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Plymouth Colony 1622 - 1626

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Colonists who arrived on the three subsequent ships, together with Plymouth births, swelled the colony's population to over 150 people by 1627, three times that of 1621. Many other changes occurred in the first seven years as well. The merchant adventurers broke up in 1624, leaving the colonists in debt and in need of alternative financial support. Unable to make their living through cod fishing as they had originally planned, the colonists turned to agriculture and trade instead. The Plantation's chief crop, Indian corn, was traded with the Native Americans to the north for highly valued beaver skins, These were profitably sold in England to pay the colony's debts and buy necessary supplies.

Note: the dates are Old Style (Julian calendar), and the New Year begins on Lady Day (March 25).

November 11, 1621

Robert Cushman arrived with 35 persons on the Fortune.

December 13

The Fortune returned to England with Cushman, carrying the text of Mourt's Relation.

By this time, 7 houses & 4 buildings had been built.

Thomas Weston sold his shares of the Pilgrim venture to the remaining Adventurers.

February,

Indian dangers motivated the Pilgrims to enclose their town with "pales".

February 17

Cushman reached London after his capture and detention at Ile d'Dieu.

March

Town completely enclosed by palisade. Within the walls each family has a garden plot

First general militia muster against possible Indian attack.

Bradford again elected governor.

1622

April (beginning)

Standish, 10 men, Squanto and Hobomock began a trip to the Massachusetts Indians for trade but they returned after hearing news of proposed Indian hostilities from Squanto.(These proved false. Massasoit wanted revenge for Squanto's lies but Bradford refused to hand Squanto over to him.) Men continued on their trip where they had good trade.

April 20

John Peirce received a new patent superseding the one of 1621. It was, in effect, a personal deed to Peirce and made without the knowledge and/or consent of his Pilgrim associates. Pierce's abortive attempt to bring this patent to New England on the Paragon resulted in his surrender of the document to the other Merchant Adventurers.

May (late)

The Sparrow arrived with seven passengers, some letters but no provisions.

June

Commenced building a fort after hearing of the Virginia Massacre of March, 1622.

June/July

Arrival of the Charity and the Swan with 50 to 60 men and supplies for the Weston colony.

November

Bradford and a party of men went to the Massachusetts Indians for grain. Squanto died on this trip.

Weston arrived in Plymouth. The Pilgrims helped him.

February

Weston's settlers at Wessagusset, short on food for the winter stole from the Indians and stirred them up against the white settlers.

February (?)

First hanging. One of the Wessagusset settlers was found guilty of stealing corn.

Winslow went to visit Massasoit who was sick.

March

Bradford was again elected Governor. Bradford sent Winslow to Massasoit country to dissuade Dutch from interfering with the fur trade.

1623

April

"Hard Times". Decision is made to change the planting procedure. Settlers are each granted acre plots to plant their own corn instead of farming in common.

May

Drought threatens most of the crop.

Summer

The Pilgrims resorted to fishing or clam-digging for subsistence. One or two persons are appointed to get deer which are divided among the members of the community.

June (end)

The arrival of the Plantation with Captain Francis West with his commission as Admiral of New England.

August

The Anne and the Little James arrived with about 60 people plus ten who did not belong to the general body (probably John Oldham and his company) and a large amount of supplies.

September 10

Winslow returned to England on the Anne to inform the Adventurers of Plymouth's situation and procure needed provisions.

September (mid)

Good harvest. Captain Robert Gorges came with settlers to begin a plantation in Massachusetts and settled at Wessagusset. (Grant from the Council of Affairs for New England.)

November

Gorges returned to England. The Plantation scheme proved unsuccessful.

December 27

Enactment of the 1st law recorded in the Colony's records. (Jury trial for civil and criminal cases.)

 

1623/1624

The Paragon arrived with letters from the Adventurers. (One gave news of Peirce handing his patent over to the Adventurers and Plymouth Colony

January 1

Cushman and Winslow received a patent for Cape Ann from Edmund, Lord Sheffield.

Each person was granted one acre of land near the town. The first ship of the Dorchester Company arrived - the company was sent to Cape Ann.

March

*The first cattle were brought in the Charity. There was an election of officers. More Assistants were chosen and the Governor was to have a double voice in votes. Bradford was again elected governor. Lyford arrived on the Charity. The London Adventurers insisted on sending Lyford as Plymouth's first minister.

April 10

The Little James was sunk in the mud during storm.

Spring

Lyford and John Oldham (one of the "particular planters") were called before the General Court due to their opposition to the government. (Oldham was to leave immediately; Lyford given six months to leave.)

March 1

John Robinson died in Holland.

Cornelius May took 30 families to New Netherlands for the Dutch West India Company.

1624

John Smith relates that Plymouth's population was about 180 persons and that 32 houses had been built.

1624/25

Captain Wollaston came to Massachusetts to begin a plantation (Mt. Wollaston).

1625

The first horses (i.e., jades or worn out horses) sent to Plymouth, but apparently did not arrive safely..

March 27

James I died; Charles I became King of England and tension for Puritans increased. Bradford is again elected governor.

Spring

Oldham returned without permission. Oldham (for the second time) and Lyford are banished from Plymouth. Standish and some men are sent to Cape Ann to get the fishing stage back from West Country men.

On returning to England, the Little James is captured by "the Turks." (It was filled with furs for the London Adventurers.)

1626

March

Bradford is again elected governor.

April

Standish returned from England bringing news of Robinson's death.

July (early)

Allerton sent to England with a commission to deal with the Adventurers.

Peter Minuit bought Manhattan from the Indians for the Dutch West India Company.

Winter, 1626/1627

The "Sparrowhawk" is wrecked on Cape Cod, and its passengers are given refuge in Plymouth.

Plimoth Plantation
P. O. Box 1620
Plymouth, MA 02362
(508) 746-1622

© Plimoth Plantation, Inc. 1999