Journey with the Pilgrims

posted in: Pilgrims, Thanksgiving | 0

On September 6th, 1620 the Mayflower finally left England, after several failed attempts. 

There were 102 passengers on the ships and thirty crew members to set sail.  During the sixty-six day voyage, there was only one death and one birth.

The passengers were packed in like cattle, living between decks and hanging sheets for privacy. The passage was
miserable and many of the passengers struggled with seasickness.

picture of Mayflower II, a replica of the original ship

During the journey, the passengers lived off  hard tack, boiled cabbage, dried fruits and meats, fish, cheese and beer.

The decks were stacked from floor to ceiling with beds, tables, chest, tools and other items to start a new household and build a new life.

The Mayflower anchored on Cape Cod on November 11, 1620., after the men signed the Mayflower Compact. This set the laws and protected them, as they were hundreds of miles from their original destination of Virginia.

The first winter was brutal on the Pilgrims

The first expedition party went out on November 27th and on December 25th {they did not celebrate Christmas} building began.

Before the first winter was over, half of those who journeyed on the Mayflower had died of illness.

Building a new life, in unchartered lands and territories was not easy. The Indians, the only occupants of the area, took their time watching the newcomers before making contact. A year later they would celebrate the great harvest together.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.