Mayflower Passengers

In 1620, a group of English Separatists, commonly known as the Pilgrims, sought refuge from religious persecution in their homeland. Determined to establish a community based on their religious beliefs, they secured passage on the Mayflower, a vessel that would transport them to the New World.

Accompanying the Pilgrims were individuals known as the "Strangers," non-Separatists seeking economic opportunities in the New World. The Mayflower departed from Plymouth, England, in September 1620, embarking on a grueling journey across the Atlantic.

The conditions aboard the Mayflower were far from ideal. The passengers endured cramped quarters, inclement weather, and limited provisions during the transatlantic voyage. After a challenging journey, the ship made landfall at Cape Cod in November 1620.

Realizing they had landed outside the jurisdiction of the Virginia Company, the Pilgrims faced a decision. In response, they drafted the Mayflower Compact, a governing document that established rules for the new colony. Subsequently, they founded Plymouth Colony, marking the beginning of European settlement in New England.