Plymouth Colony

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In commemoration of the Mayflower's 400th anniversary, this landmark collection presents firsthand accounts that explore the history of the English settlers and their interactions with the region's Native peoples. The narrative of the Pilgrims, often centered on the landing at Plymouth Rock and the first Thanksgiving, overlooks the reality that the settlers arrived in Patuxet, the Wampanoag people's ancestral homeland, rich in agriculture and trade. While many find comfort in the myth of harmonious relations, the truth encompasses a complex history of diplomacy, exchange, and conflict. This collection features key firsthand narratives from the English settlers, including Mourt's Relation, Governor William Bradford's Of Plymouth Plantation, and Mary Rowlandson's captivity narrative, alongside documents that shed light on Anglo-Native encounters and the roles of Christian Indians. The legacy of Wampanoag leaders like Massasoit and Metacom ("King Philip") is also examined, particularly in the context of King Philip's War, which resulted in significant loss of life and marked the end of Plymouth as a separate colony in 1692. Despite this, the Wampanoag people continue to inhabit their ancestral lands today.