From Of Plymouth Plantationby William Bradford (1590-1657)

English 11

The Early Settlers

1607—Viriginia is the first colony established in the “New World”

John Smith writes a highly embellished The General History of Virginia

However, this might be helpful in “capturing the flavor” of life in Jamestown

Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts is founded in 1621 by the Puritans (a.k.a. the Pilgrims)

William Bradford writes Of Plymouth Plantation, a factually accurate account of the Puritans’ experiences

Plymouth Plantation

Remember The Mayflower?

Puritans: felt the Church of England was corrupt, became separatists and founded Plymouth to escape feared persecution

Intended to reach Virginia, but landed at Cape Cod in MA (Plymouth Rock)

Landed in November 1620—winter was dreadful

“The Mayflower Compact”

William Bradford

Plymouth’s second governor (after John Carver)

He was reelected 30 timesHelped pay back debt to bankers

Encouraged immigration

Established good relations with Native Americans

Began writing Of Plymouth Plantation in 1630, but wasn’t published until 1856

Essential Vocabulary

History - a factual account of events in the life or development of a people, nation, institution, or culture

Primary source – sources that provide first-hand accounts

Puritan plain style – a simply written language specifically used by the Puritan settlers

Of Plymouth Plantation

Read Of Plymoth Plantation p. 54-58

“Double-Entry Journal”Two columns

One column contains quotations from the reading

One column contains responses to these quotations