Pilgrims as they sought religious freedom, overcame harsh challenges, and formed one of the first English settlements in New England. Learn about their alliance with the Wampanoag people, the first Thanksgiving, and their lasting impact on American history.
The story of Plymouth Colony is full of courage, faith, and hard work. It all began in 1620 when a group of people called the Pilgrims sailed across the Atlantic Ocean to start a new life. They were not just seeking adventure but escaping religious persecution in England.
Pilgrim
Who Were the Pilgrims, and Why Did They Leave?
The Pilgrims were part of a religious group called the Separatists. They didn’t agree with the Church of England, which was led by King James I. The king didn’t like anyone who went against his rules, and people who did could be punished, jailed, or worse. To practice their religion freely, the Pilgrims first moved to the Netherlands. But life there was tough, and they worried their children were losing their English customs. So, they decided to move to the New World.
Journey on the Mayflower
The Pilgrims planned to travel on two ships, the Speedwell and the Mayflower. But the Speedwell had problems and couldn’t make the trip, so all 100 passengers had to fit onto the Mayflower. The journey across the Atlantic Ocean was difficult. The ship was cramped, dirty, and uncomfortable. After two long months at sea, they finally reached the shores of what we now call Massachusetts in November 1620. The Pilgrims had planned to settle near the Hudson River but ended up far north because of bad weather. Since they were outside the area their charter covered, arguments broke out among the group. To keep order, they created the Mayflower Compact, an agreement where everyone promised to work together and follow rules for the good of the colony.
First Winter: A Time of Survival
The first winter in Plymouth was brutal. The Pilgrims were not prepared for the freezing cold, and they didn’t have enough food or proper shelters. Many got sick, and over half of them died. It was a very hard time, but those who survived didn’t give up. In the spring, the Pilgrims met two Native Americans who would change their lives. Samoset was the first to greet them. He spoke some English, which he had learned from earlier European sailors. Through Samoset, the Pilgrims met Squanto, a member of the Patuxet tribe. Squanto’s story was amazing. He had been kidnapped by English sailors years earlier and sold into slavery. After escaping and returning home, he found that his entire tribe had died from European diseases. Squanto knew English and taught the Pilgrims important skills, like how to plant crops using the "three sisters" method—corn, beans, and squash—and how to fish and hunt. Without Squanto and the Wampanoag tribe, the Pilgrims might not have survived.
First Winter: A Time of Survival