WILLIAM BRADFORD
William Bradford’s History of Plymouth Plantation is generally felt by both U.S. and English historians to be one of
the most important volumes of the colonial period in America. The work survived apparently only by the rarest of
chances. It was begun in 1630 by Bradford, who was one of the hardy band who came to Plymouth on the Mayflower
and who served as governor of that colony for thirty-three years; he completed chapter 10 that same year. Most of the
remainder he wrote in pieces through 1646; later, he entered a few items up to 1650.
The manuscript remained in the family, passing first to the governor’s oldest son, Major William Bradford;
subsequently to his son, Major John Bradford; and then to his son, Samuel. Meanwhile, it was being borrowed and
mined for various other histories of colonial America. While borrowed by Increase Mather, it narrowly escaped being
burned when Mather’s house was destroyed in 1676. After numerous uses by other historians, it eventually came to
rest in the bishop of London’s library in Fulham Palace, probably taken there by a soldier during the Revolutionary
War. There it was found, and the first complete edition of the manuscript was published in 1856.
Long before it was published, much of its contents had passed into American history and myth. Factually, Bradford’s
account of the trials and misadventures of the settlers at Plymouth is the fullest and best available. It begins with the
unfolding of the “occasion and inducements thereunto” of the Plymouth Plantation, the author professing that he will
write “in a plain style, with singular regard unto the simple truth in all things,” as far as his “slender judgment” will
allow. Chapter 1 begins with the background of the trip—the years 1550 to 1607 and the origin of the Pilgrim Church
in England.
Bradford gives a telling account of how the Pilgrims were forced to flee to Holland in 1608, the immense suffering
they underwent while there, their manner of living in that alien land, and their eventual determination to sail to the
New World. Eventually, all preparations were made for this mighty undertaking. At first, they were to sail in two
ships, but one, because of the fear and duplicity of the captain, was finally abandoned, and the trip made in only one,
the Mayflower, of which Christopher Jones was master.
The Pilgrims arrived at Cape Cod on November 11, 1620. Their consternation upon arriving on the foreign shore is
graphically described by Bradford. He stood “half amazed” at the people’s condition upon arrival. They could see
nothing but “a hideous and desolate wilderness, full of wild beasts and wild men,” with “savage barbarians,” who
were “readier to fill” the sides of the Pilgrims “full of arrows than otherwise.”
The first section, or book, ends with the account of the Pilgrims’ choice of Plymouth as their mainland home, after
some days of searching. This particular spot was chosen for two reasons: The harbour was deep enough to
accommodate shipping, and the settlers had found, back from the coast.
An additional important theme in of Plymouth Plantation is perseverance. Despite the first harsh winter, the many
skirmishes with the Native American tribes (especially the Pequot), the diseases, and the struggles of building
something from nothing in a New World far removed from Europe, the Pilgrims survived and began to flourish. This
is due to their resolve to persevere in spite of the obstacles they encountered. Part of this is also due to the fact that
they knew there was no place for them in England, or in Holland anymore. With nowhere else to go, and wishing to
remain separate from the settlement in Jamestown, the Pilgrims’ perseverance helps them to survive and still keep
their faith.
WILLIAM BRADFORD AND PLYMOUTH PLANTATION
Much of America's early history is shrouded in myth, and this myth is reinforced by the sanitized stories we like to tell
ourselves on holidays like Thanksgiving. As with much history, the complex reality turns out to be much more
interesting than any myth.
Continuing my slow and steady trek though the Norton Anthology of American Literature, today I read some
selections from William Bradford's of Plymouth Plantation. Bradford was a "pilgrim" on the Mayflower and he was
elected governor of the newly-formed colony. He was born in England to modestly well-off parents. Around age 12
or 13, he was captivated by the sermons of the "Nonconformist" minister Richard Clyfton, who spoke against the
church of England. Eventually, Bradford joined this "Separatist" community, re-located to Holland, and finally sailed
on the Mayflower for the New World. His history of the Plymouth colony gives fascinating insight into what life was
like for the "pilgrims".
