Plymouth Colony timeline
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The Mayflower Departs from Southampton, England
Initially, the plan was for the voyage to be made in two vessels, the other being the smaller Speedwell, which had transported some of the Pilgrims... Read more
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Pilgrims Aboard the Mayflower Sight Land
After reorganization, the final sixty-six day voyage was made by the Mayflower alone, leaving from a site near to the Mayflower Steps in Plymouth,... Read more
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Birth of Peregrine White, First English Child Born to Pilgrims in New World (North America)
Peregrine White (November 20, 1620 – July 20, 1704) was the first English child born to the Pilgrims in the New World. He was born in Provincetown... Read more
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The Mayflower Drops Anchor at the Tip of Cape Cod
The intended destination was an area near the Hudson River, in "North Virginia". However the ship was forced far off-course by inclement weather... Read more
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Signing of the Mayflower Compact
The Mayflower Compact was the first governing document of Plymouth Colony. It was written by the colonists, later together known to history as the... Read more
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Departure of Expedition Along Cape Cod Resulting in "First Encounter" Between English and Native Americans
Originally settled by the Nauset tribe, Eastham was the site where in 1621 a hunting expedition comprised from the crew of the sailing vessel... Read more
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The Mayflower Drops Anchor in Plymouth Harbor, Location of Plymouth Rock, where Colonists are Said to Have First Set Foot on Land
The Mayflower dropped anchor in Plymouth Harbor on December 17 and spent three days surveying for a settlement site. They rejected several sites,... Read more
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Landing Party Arrives at Site where Plymouth Settlement is Built, Beginning Difficult First Winter in New World
On December 21, 1620, the first landing party arrived at the site of what would become the settlement of Plymouth. Plans to immediately begin... Read more
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First Formal Contact Between English Colonists and Native Americans
Samoset (ca. 1590 – 1653) was the first Native American to make contact with the Pilgrims. On March 16, 1621, the settlers were more than surprised... Read more
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Pilgrims Negotiate Peace Treaty with Nauset
Massasoit and Squanto were apprehensive about the Pilgrims. In Massasoit's first contact with the English, several men of his tribe had been killed... Read more
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English Settlers Organize Rescue Party to Retreive John Billington from Nauset, Improving Relations with Native Americans
In late July, a boy by the name of John Billington became lost for some time in the woods around the colony. It was reported he was found by the... Read more
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English Pilgrims Negotiate Exclusive Trading Pact with Massasoit
As promised by Massasoit, numerous Native Americans arrived at Plymouth throughout the middle of 1621 with pledges of peace. On July 2, a party of... Read more
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The "First" Thanksgiving
The autumn celebration in late 1621 that has become known as "The First Thanksgiving" was not known as such to the Pilgrims. The Pilgrims did... Read more
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A Second Ship, the Fortune, Arrives at the Plymouth Colony
In November 1621, one year after the Pilgrims first set foot in New England, a second ship sent by the Merchant Adventurers arrived. Named the... Read more
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New Colonists Arrive at Plymouth Shortly before Establishing New Colony of Wessagusset
In May 1622, a vessel named the Sparrow arrived carrying seven men from the Merchant Adventurers whose purpose was to seek out a site for a new... Read more
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Myles Standish Leads Small Band to Assassinate Native American Warriors at Wessagusset
The next day on April 6th there appeared at the gates of the stockade the leaders of the conspiracy. Pecksuot, a giant warrior and Wituwamat along... Read more
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Two More Ships Arrive to Populate Plymouth Colony
In July 1623, two more ships arrived, carrying 90 new settlers, among them Leideners, including William Bradford's future wife, Alice. Some of the... Read more
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Governor Bradford of Plymouth Colony Proclaims a "Day of Thanksgiving" Often Cited as the First Official Thanksgiving Celebration
The Pilgrims did not hold a true Thanksgiving until 1623, after a switch from communal farming to privatized farming finally resulted in a larger... Read more
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Puritan Leaders Obtain Charter to Establish Colony at Massachusetts Bay
The Puritan population in England had been growing for many years leading up to this time. They disagreed with the practices of the Church of... Read more
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John Winthrop Delivers "City Upon a Hill" Sermon Aboard the Arbella, Heading En Route to Colonial America
Now the only way to avoid this shipwreck, and to provide for our posterity, is to follow the counsel of Micah, to do justly, to love mercy, to walk... Read more
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The Winthrop Fleet Departs from Yarmouth, Isle of Wight, for Colonial America
The group departed Yarmouth, Isle of Wight on April 8. Seven hundred men, women, and children were distributed among the ships of the fleet. The... Read more
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The Wintrhop Fleet Arrives in Salem, Massachussets
The group departed Yarmouth, Isle of Wight on April 8. Seven hundred men, women, and children were distributed among the ships of the fleet. The... Read more
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John Stone is Killed by Western Niantic, in Retaliation for Atrocities he Committed Against Native Americans
In 1634, John Stone, a smuggler, privateer, and slaver, and seven of his crewmen were killed by the Western Niantic, tributary clients of the... Read more
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Pequots Send Messenger Promising Tribute to Massachusetts Bay Colony Deputy Governor, Roger Ludlow
In 1634 the the Pequots initiated peace negotiations with the Massachusetts Bay Colony. They wanted the English to re-establish trade and arbitrate... Read more
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Massachusetts Bay/Pequot Treaty is Negotiated, but Never Ratified by Pequot Council
Before the war's inception, efforts to control fur trade access resulted in a series of escalating incidents and attacks that increased tensions on... Read more