William Bradford (1590–1657)
William Bradford played a prominent role in the early colonial history of the United States. Governor and chronicler of the pilgrims' early years at Plymouth, Bradford was one of the original settlers to land at Cape Cod aboard the Mayflower in 1620. Initially, he and the other pilgrims intended to settle in Virginia. Instead, the group was fortunate to make it to Plymouth on the coast of present-day Massachusetts, after surviving sickness and storms in a boat that was barely seaworthy.
Bradford helped author the Mayflower Compact (1620) while still aboard ship. The document was designed to prevent confusion and lawlessness before the group arrived in Cape Cod. It served as the basis for a governing body and a system of laws that would bind the new colonists closely together in common purpose.
Bradford's writings recall the difficulties of the sea voyage and the horrific first winter in Plymouth, which wiped out half of the original settlers. He recounts how he took over as governor in 1621, a post he held for almost all of his remaining life. Bradford stabilized the new colony by drawing on the aid of the Wampanoag chief, Massasoit, to develop local food sources. In the years that followed, Bradford describes the challenge of integrating boatloads of newcomers from England into the fellowship of the new colony. Much of what we know about the Pilgrims comes from Bradford's detailed journals and the account in his book Of Plymouth Plantation, which was eventually published in 1856.
The history of the pilgrims who settled at Plymouth is one of sacrifice, hardship, and survival in spite of daunting odds. Bradford left behind a compelling record of their struggles and accomplishments.
William Bradford played a prominent role in the early colonial history of the United States. Governor and chronicler of the pilgrims' early years at Plymouth, Bradford was one of the original settlers to land at Cape Cod aboard the Mayflower in 1620. Initially, he and the other pilgrims intended to settle in Virginia. Instead, the group was fortunate to make it to Plymouth on the coast of present-day Massachusetts, after surviving sickness and storms in a boat that was barely seaworthy.
Bradford helped author the Mayflower Compact (1620) while still aboard ship. The document was designed to prevent confusion and lawlessness before the group arrived in Cape Cod. It served as the basis for a governing body and a system of laws that would bind the new colonists closely together in common purpose.
Bradford's writings recall the difficulties of the sea voyage and the horrific first winter in Plymouth, which wiped out half of the original settlers. He recounts how he took over as governor in 1621, a post he held for almost all of his remaining life. Bradford stabilized the new colony by drawing on the aid of the Wampanoag chief, Massasoit, to develop local food sources. In the years that followed, Bradford describes the challenge of integrating boatloads of newcomers from England into the fellowship of the new colony. Much of what we know about the Pilgrims comes from Bradford's detailed journals and the account in his book Of Plymouth Plantation, which was eventually published in 1856.
The history of the pilgrims who settled at Plymouth is one of sacrifice, hardship, and survival in spite of daunting odds. Bradford left behind a compelling record of their struggles and accomplishments.