This episode details the origins of the Pilgrims, their voyage, and their interactions with the Natives in the first successful New England colony. Along the way I describe the importance of a document signed onboard the ship and how it was a defining moment in American history. Those onboard were not aware of that, though. I also discuss the interactions with the natives, both the ugly and the inspiring, and how it would shape the colonial experience going forward.

Again, the AP notes get the broad strokes, but are lacking on the details. So this may be how you remember the story told, but I hope you glean some new information regardless.

So, let’s expand on what we think we know already, keep and open mind, and fill in those missing pages.

Music

Intro: Fractured Timeline - Sémø

Outro: This Life of Time - Beò

Sources

Mayflower: Voyage, Community, War - Nathaniel Philbrick

A Stranger Among Saints: Stephen Hopkins, the Man Who Survived Jamestown and Saved Plymouth - Jonathan Mack

Mourt’s Relation - William Bradford, Edward Winslow, et. al.

American Colonies: The Settling of North America - Alan Taylor

Before the Revolution: America’s Ancient Pasts - Daniel K. Richter

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit missingpages.substack.com