of Christian burial would as surely impel him to offer such services, as 
the rough, buccaneering Master (Jones would surely be glad to evade them). 

Dr. Griffis (The Pilgrims in their Three Homes, p. 176) says "The Puritans 
[does this mean Pilgrims ?] cared next to nothing about ceremonies over a 
corpse, whether at wave or grave." This will hardly bear examination, 
though Bradford's phraseology in this case would seem to support it, as he 
speaks of the body as "thrown overboard;" yet it is not to be supposed 
that it was treated quite so indecorously as the words would imply. It was 
but a few years after, certainly, that we find both Pilgrim and Puritan 
making much ceremony at burials. We find considerable ceremony at Carver's 
burial only a few months later. Choate, in his masterly oration at New 
York, December 22, 1863, pictures Brewster's service at the open grave of 
one of the Pilgrims in March, 1621.] 

A sharp change. Equinoctial weather, followed by stormy westerly gales; 
encountered cross winds and continued fierce storms. Ship shrewdly shaken 
and her upper works made very leaky. One of the main beams in the midships 
was bowed and cracked. Some fear that the ship could not be able to 
perform the voyage. The chief of the company perceiving the mariners to 
fear the sufficiency of the ship (as appeared by their mutterings) they 
entered into serious consultation with the Master and other officers of 
the ship, to consider, in time, of the danger, and rather to return than 
to cast themselves into a desperate and inevitable peril. 

There was great distraction and difference of opinion amongst the mariners 
themselves. Fain would they do what would be done for their wages' sake, 
being now near half the seas over; on the other hand, they were loath to 
hazard their lives too desperately. In examining of all opinions, the 
Master and others affirmed they knew the ship to be strong and firm under 
water, and for the buckling bending or bowing of the main beam, there was 
a great iron scrue the passengers brought out of Holland which would raise 
the beam into its place. The which being done, the carpenter and Master 
affirmed that a post put under it, set firm in the lower deck, and 
otherwise bound, would make it sufficient. As for the decks and upper 
works, they would caulk them as well as they could; and though with the 
working of the ship they would not long keep staunch, yet there would 
otherwise be no great danger if they did not overpress her with sails. So 
they resolved to proceed. 

In sundry of these stormes, the winds were so fierce and the seas so high, 
as the ship could not bear a knot of sail, but was forced to hull drift 
under bare poles for divers days together. A succession of strong westerly 
gales. In one of the heaviest storms, while lying at hull, [hove to D.W.] 
a lusty young man, one of the passengers, John Howland by name, coming 
upon some occasion above the gratings latticed covers to the hatches, was 
with the seel [roll] of the ship thrown into the sea, but caught hold of 
the topsail halliards, which hung overboard and ran out at length; yet he 
held his hold, though he was sundry fathoms under water, till he was 
hauled up by the same rope to the brim of the water, and then with a 
boathook and other means got into the ship again and his life saved. He 
was something ill with it. 

The equinoctial disturbances over and the strong October gales, the 
milder, warmer weather of late October followed. 

Mistress Elizabeth Hopkins, wife of Master Stephen Hopkins, of Billericay, 
in Essex, was delivered of a son, who, on account of the circumstances of 
his birth, was named Oceanus, the first birth aboard the ship during the 
voyage. 

A succession of fine days, with favoring winds. 

MONDAY Nov. 6/16
William Butten; a youth, servant to Doctor Samuel Fuller, died. The first 
of the passengers to die on this voyage. 

MONDAY Nov. 7/17
The body of William Butten committed to the deep. The first burial at sea 
of a passenger, on this voyage. 

MONDAY Nov. 8/18
Signs of land. 

MONDAY Nov. 9/19
Closing in with the land at nightfall. Sighted land at daybreak. The 
landfall made out to be Cape Cod the bluffs [in what is now the town of 
Truro, Mass.]. After a conference between the Master of the ship and the 
chief colonists, tacked about and stood for the southward. Wind and 
weather fair. Made our course S.S.W., continued proposing to go to a river 
ten leagues south of the Cape Hudson's River. After had sailed that course 
about half the day fell amongst dangerous shoals and foaming breakers [the 
shoals off Monomoy] got out of them before night and the wind being 
contrary put round again for the Bay of Cape Cod. Abandoned efforts to go 
further south and so announced to passengers. 

[Bradford (Historie, Mass. ed. p. 93) says: "They resolved to bear up 
again for the Cape." No one will question that Jones's assertion of 
inability to proceed, and his announced determination to return to Cape 
Cod harbor, fell upon many acquiescent ears, for, as Winslow says: "Winter 
was come; the seas were dangerous; the season was cold; the winds were 
high, and the region being well furnished for a plantation, we entered 
upon discovery." Tossed for sixty-seven days on the north Atlantic at that 
season of the year, their food and firing well spent, cold, homesick, and 
ill, the bare thought of once again setting foot on any land, wherever it 
might be, must have been an allurement that lent Jones potential aid in 
his high-handed course.] 

SATURDAY Nov. 11/21
Comes in with light, fair wind. On course for Cape Cod harbor, along the 
coast. Some hints of disaffection among colonists, on account of 
abandonment of location 

[Bradford (in Mourt's Relation) says: "This day before we come to harbor 
Italics the author's, observing some not well affected to unity and 
concord, but gave some appearance of faction, it was thought good there 
should be an Association and Agreement that we should combine together in 
one body; and to submit to such Government and Governors as we should, by 
common consent, agree to make and choose, and set our hands to this that 
follows word for word." Then follows the Compact. Bradford is even more 
explicit in his Historie (Mass. ed. p. 109), where he says: "I shall a 
little returne backe and begin with a combination made by them before they 
came ashore, being ye first foundation of their governments in this place; 
occasioned partly by ye discontent & mutinous speeches that some of the 
strangers amongst them [i.e. not any of the Leyden contingent had let fall 
from them in ye ship--That when they came ashore they would use their owne 
libertie: for none had power to command them, the patents they had being 
for Virginia, and not for New-England which belonged to another 
Government, with which ye London [or First Virginia Company had nothing to 
doe, and partly that such an acte by them done . . . might be as firm as 
any patent, and in some respects more sure." Dr. Griffis is hardly 
warranted in making Bradford to say, as he does (The Pilgrims in their 
Three Homes, p. 182), that "there were a few people I 'shuffled' in upon 
them the company who were probably unmitigated scoundrels." Bradford 
speaks only of Billington and his family as those "shuffled into their 
company," and while he was not improbably one of the agitators (with 
Hopkins) who were the proximate causes of the drawing up of the Compact, 
he was not, in this case, the responsible leader. It is evident from the 
foregoing that the "appearance of faction" did not show itself until the 
vessel's prow was turned back toward Cape Cod Harbor, and it became 
apparent that the effort to locate "near Hudson's River" was to be 
abandoned, and a location found north of 41 degrees north latitude, which 
would leave them without charter rights or authority of any kind. It is 
undoubtedly history that Master Stephen Hopkins,--then "a lay- reader" for 
Chaplain Buck,--on Sir Thomas Gates's expedition to Virginia, had, when 
some of them were cast away on the Bermudas, advocated just such 
sentiments--on the same basis--as were now bruited upon the MAY-FLOWER, 
and it could hardly have been coincidence only that the same were repeated 
here. That Hopkins fomented the discord is well-nigh certain. It caused 
him, as elsewhere noted, to receive sentence of death for insubordination, 
at the hands of Sir Thomas Gates, in the first instance, from which his 
pardon was with much difficulty procured by his friends. In the present 
case, it led to the drafting and execution of the Pilgrim Compact, a 
framework of civil self-government whose fame will never die; though the 
author is in full accord with Dr. Young (Chronicles, p. 120) in thinking 
that "a great deal more has been discovered in this document than the 
signers contemplated,"--wonderfully comprehensive as it is. Professor 
Herbert B. Adams, of Johns Hopkins University, says in his admirable 
article in the Magazine of American History, November, 1882 (pp--798 799): 
"The fundamental idea of this famous document was that of a contract based 
upon the common law of England,"--certainly a stable and ancient basis of 
procedure. Their Dutch training (as Griffis points out) had also led 
naturally to such ideas of government as the Pilgrims adopted. It is to be 
feared that Griffis's inference (The Pilgrims in their Three Homes, p. 
184), that all who signed the Compact could write, is unwarranted. It is 
more than probable that if the venerated paper should ever be found, it 
would show that several of those whose names are believed to have been 
affixed to it "made their 'mark.'" There is good reason, also, to believe 
that neither "sickness" (except unto death) nor "indifference" would have 
prevented the ultimate obtaining of the signatures (by "mark," if need be) 
of every one of the nine male servants who did not subscribe, if they were 
considered eligible. Severe illness was, we know, answerable for the 
absence of a few, some of whom died a few days later. 

The fact seems rather to be, as noted, that age--not social status was the 
determining factor as to all otherwise eligible. It is evident too, that 
the fact was recognized by all parties (by none so clearly as by Master 
Jones) that they were about to plant themselves on territory not within 
the jurisdiction of their steadfast friends, the London Virginia Company, 
but under control of those formerly of the Second (Plymouth) Virginia 
Company, who (by the intelligence they received while at Southampton) they 
knew would be erected into the "Council for the Affairs of New England." 
Goodwin is in error in saying (Pilgrim Republic, p. 62), "Neither did any 
other body exercise authority there;" for the Second Virginia Company 
under Sir Ferdinando Gorges, as noted, had been since 1606 in control of 
this region, and only a week before the Pilgrims landed at Cape Cod (i.e. 
on November 3) King James had signed the patent of the Council for New 
England, giving them full authority over all territory north of the forty-
first parallel of north latitude, as successors to the Second Virginia 
Company. If the intention to land south of the forty-first parallel had 
been persisted in, there would, of course, have been no occasion for the 
Compact, as the patent to John Pierce (in their interest) from the London 
Virginia Company would have been in force. The Compact became a necessity, 
therefore, only when they turned northward to make settlement above 41 
deg. north latitude. Hence it is plain that as no opportunity for 
"faction"--and so no occasion for any "Association and Agreement"--existed 
till the MAY- FLOWER turned northward, late in the afternoon of Friday, 
November to, the Compact was not drawn and presented for signature until 
the morning of Saturday, November 11. Bradford's language, "This day, 
before we came into harbour," leaves no room for doubt that it was rather 
hurriedly drafted--and also signed--before noon of the 11th. That they had 
time on this winter Saturday--hardly three weeks from the shortest day in 
the year--to reach and encircle the harbor; secure anchorage; get out 
boats; arm, equip, and land two companies of men; make a considerable 
march into the land; cut firewood; and get all aboard again before dark, 
indicates that they must have made the harbor not far from noon. These 
facts serve also to correct another error of traditional Pilgrim history, 
which has been commonly current, and into which Davis falls (Ancient 
Landmarks of Plymouth, p. 60), viz. that the Compact was signed "in the 
harbor of Cape Cod." It is noticeable that the instrument itself simply 
says, "Cape Cod," not "Cape Cod harbour," as later they were wont to say. 
The leaders clearly did not mean to get to port till there was a form of 
law and authority.] 

for settlement on territory under the protection of the patent granted in 
their interest to John Pierce, by the London Virginia Company. 

[The patent granted John Pierce, one of the Merchant Adventurers, by the 
London Virginia Company in the interest of the Pilgrims, was signed 
February 2/12, 1619, and of course could convey no rights to, or upon, 
territory not conveyed to the Company by its charter from the King issued 
in 1606, and the division of territory made thereunder to the Second 
Virginia Company. By this division the London Company was restricted 
northward by the 41st parallel, as noted, while the Second Company could 
not claim the 38th as its southern bound, as the charter stipulated that 
the nearest settlements under the respective companies should not be 
within one hundred miles of each other.] 

Meeting in main cabin of all adult male passengers except their two hired 
seamen, Trevore and Ely, and those too ill--to make and sign a mutual 
"Compact"(*) to regulate their civil government. This done, they confirmed 
Master Carver their "governour" in the ship on the voyage, their 
"governour" for the year. Bore up for the Cape, and by short tacks made 
the Cape [Paomet, now Provincetown] Harbor, coming to an anchorage a 
furlong within the point. The bay so circular that before coming to anchor 
the ship boxed the compass [i.e. went clear around all points of it]. 

(* The Compact is too well known to require reprinting here (see 
Appendix); but a single clause of it calls for comment in this connection. 
In it the framers recite that, "Having undertaken to plant the first 
colony in the northern parts of Virginia," etc. From this phraseology it 
would appear that they here used the words "northern parts of Virginia" 
understandingly, and with a new relation and significance, from their 
connection with the words "the first colony in," for such declaration 
could have no force or truth except as to the region north of 41 deg. 
north latitude. They knew, of course, of the colonies in Virginia under 
Gates, Wingfield, Smith, Raleigh, and others (Hopkins having been with 
Gates), and that, though there had been brief attempts at settlements in 
the "northern plantations," there were none there then, and that hence 
theirs would be in a sense "the first," especially if considered with 
reference to the new Council for New England. The region of the Hudson had 
heretofore been included in the term "northern parts of Virginia," 
although in the southern Company's limit; but a new meaning was now 
designedly given to the words as used in the Compact, and New England was 
contemplated.)

Let go anchors three quarters of an English mile off shore, because of 
shallow water, sixty-seven days from Plymouth (Eng.), eighty-one days from 
Dartmouth, ninety-nine days from Southampton, and one hundred and twenty 
from London. Got out the long-boat and set ashore an armed party of 
fifteen or sixteen in armor, and some to fetch wood, having none left, 
landing them on the long point or neck, toward the sea.(*) Those going 
ashore were forced to wade a bow-shot or two in going aland. The party 
sent ashore returned at night having seen no person or habitation, having 
laded the boat with juniper wood. 

(* The strip of land now known as Long Point, Provincetown (Mass.) harbor.)

SUNDAY, Nov. 12/22
At anchor in Cape Cod harbor. All hands piped to service. Weather mild. 

MONDAY, Nov. 13/23
At anchor in Cape Cod harbor, unshipped the shallop and drew her on land 
to mend and repair her.(*) Many went ashore to refresh themselves, and the 
women to wash. 

(* Bradford (Historie, Mass. ed. p. 97) says: "Having brought a large 
shallop with them out of England, stowed in quarters in ye ship they now 
gott her out and sett their carpenters to worke to trime her up: but being 
much brused and shatered in ye ship with foule weather, they saw she sould 
be longe in mending." In 'Mourt's Relation' he says: "Monday, the 13th of 
November, we unshipped our shallop and drew her on land to mend and repair 
her, having been forced to cut her down, in bestowing her betwixt the 
decks, and she was much opened, with the peoples lying in her, which kept 
us long there: for it was sixteen or seventeen days before the Carpenter 
had finished her." Goodwin says she was "a sloop-rigged craft of twelve or 
fifteen tons." There is an intimation of Bradford that she was "about 
thirty feet long." It is evident from Bradford's account (Historie, Mass. 
ed. p. 105) of her stormy entrance to Plymouth harbor that the shallop had 
but one mast, as he says "But herewith they broake their mast in 3 pieces 
and their saill fell overboard in a very grown sea.")

TUESDAY, Nov. 14/24
Lying at anchor. Carpenter at work on shallop. Arms and accoutrements 
being got ready for an exploring party inland. 

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 15/25
Lying at anchor in harbor. Master and boat's crew went ashore, followed in 
the afternoon by an armed party of sixteen men under command of Captain 
Myles Standish. Masters William Bradford, Stephen Hopkins, and Edward 
Tilley being joined to him for council. The party to be gone from the ship 
a day or two. Weather mild and ground not frozen. 

THURSDAY, Nov. 16/26
Lying at anchor in harbor. Exploring party still absent from ship. Weather 
continues open. 

FRIDAY, Nov. 17/27
At anchor, Cape Cod harbor. Weather open. Saw signal-fire on the other 
side of bay this morning, built by exploring party as arranged. The 
Master, Governor Carver, and many of the company ashore in afternoon, and 
met exploring party there on their return to ship. Hearing their signal-
guns before they arrived at the shore, sent long-boat to fetch them 
aboard. They reported seeing Indians and following them ten miles without 
coming up to them the first afternoon out, and the next day found store of 
corn buried, and a big ship's kettle, which they brought to the ship with 
much corn. Also saw deer and found excellent water. 

SATURDAY, Nov. 18/28
At anchor, Cape Cod harbor. Planters helving tools, etc. Carpenter at work 
on shallop, which takes more labor than at first supposed. Weather still 
moderate. Fetched wood and water. 

SUNDAY, Nov. 19/29
At anchor, Gape Cod harbor. Second Sunday in harbor. Services aboard ship. 
Seamen ashore. Change in weather. Colder. 

MONDAY, Nov. 20/30
At anchor, Cape Cod harbor. Carpenter and others at work on shallop, 
getting out stock for a new shallop, helving tools, making articles 
needed, etc. 

TUESDAY, Nov. 21/Dec. 1
At anchor in harbor. Much inconvenienced in going ashore. Can only go and 
come at high water except by wading, from which many have taken coughs and 
colds. 

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 22/Dec. 2
At anchor in harbor. Weather cold and stormy, having changed suddenly. 

THURSDAY, Nov. 23/Dec. 3
At anchor in harbor. Cold and stormy. Work progressing on shallop. 

FRIDAY, Nov. 24/Dec. 4
At anchor in harbor. Continues cold and stormy. 

SATURDAY, Nov. 25/Dec. 5
At anchor in harbor. Weather same. Work on shallop pretty well finished 
and she can be used, though more remains to be done. Another exploration 
getting ready for Monday. Master and crew anxious to unlade and return for 
England. Fetched wood and water. 

SUNDAY, Nov. 26/Dec. 6
At anchor, Cape Cod harbor. Third Sunday here. Master notified Planters 
that they must find permanent location and that he must and would keep 
sufficient supplies for ship's company and their return. 

[Bradford, Historie, Mass. ed. p. 96. The doubt as to how the ship's and 
the colonists' provisions were divided and held is again suggested here. 
It is difficult, however, to understand how the Master "must and would" 
retain provisions with his small force against the larger, if it came to 
an issue of strength between Jones and Standish.] 

MONDAY, Nov. 27/Dec. 7
At anchor, Cape Cod harbor. Rough weather and cross winds. The Planters 
determined to send out a strong exploring party, and invited the Master of 
the ship to join them and go as leader, which he agreed continued to, and 
offered nine of the crew and the long-boat, which were accepted. Of the 
colonists there were four-and-twenty, making the party in all four-and-
thirty. Wind so strong that setting out from the ship the shallop and long-
boat were obliged to row to the nearest shore and the men to wade above 
the knees to land. The wind proved so strong that the shallop was obliged 
to harbor where she landed. Mate in charge of ship. Blowed and snowed all 
day and at night, and froze withal. Mistress White delivered of a son 
which is called "Peregrine." The second child born on the voyage, the 
first in this harbor. 

TUESDAY, Nov. 28/Dec. 8
At anchor, Cape Cod harbor. Cold. Master Jones and exploring party absent 
on shore with long-boat and colonists' shallop. The latter, which beached 
near ship yesterday in a strong wind and harbored there last night, got 
under way this morning and sailed up the harbor, following the course 
taken by the long-boat yesterday, the wind favoring. Six inches of snow 
fell yesterday and last night. Crew at work clearing snow from ship. 

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 29/Dec. 9
At anchor, Cape Cod harbor. Cold. Foul weather threatening. Master Jones 
with sixteen men in the long-boat and shallop came aboard towards night 
(eighteen men remaining ashore), bringing also about ten bushels of Indian 
corn which had been found buried. The Master reports a long march, the 
exploration of two creeks, great numbers of wild fowl, the finding of much 
corn and beans, etc. 

[This seems to be the first mention of beans (in early Pilgrim literature) 
as indigenous (presumably) to New England. They have held an important 
place in her dietary ever since.] 

THURSDAY, Nov. 30/Dec. 10
At anchor in harbor. Sent shallop to head of harbor with mattocks and 
spades, as desired by those ashore, the seamen taking their muskets also. 
The shallop came alongside at nightfall with the rest of the explorers--
the tide being out--bringing a lot of Indian things, baskets, pottery, 
wicker-ware, etc., discovered in two graves and sundry Indian houses they 
found after the Master left them. They report ground frozen a foot deep. 

FRIDAY, Dec. 1/11
At anchor, Cape Cod harbor. Carpenter finishing work on shallop. Colonists 
discussing locations visited, as places for settlement. 

SATURDAY, Dec. 2/12
At anchor in harbor. Much discussion among colonists as to settlement, the 
Master insisting on a speedy determination. Whales playing about the ship 
in considerable numbers. One lying within half a musket-shot of the ship, 
two of the Planters shot at her, but the musket of the one who gave fire 
first blew in pieces both stock and barrel, yet no one was hurt. Fetched 
wood and water. 

SUNDAY, Dec. 3/13
At anchor in Cape Cod harbor. The fourth Sunday here. Scarce any of those 
aboard free from vehement coughs, some very ill. Weather very variable. 

MONDAY, Dec. 4/14
At anchor in Cape Cod harbor. Carpenter completing repairs on shallop. 
Much discussion of plans for settlement. The Master urging that the 
Planters should explore with their shallop at some distance, declining in 
such season to stir from the present anchorage till a safe harbor is 
discovered by them where they would be and he might go without danger. 
This day died Edward Thompson, a servant of Master William White, the 
first to die aboard the ship since she anchored in the harbor. Burying-
party sent ashore after services to bury him. 

TUESDAY, Dec. 5/15
At anchor in harbor. Francis Billington, a young son of one of the 
passengers, put the ship and all in great jeopardy, by shooting off a 
fowling-piece in his father's cabin between decks where there was a small 
barrel of powder open, and many people about the fire close by. None hurt. 
Weather cold and foul. 

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 6/16
At anchor in harbor. Very cold, bad weather. This day died Jasper More, a 
lad bound to Governor Carver. The second death in the harbor. The third 
exploring party got away from the ship in the afternoon in the shallop, 
intent on finding a harbor recommended by the second mate, Robert Coppin, 
who had visited it. Captain Standish in command, with whom were Governor 
Carver, Masters Bradford, Winslow, John Tilley and Edward Tilley, Warren 
and Hopkins, John Howland, Edward Dotey, and two of the colonists' seamen, 
Alderton and English, and of the ship's company, the mates Clarke and 
Coppin, the master-gunner and three sailors, eighteen in all. The shallop 
was a long time getting clear of the point, having to row, but at last got 
up her sails and out of the harbor. Sent burying-party ashore with body of 
little More boy, after services aboard. 

THURSDAY, Dec. 7/17
At anchor in Cape Cod harbor. This day Mistress Dorothy Bradford, wife of 
Master Bradford, who is away with the exploring party to the westward, 
fell over board and was drowned. 

FRIDAY, Dec. 8/18
At anchor in harbor. A strong south-east gale with heavy rain, turning to 
snow and growing cold toward night, as it cleared. This day Master James 
Chilton died aboard the ship. The third passenger, and first head of a 
family; to die in this harbor. 

SATURDAY, Dec. 9/19
At anchor in harbor. Burying-party sent ashore after services aboard, to 
bury Chilton. Fetched wood and water. 

[The death of Chilton was the first of the head of a family, and it may 
readily be imagined that the burial was an especially affecting scene, 
especially as following so closely upon the tragic death of Mrs. Bradford 
(for whom no funeral or burial arrangements are mentioned?? D.W.)] 

SUNDAY, Dec. 10/20
At anchor in Cape Cod harbor. The fifth Sunday in this harbor. The 
exploring party still absent. Four deaths one by drowning; very severe 
weather; the ship's narrow escape from being blown up; and the absence of 
so many of the principal men, have made it a hard, gloomy week. 

MONDAY, Dec. 11/21
At anchor in harbor. Clear weather. 

TUESDAY, Dec. 12/22
At anchor in harbor. Exploration party still absent. 

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 13/23
At anchor in harbor. Exploration party returned to ship, where much sad 
intelligence met them (especially Master Bradford), as to his wife's 
drowning. The exploring party report finding a considerable Indian burying-
place; several Indian houses; a fierce attack on them by Indians on Friday 
morning, but without harm; a severe gale on the same afternoon, in which 
their rudder-hinges broke, their mast was split in three pieces, their 
sail fell over board in a heavy sea, and they were like to have been cast 
away in making a harbor which Master Coppin thought he knew, but was 
deceived about. They landed on an island at the mouth of the harbor, which 
they named for Master Clarke, the first mate, and spent Saturday and 
Sunday there, and on Monday examined the harbor they found, and are agreed 
that it is the place for settlement. Much satisfaction with the report 
among the colonists. 

THURSDAY, Dec. 14/24
At anchor, Cape Cod harbor. The colonists have determined to make 
settlement at the harbor they visited, and which is apparently, by Captain 
John Smith's chart of 1616, no other than the place he calls "Plimoth" 
thereon. Fetched wood and water. 

FRIDAY, Dec. 15/25
Weighed anchor to go to the place the exploring party discovered. Course 
west, after leaving harbor. Shallop in company. Coming within two leagues, 
the wind coming northwest, could not fetch the harbor, and was faine to 
put round again towards Cape Cod. Made old anchorage at night. The thirty-
fifth night have lain at anchor here. Shallop returned with ship. 

SATURDAY, Dec. 16/26
Comes in with fair wind for Plymouth. Weighed anchor and put to sea again 
and made harbor safely. Shallop in company. Within half an hour of 
anchoring the wind changed, so if letted [hindered] but a little had gone 
back to Cape Cod. A fine harbor. Let go anchors just within a long spur of 
beach a mile or more from shore. The end of the outward voyage; one 
hundred and two days from Plymouth (England to Plymouth New England). One 
hundred and fifty-five days from London. 


THE SHIPS JOURNAL WHILE SHE LAY IN PLYMOUTH HARBOR 

SUNDAY, Dec. 17/27
At anchor in Plymouth harbor. Services on ship. This harbor is a bay 
greater than Cape Cod, compassed with goodly land. It is in fashion like a 
sickle or fish-hook. 

MONDAY, Dec. 18/28
At anchor, Plymouth harbor: The Master of the ship, with three or four of 
the sailors and several of the Planters, went aland and marched along the 
coast several miles. Made careful examination of locality. Found many 
brooks of fine water, abundant wood, etc. The party came aboard at night 
weary with marching. 

TUESDAY, Dec. 19/29
At anchor, Plymouth harbor. A party from the ship went ashore to discover, 
some going by land and some keeping to the shallop. A creek was found 
leading up within the land and followed up three English miles, a very 
pleasant river at full sea. It was given the name of "Jones River" in 
compliment to the Master of the ship. A bark of thirty tons may go up at 
high tide, but the shallop could scarcely pass at low water. All came 
aboard at night with resolution to fix, to-morrow, which of the several 
places examined they would settle upon. 

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 20/30
At anchor, Plymouth harbor, many ill. Dec. After service the colonists 
decided to go ashore this morning and determine upon one of two places 
which were thought most fitting for their habitation. So a considerable 
party went ashore and left twenty of their number there to make a 
rendezvous, the rest coming on board at night. They reported that they had 
chosen by the most voices the site first looked at by the largest brook, 
near where they landed on the 11th on a large rock [Plymouth Rock]. 

[The "Rock" seems to have become the established landing place of the 
Pilgrims, from the time of the first visit of the third exploring party on 
December 11/21. The absurdity of the claims of the partisans of Mary 
Chilton, in the foolish contention which existed for many years as to 
whether she or John Alden was the first person to set foot upon the
"Rock," is shown by the fact that, of course, no women were with the third 
exploring party which first landed there, while it is also certain that 
Alden was not of that exploring party. That Mary Chilton may have been the 
first woman to land at Cape Cod harbor is entirely possible, as it is that 
she or John Alden may have been the first person to land on the "Rock" 
after the ship arrived in Plymouth harbor. It was a vexatious travesty 
upon history (though perpetuated by parties who ought to have been 
correct) that the Association for building the Pilgrim Monument at 
Plymouth should issue a pamphlet giving a picture of the "Landing of the 
Pilgrims, December 21, 1620," in which women are pictured, and in which 
the shallop is shown with a large fore-and- aft mainsail, while on the 
same page is another picture entitled, "The Shallop of the MAY-FLOWER," 
having a large yard and square- sail, and a "Cuddy" (which last the MAY-
FLOWER'S shallop we know did not have). The printed description of the 
picture, however, says: "The cut is copied from a picture by Van der 
Veldt, a Dutch painter of the seventeenth century, representing a
shallop," etc. It is matter of regret to find that a book like Colonel T. 
W. Higginson's 'Book of American Explorers', intended for a text-book, and 
bearing the imprint of a house like Longmans, Green & Co. should actually 
print a "cut" showing Mary Chilton landing from a boat full of men (in 
which she is the only woman) upon a rock, presumably Plymouth Rock.] 

THURSDAY, Dec. 21/31
At anchor, Plymouth harbor. Wet and stormy, so the Planters could not go 
ashore as planned, having blown hard and rained extremely all night. Very 
uncomfortable for the party on shore. So tempestuous that the shallop 
could not go to land as soon as was meet, for they had no victuals on 
land. About eleven o'clock the shallop went off with much ado with 
provision, but could not return, it blew so strong. Such foul weather 
forced to ride with three anchors ahead. This day Richard Britteridge, one 
of the colonists, died aboard the ship, the first to die in this harbor. 

FRIDAY, Dec. 22/Jan. 1
At anchor, Plymouth harbor. The storm continues, so that no one could go 
ashore, or those on land come aboard. This morning goodwife Allerton was 
delivered of a son, but dead-born. The third child born on board the ship 
since leaving England,--the first in this harbor. 

SATURDAY, Dec. 23/Jan. 2
At anchor in Plymouth harbor. Sent body of Britteridge ashore for burial, 
the storm having prevented going before, and also a large party of 
colonists to fell timber, etc. Left a large number on shore at the 
rendezvous. Fetched wood and water. 

SUNDAY, Dec. 24/Jan. 3
At anchor, Plymouth harbor. Second Sunday here. This day died Solomon 
Prower, one of the family of Master Martin, the treasurer of the 
colonists, being the sixth death this month, and the second in this 
harbor. A burying-party went ashore with Prower's body, after services 
aboard. 

MONDAY, Dec. 25/Jan. 4
At anchor in Plymouth harbor. Christmas Day, but not observed by these 
colonists, they being opposed to all saints' days, etc. The men on shore 
Sunday reported that they "heard a cry of some savages," as they thought, 
that day. A large party went ashore this morning to fell timber and begin 
building. They began to erect the first house about twenty feet square for 
their common use, to receive them and their goods. Another alarm as of 
Indians this day. All but twenty of the Planters came aboard at night, 
leaving the rest to keep court of guard. The colonists began to drink 
water, but at night the Master caused them to have some beer. 

TUESDAY, Dec. 26/Jan. 5
At anchor in Plymouth harbor. A violent storm of wind and rain. The 
weather so foul this morning that none could go ashore. 

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 27/Jan. 6
At anchor in harbor. Sent working party ashore. All but the guard came 
aboard at night. 

THURSDAY, Dec. 28/Jan. 7
At anchor. All able went ashore this morning to work on a platform for 
ordnance on the hill back of the settlement, commanding the harbor. The 
Planters this day laid out their town-site and allotted ground to the 
several families. Many of the colonists ill from exposure. All but the 
guard came off to the ship at night. 

FRIDAY, Dec. 29/Jan. 8
At anchor in harbor. No working-party went aland. The Planters fitting 
tools, etc., for their work. The weather wet and cold. 

SATURDAY, Dec. 30/Jan. 9
At anchor in harbor. Very stormy and cold. No working-party sent aland. 
The Planters fitting tools, etc. Great smokes of fires visible from the 
ship, six or seven miles away, probably made by Indians. 

SUNDAY, Dec. 31/Jan. 10
At anchor in harbor. The third Sunday in this harbor. Sailors given leave 
to go ashore. Many colonists ill. 

MONDAY, Jan. 1/Jan. 11
At anchor in Plymouth harbor. This day Degory Priest, one of the 
colonists, died aboard the ship. A large party went ashore early to work. 
Much time lost between ship and shore, the ship drawing so much water as 
obliged to anchor a mile and a half off. The working-party came aboard at 
nightfall. Fetched wood and water. 

TUESDAY, Jan. 2/Jan. 12
At anchor in harbor. Sent burying-party ashore with Priest's body. Weather 
good. Working-party aland and returned to ship at night. 

WEDNESDAY, Jan. 3/Jan. 13
At anchor in harbor. Working-party aland, returned at night. They report 
seeing great fires of the Indians. Smoke seen from the ship. Have seen no 
savages since arrival. 

THURSDAY, Jan. 4/Jan. 14
At anchor in Plymouth harbor. Captain Standish, with four or five men, 
went to look for savages, and though they found some of their old houses 
"wigwams" could not meet with any of them. 

FRIDAY, Jan. 5/Jan. 15
At anchor in Plymouth harbor. Working- party went aland early. One of the 
sailors found a live herring upon the shore, which the Master had to his 
supper. As yet have caught but one cod. 

SATURDAY, Jan. 6/Jan. 16
At anchor in harbor. In judgment of Masters Brewster, Bradford, and 
others, Master Martin, the colonists' treasurer, was so hopelessly ill 
that Governor Carver, who had taken up his quarters on land, was sent for 
to come aboard to speak with him about his accounts. Fetched wood and 
water. 

SUNDAY, Jan. 7/Jan. 17
At anchor in harbor. Fourth Sunday here. Governor Carver came aboard to 
talk with Master Martin, who was sinking fast. 

MONDAY, Jan. 8/Jan. 18
At anchor in Plymouth harbor. A very fan fair day. The working-party went 
aland early. The Master sent, the shallop for fish. They had a great 
tempest at sea and were in some danger. They returned to the ship at 
night, with three great seals they had shot, and an excellent great cod. 
Master Martin died this day. He had been a "governour" of the passengers 
on the ship, and an "assistant," and was an Adventurer. One of the Master-
mates took a musket, and went with young Francis Billington to find the 
great inland sea the latter had seen from the top of a tree, and found a 
great water, in two great lakes [Billington Sea,] also Indian houses. 

TUESDAY, Jan. 9/Jan. 19
At anchor in harbor. Fair day. Sent burying-party ashore after services 
aboard, with the body of Master Martin, and he was buried with some 
ceremony on the hill near the landing-place. The settlers drew lots for 
their meersteads and garden-plots. The common-house nearly finished, 
wanting only covering. 

WEDNESDAY, Jan. 10/Jan. 20
At anchor in harbor. Party went aland from ship. Frosty. 

THURSDAY, Jan. 11/Jan. 21
At anchor in harbor. A fair day. Party ashore from ship and coming off at 
night, reported Master William Bradford very ill: Many ill aboard. 

FRIDAY, Jan. 12/Jan. 22
At anchor in harbor. Began to rain at noon and stopped all work. Those 
coming aboard ship at night reported John Goodman and Peter Browne, two of 
the colonists, missing, and fears entertained that they may have been 
taken by Indians. Froze and snowed at night. The first snow for a month. 
An extremely cold night. 

SATURDAY, Jan. 13/Jan. 23
At anchor in harbor. The Governor sent out an armed party of ten or twelve 
to look for the missing men, but they returned without seeing or hearing 
anything at all of them. Those on shipboard much grieved, as deeming them 
lost. Fetched wood and water. 

SUNDAY, Jan. 14/Jan. 24
At anchor in harbor. About six o'clock in the morning, the wind being very 
great, the watch on deck spied the great new rendezvous on shore on fire 
and feared it fired by Indians, but the tide being out, men could not get 
ashore for three quarters of an hour, when they went armed. At the landing 
they heard that the lost men were returned, some frost-bitten, and that 
the thatch of the common-house only was burnt by a spark, but no other 
harm done the roof. The most loss was Governor Carver's and Master 
Bradford's, both of whom lay sick in bed, and narrowly missed being blown 
up with powder. The meeting was to have been kept ashore to-day, the 
greater number of the people now being there, but the fire, etc., 
prevented. Some of those sick in the common-house were fain to return 
aboard for shelter. Fifth Sunday in this harbor. 

MONDAY, Jan. 15/Jan. 25
At anchor in Plymouth harbor. Rained much all day. They on shipboard could 
not go ashore nor they on shore do any labor, but were all wet. 

TUESDAY, Jan. 16/Jan. 26
At anchorage. A fine, sunshining day like April. Party went aland betimes. 
Many ill both on ship and on shore. 

WEDNESDAY, Jan. 17/Jan. 27
At anchorage. Another fine, sunshining day. Working-party went aland 
early. Set on shore some of the Planters' goods. 

[Mourt's Relation, Dexter's ed. p. 77. Bradford states (op. cit. Mass. ed. 
p. 110) that they were hindered in getting goods ashore by "want of
boats," as well as sickness. Mention is made only of the "long-boat" and 
shallop. It is possible there were no others, except the Master's skiff] 

THURSDAY, Jan. 18/Jan. 28
At anchorage. Another fine, bright day. Some of the common goods [i.e. 
belonging to all] set on shore. 

FRIDAY, Jan. 19/Jan. 29
At anchorage. A shed was begun on shore to receive the goods from the 
ship. Rained at noon but cleared toward night. 

[Cleared toward evening (though wet at noon), and John Goodman went out to 
try his frozen feet, as is recorded, and had his encounter with wolves.] 

SATURDAY, Jan. 20/Jan. 30
At anchorage. Shed made ready for goods from ship. Fetched wood and water. 

SUNDAY, Jan. 21/Jan. 31
At anchor in Plymouth harbor. Sixth Sunday in this harbor. Many ill. The 
Planters kept their meeting on land to-day for the first time, in the 
common-house. 

MONDAY, Jan. 22/Feb. 1
At anchorage. Fair day. Hogsheads of meal sent on shore from ship and put 
in storehouse. 

TUESDAY, Jan. 23/Feb. 2
At anchorage. The general sickness increases, both on shipboard and on 
land. 

WEDNESDAY, Jan. 24/Feb. 3
At anchor in harbor. Fair weather. Party on shore from ship and returned 
at night. 

THURSDAY, Jan. 25/Feb. 4
At anchorage. Weather good. Party set ashore and came aboard at night. 

FRIDAY, Jan. 26/Feb. 5
At anchorage. Weather good. Party set ashore. The sickness increases. 

SATURDAY, Jan. 27/Feb. 6
At anchorage. Weather fair. Good working weather all the week, but many 
sick. Fetched wood and water. 

SUNDAY, Jan. 28/Feb. 7
At anchorage, Plymouth harbor. Seventh Sunday in this harbor. Meeting kept 
on shore. Those of Planters on board who were able, and some of the ship's 
company, went ashore, and came off after service. 

MONDAY, Jan. 29/Feb. 8
At anchor, Plymouth harbor. Morning cold, with frost and sleet, but after 
reason ably fair. Both long-boat and shallop carrying Planters' goods on 
shore. Those returning reported that Mistress Rose Standish, wife of 
Captain Standish, died to-day. 

TUESDAY, Jan. 30/Feb. 9
At anchorage. Cold, frosty weather, so no working-party went on shore from 
ship. The Master and others of the ship's company saw two savages that had 
been on the island near the ship [Clarke's Island]. They were gone so far 
back again before they were discovered that could not speak with them. The 
first natives actually seen since the encounter on the Cape. 

WEDNESDAY, Jan. 31/Feb. 10
At anchor in harbor. Still cold and frosty, with sleet. No party went on 
shore. Eight of the colonists have died this month on the ship and on 
shore. THURSDAY, Feb. 1/Feb. 11 At anchor in harbor. Weather better, and 
some of those on board the ship went on shore to work, but many ill. 

FRIDAY, Feb. 2/Feb. 12
At anchorage. The same. 

SATURDAY, Feb. 3/13
At anchorage. Weather threatening. Fetched wood and water. 

SUNDAY, Feb. 4/14
At anchor, Plymouth harbor. The eighth Sunday in this harbor, and now 
inexpedient to think of getting away, till both Planters and crew in 
better condition as to health. A very rainy day with the heaviest gusts of 
wind yet experienced. The ship in some danger of oversetting, being light 
and unballasted. 

[Bradford, Historie, p. 92; Young, Chronicler, p. 198. Bradford says (op. 
cit. Mass. ed, pp. 120, 121): "The reason on their parts why she stayed so 
long was ye necessitie and danger that lay upon them, for it was well 
toward ye ende of December before she could land anything here, or they 
able to receive anything ashore. After wards, ye 14 of January the house 
which they had made for a general randevoze by casulty fell afire, and 
some were faine to retire aboard for shelter. Then the sickness begane to 
fall sore amongst them, and ye weather so bad as they could not make much 
sooner dispatch. Againe, the Governor & chiefe of them seeing so many dye, 
and fall down sick dayly, thought it no wisdom to send away the ship, 
their condition considered, and the danger they stood in from ye Indians, 
till they could procure some shelter; and therefore thought it better to 
draw some more charge upon themselves & friends ["demurrage?"] than hazard 
all. The Mr. and sea-men likewise; though before they hasted ye passengers 
a shore to be goone [gone], now many of their men being dead, and of ye 
ablest of them [as is before noted, and of ye rest many lay sick & weake, 
ye Mr, durst not put to sea till he saw his men begine to recover, and ye 
hart of winter over."]] 

MONDAY, Feb. 5/15
At anchor in harbor. Clearing weather. 

TUESDAY, Feb. 6/16
At anchor in harbor. Cold and clear. 

WEDNESDAY, Feb. 7/17
At anchor in harbor. Much colder. 

THURSDAY, Feb. 8/18
At anchorage. Hard, cold weather. 

FRIDAY, Feb. 9/19
At anchorage. Cold weather continues. Little work possible. The little 
house for the sick people on shore took fire this afternoon, by a spark 
that kindled in the roof. No great harm done. The Master going ashore, 
killed five geese, which he distributed among the sick people. He also 
found a good deer the savages had killed, having also cut off his horns. A 
wolf was eating him. Cannot conceive how he came there. 

SATURDAY, Feb. 10/20
At anchor in harbor. Getting goods on shore, but sickness makes both 
Planters and crew shorthanded. Fetched wood and water. 

SUNDAY, Feb. 11/21
At anchor in Plymouth harbor. Ninth Sunday in this harbor. 

MONDAY, Feb. 12/22
At anchorage. Getting goods on shore. 

TUESDAY, Feb. 13/23
At anchorage. Rainy. 

WEDNESDAY, Feb. 14/24
At anchorage. More sickness on ship and on shore than at any time, and 
more deaths. Rainy, clearing. 

[The sickness and mortality had rapidly increased and was now at its 
height] 

THURSDAY, Feb. 15/25
At anchorage. Northerly wind and frost. 

FRIDAY, Feb. 16/26
At anchorage. Northerly wind continues, which continues the frost. Those 
from shore reported that one of the Planters, being out fowling and hidden 
in the reeds, about a mile and a half from the settlement, saw twelve 
Indians marching toward the plantation and heard many more. He hurried 
home with all speed and gave the alarm, so all the people in the woods at 
work returned and armed themselves, but saw nothing of the Indians. 
Captain Standish's and Francis Cooke's tools also stolen by Indians in 
woods. A great fire toward night seen from the ship, about where the 
Indians were discovered. 

SATURDAY, Feb. 17/27
At anchorage. All the colonists on the ship able to go on shore went this 
morning to attend the meeting for the establishment of military orders 
among them. They chose Captain Standish their captain, and gave him 
authority of command in affairs. Two savages appeared on the hill, a 
quarter of a mile from the plantation, while the Planters were consulting, 
and made signs for Planters to come to them. All armed and stood ready, 
and sent two towards them, Captain Standish and Master Hopkins, but the 
natives would not tarry. It was determined to plant the great ordnance in 
convenient places at once. Fetched wood and water. 

SUNDAY, Feb. 18/28
At anchor in Plymouth harbor. The Feb. tenth Sunday in this harbor. Many 
sick, both on board the ship and on shore. 

MONDAY, Feb. 19/Mar. 1
At anchorage. Got one of the great guns on shore with the help of some of 
the Planters. 

TUESDAY, Feb. 20/Mar. 2
At anchorage. Getting cannon ashore and mounted. 

WEDNESDAY, Feb. 21/Mar. 3
At anchorage. The Master, with many of the sailors, went on shore, taking 
one of the great pieces called a minion, and with the Planters drew it up 
the hill, with another piece that lay on the shore, and mounted them and a 
saller and two bases--five guns-- on the platform made for them. A hard 
day's work. The Master took on shore with him a very fat goose he had 
shot, to which the Planters added a fat crane, a mallard, and a dried 
neat's tongue (ox tongue), and Planters and crew feasted together. When 
the Master went on shore, he sent off the Governor to take the directions 
of Master Mullens as to his property, as he was lying near to death,--as 
also Master White. Master Mullens dictated his will to the Governor, which 
he noted down, and Giles Heale, the chirurgeon, and Christopher Joanes, of 
the crew, witnessed, they being left aboard to care for the sick, keep the 
ship, etc. Master Mullens and Master White both died this day. Two others 
also died. Got the men aboard about nightfall. 

THURSDAY, Feb. 22/Mar. 4
At anchorage. Large burial-party went ashore with bodies of Masters 
Mullens and White, and joined with those on shore made the chief burial 
thus far had. The service on shore, the most of the people being there, 
Master Mullens being one of the chief subscribing Adventurers, as well as 
one of the chief men of the Planters, as was Master White. Their deaths 
much deplored. 

FRIDAY, Feb. 23/Mar. 5
At anchorage. Party from the ship went on shore to help finish work on the 
ordnance. 

SATURDAY, Feb. 24/Mar. 6
At anchorage. Same. Fetched wood and water. 

SUNDAY, Feb. 25/Mar. 7
At anchorage in Plymouth harbor. Eleventh Sunday in this harbor. Mistress 
Mary Allerton, wife of Master Isaac Allerton, one of the chief men of the 
colonists, died on board this day, not having mended well since the birth 
of her child, dead-born about two months agone. 

MONDAY, Feb. 26/Mar. 8
At anchor in harbor. Burying-party went ashore to bury Mistress Allerton, 
services being held there. 

TUESDAY, Feb. 27/Mar. 9
At anchorage. The sickness and deaths of the colonists on shore have 
steadily increased, and have extended to the ship, which has lost several 
of its petty officers, including the master gunner, three quarter-masters, 
and cook, and a third of the crew, many from scurvy. 

[There can be no doubt that both planters and ship's crew suffered 
severely from scurvy. The conditions all favored it, the sailors were 
familiar with it, and would not be likely to be mistaken in their 
recognition of it, and Dr. Fuller, their competent physician, would not be 
likely to err in his diagnosis of it. Tuberculosis was its very natural 
associate.] 

WEDNESDAY, Feb. 28/Mar. 10
At anchorage. The last day of the month. The fifty-third day the ship has 
lain in this harbor, and from the present rate of sickness and death 
aboard, no present capacity or prospect of getting away, those better 
being yet weak. The Planters have lost seventeen this month, their largest 
mortality. 

THURSDAY, Mar. 1/11
At anchorage. Blustering but milder weather. 

FRIDAY, Mar. 2/12 
At anchorage. Same. 

SATURDAY, Mar. 3/13
At anchorage. Wind south. Morning misty [foggy]. Towards noon warm and 
fine weather. At one o'clock it thundered. The first heard. It rained 
sadly from two o'clock till midnight. Fetched wood and water. 

SUNDAY, Mar. 4/14
At anchor in Plymouth harbor. The twelfth Sunday in this harbor. Cooler. 
Clear weather. 

MONDAY, Mar. 5/15
At anchorage. Rough weather. 

TUESDAY, Mar. 6/16
At anchorage. Same. 

WEDNESDAY, Mar. 7/17
At anchor in harbor. Wind full east, cold but fair. The Governor went this 
day with a party of five, to the great ponds, discovered by one of the 
ship's mates and Francis Billington. Some planting done in the settlement. 

THURSDAY, Mar. 8/18
At anchor in harbor. Rough easterly weather. 

FRIDAY, Mar. 9/19
At anchorage. Same. Many sick aboard. 

SATURDAY, Mar. 10/20
At anchorage. Same. Fetched wood and water. 

SUNDAY, Mar. 11/21
At anchorage, Plymouth harbor. The thirteenth Sunday the ship has lain in 
this harbor. Many of crew yet ill, including boatswain. 

MONDAY, Mar. 12/22
At anchorage. Easterly weather. 

TUESDAY, Mar. 13/23
At anchorage. The sickness and mortality on ship and on shore continue. 

WEDNESDAY, Mar. 14/24
At anchorage. Same. 

THURSDAY, Mar. 15/25
At anchorage. Same. 

FRIDAY, Mar. 16/26
At anchorage. A fair, warm day, towards noon. The Master and others went 
ashore to the general meeting. The plantation was startled this morning by 
a visit from an Indian who spoke some English and bade "Welcome." He is 
from Monhiggon, an island to the eastward some days' sail, near where Sir 
Ferdinando Gorges had a settlement. He was friendly, and having had much 
intercourse with Englishmen who came to fish in those parts, very 
comfortable with them. He saw the ship in the harbor from a distance and 
supposed her to be a fishing vessel. He told the Governor that the 
plantation was formerly called "Patuxet" [or Apaum], and that all its 
inhabitants had been carried off by a plague about four years ago. All the 
afternoon was spent in communication with him. The Governor purposed 
sending him aboard the ship at night, and he was well content to go and 
went aboard the shallop to come to the ship, but the wind was high and 
water scant [low], so that the shallop could not go to the ship. The 
Governor sent him to Master Hopkins's house and set a watch over him. 

SATURDAY, Mar. 17/27
At anchor in harbor. The Master and others came off to the ship. Samoset 
the Indian went away back to the Massasoits whence he came. A reasonably 
fair day. Fetched wood and water. 

SUNDAY, Mar. 18/28
At anchor in Plymouth harbor. The fourteenth Sunday the ship has lain at 
this anchorage. A fair day. The sickness stayed a little. Many went on 
shore to the meeting in the common-house. Samoset the savage came again, 
and brought five others with him. 

[This Sunday visit was doubtless very much to the dislike of the good 
brethren, or at least of the leaders, but policy dictated every possible 
forbearance. Their consciences drew the line at trade, however, and they 
got rid of their untimely visitors as soon as possible without giving 
offense. Massasoit's men seem to have shown, by leaving their peltry with 
them, a confidence in their new white neighbors that is remarkable in view 
of the brevity of their friendship.] 

They left their bows and arrows a quarter of a mile from the town, as 
instructed. The Planters gave them entertainment, but would not truck with 
them. 

["Truck--to trade." All early and modern lexicographers give the word, 
which, though now obsolete, was in common use in parts of New England 
fifty years ago.] 

They sang and danced after their manner, and made semblance of amity and 
friendship. They drank tobacco and carried pounded corn to eat. Their 
faces were painted. They brought a few skins which they left with the 
Planters, and returned the tools which Captain Standish and Francis Cooke 
left in the woods. The Planters dismissed them with a few trifles as soon 
as they could, it being Sunday, and they promised soon to return and 
trade. Samoset would not go with them, feigning sick, and stayed. Those on 
shore from the ship came off to her at night. 

MONDAY, Mar. 19/29
At anchorage. A fair day. The Planters digging and sowing seeds. 

TUESDAY, Mar. 20/30
At anchorage. A fine day. Digging and planting of gardens on shore. Those 
sick of the crew mending. 

WEDNESDAY, Mar. 21/31
At anchorage. A fine warm day. Beginning to put ship in trim for return 
voyage. Bringing ballast, etc. Some, includ ing the Masters-mates, went on 
shore, who on return reported that the Planters sent the Indian Samoset 
away. A general meeting of the Planters was held at the common-house, to 
conclude laws and orders, and to confirm the military orders formerly 
proposed, and twice broken off by the savages coming, as happened again. 
After the meeting had held an hour or so, two or three savages appeared on 
the hill over against the town, and made semblance of daring the Planters. 
Captain Standish and another, with their muskets, went over to them, with 
the two Masters-mates of the ship, who were ashore, also armed with 
muskets. The savages made show of defiance, but as our men drew near they 
ran away. This day the carpenter, who has long been ill of scurvy, fitted 
the shallop to carry all the goods and furniture aboard the ship, on 
shore. 

THURSDAY, Mar. 22/Apr. 1
At anchorage. A very fair, warm day. At work on ship getting ready for 
sea, bringing ballast aboard, etc. Another general meeting of the Planters 
which all able attended. They had scarce been an hour together when 
Samoset the Indian came again with one Squanto, the only native of Patuxet 
(where the Planters now inhabit) surviving, who was one of the twenty 
captives carried away from this place by Captain Hunt, to England. He 
could speak a little English. They brought three other Indians with them. 
They signified that their great Sagamore, Masasoyt, was hard by, with 
Quadequina his brother, and all their men. They could not well express 
what they would in English, but after an hour the king came to the top of 
the hill, over against the plantation, with his train of about sixty men. 
Squanto went to him and brought a message that one should be sent to 
parley with him, and Master Edward Winslow went, to know hisnmind, and 
signify the wish of the Governor to have trading and peace with him, the 
Governor sending presents to the king and his brother, with something to 
eat and drink. 

[Edward Winslow gives us here another proof of that rare self- sacrifice, 
that entire devotion to his work, and that splendid intrepidity which so 
signally characterized his whole career. At this most critical moment, the 
fate of the little colony trembling in the balance, when there was evident 
fear of treachery and surprise on the part of both the English and the 
savages; though the wife of his youth lay at the point of death (which 
came but two days later), and his heart was heavy with grief; forgetting 
all but the welfare of his little band of brethren, he goes forward alone, 
his life in his hand, to meet the great sachem surrounded by his whole 
tribe, as the calm, adroit diplomatist, upon whom all must depend; and as 
the fearless hostage, to put himself in pawn for the savage chief.] 

The king, leaving Master Winslow with brother, came over the brook, with 
some twenty of his men, leaving their bows and arrows behind them, and 
giving some six or seven of their men as hostages for Master Winslow. 
Captain Standish, with Master Williamson, the ship's-merchant, as 
interpreter, 

[It would seem from the frequent mention of the presence of some of the 
ship's company, Master Jones, the "Masters-mates," and now the "ship's-
merchant," that the ship was daily well represented in the little 
settlement on shore. The presence of Master Williamson on this occasion is 
perhaps readily accounted for. Every other meeting with the Indians had 
been unexpected, the present one was anticipated, and somewhat eagerly, 
for upon its successful issue almost everything depended. By this time 
Standish had probably become aware that Tisquantum's command of English 
was very limited, and he desired all the aid the ship's interpreter could 
give. By some means, the sachem and the colonists succeeded in 
establishing on this day a very good and lasting understanding.] 

and a guard of half a dozen musketeers, met the king at the brook, 

[The guard was probably made thus small to leave the body of the colonists 
as strong a reserve force as possible to meet any surprise attack on the 
part of the Indians. Colonel Higginson, in his Book of American Explorers, 
gives a cut of this meeting of Massasoit and his pineses with Standish and 
his guard of honor, but it is defective in that the guard seems to have 
advanced to the hill ("Strawberry," or later "Watson's") to meet the 
sachem, instead of only to "the brook;" and more especially in that there 
are but two officers with the "six musketeers," where there ought to be 
three, viz. Standish, in command, Edward Window, as the envoy and hostage 
(in full armor), and "Mr. Williamson," the ship's-merchant or purser, as 
interpreter, perhaps acting as lieutenant of the guard. It is always 
matter of regret when books, especially text-books, written by authors of 
some repute, and published by reputable houses, fail, for want of only a 
little care in the study of the available history of events they 
pictorially represent, to make their pictures and the known facts 
correspond.] 

and they saluted each other, and the guard conducted the Sagamore to one 
of the new houses then building, where were placed a green rug and three 
or four cushions. Then came the Governor with drum and trumpet, and a 
guard of musketeers, and they drank to each other in some strong waters, 
and the Governor gave the king and his followers meat, and they made a 
treaty in King James's name, and drank tobacco together. His face was 
painted a sad red, and his head and face were oiled, which made him look 
greasy. All his followers were more or less painted. So after all was 
done, the Governor conducted him to the brook, and his brother came, and 
was also feasted, and then conveyed him to the brook, and Master Winslow 
returned. Samoset and Squanto stayed in the town and the Indians stayed 
all night in the woods half a mile away. The last of the colonists on 
board the ship went ashore to remain to-day. 

FRIDAY, Mar. 23/Apr. 2
At anchor. A fair day. Some of the ship's company went on shore. Some of 
the Indians came again, and Captain Standish and Master Allerton went to 
see the king, and were welcomed by him. This morning the Indians stayed 
till ten or eleven of the clock, and the Governor, sending for the king's 
kettle, filled it with pease, and they went their way? Making ready for 
sea, getting ballast, wood, and water from the shore, etc. The Planters 
held a meeting and concluded both of military orders and some laws, and 
chose as Governor, for the coming year, Master John Carver, who was 
"governor" on the ship. 

SATURDAY, Mar. 24/April 3
At anchorage. The ship's company busy with preparations for the return 
voyage, bringing ballast, wood, and water from the shore, etc., the ship 
having no lading for the return. This day died, on shore, Mistress 
Elizabeth Winslow, wife of Master Winslow. Many still sick. More on the 
ship than on shore. 

SUNDAY, Mar. 25/April 4
At anchor in Plymouth harbor. The fifteenth Sunday in this port. Many of 
the crew dead and some still sick, but the sickness and mortality 
lessening. 

MONDAY, Mar. 26/April 5
At anchor. Bringing ballast from shore and getting ship in trim. 

TUESDAY, Mar. 27/April 6
At anchorage. Getting ballast, overhauling rigging, getting wood, water, 
etc., from shore. 

WEDNESDAY, Mar. 28/April 7
At anchorage. Same. 

THURSDAY, Mar. 29/April 8
At anchorage. The Master offered to take back any of the colonists who 
wished to return to England, but none desired to go. Getting in stores and 
ballast. 

FRIDAY, Mar. 30/April 9
At anchorage. Hastening all preparations for sailing. Getting ballast, 
etc. Water butts filled. 

SATURDAY, Mar. 31/April 10
At anchorage. Setting up rigging, bending light sails, etc. Getting 
ballast and wood from the beach and island. The colonists have lost 
thirteen by death the past month, making in all half of their number. 

SUNDAY, April 1/11
At anchor in Plymouth harbor. The sixteenth Sunday the ship has lain at 
anchor here, and to be the last, being nearly ready to sail. Most of the 
crew ashore on liberty. In the sixteen weeks the ship has lain here, half 
of her crew (but none of her officers) have died, and a few are still 
weak. Among the petty officers who have died have been the master gunner, 
boatswain, and three quartermasters, beside the cook, and more than a 
third of the sailors. A bad voyage for the owner, Adventurers, ship, and 
crew. 

MONDAY, April 2/12
Still at anchor, but making last preparations for voyage. Ship's officers 
made farewells on shore. Governor Carver copied out, and Giles Heale and 
Chris. Jones witnessed, Master Mullens's will, to go to England. 

TUESDAY, April 3/13
Still at anchorage, but (near) ready to sail with a fair wind. Master 
Williamson, the ship's-merchant [purser], appointed by Master Mullens an 
overseer of his will, takes copy of same to England for probate, with many 
letters, keepsakes, etc., etc., to Adventurers and friends. Very little 
lading, chiefly skins and roots. Make adieus to Governor Carver and 
company. 

WEDNESDAY, April 4/14
Still at anchor in Plymouth harbor. Sails loosened and all ready for 
departure except Governor's letters. Last visits of shore people to ship. 
Sail with morning tide, if wind serves. One hundred and ten days in this 
harbor. 

THURSDAY, April 5/15
Got anchors, and with fair wind got underway at full tide. Many to bid 
adieu. Set colors and gave Planters a parting salute with the ensign and 
ordnance. Cleared the harbor without hindrance, and laid general course 
E.S.E. for England with a fine wind. Took departure from Cape Cod early in 
the day, shook off the land and got ship to rights before night. All sails 
set and the ship logging her best. 


And so the MAY-FLOWER began her speedy, uneventful, homeward run, of but 
thirty-one days, arriving in England May 6, 1621, having been absent, on 
her "round voyage," from her sailing port, two hundred and ninety-six 
days. 


THE END OF THE VOYAGE AND OF THIS JOURNAL 

AUTHOR'S NOTE. Of the "Log" Of the MAY-FLOWER, the author is able to 
repeat the assurance given as to the brief Journal of the SPEEDWELL, and 
is able to say, in the happy phrase of Griffis, "I have tried to state 
only recorded facts, or to give expression to well grounded inferences."