THE PURITANSENCOUNTERS WITH THE IROQUOIS

The Puritans in EnglandPuritans are a group of religious purists who fomented a

revolution in England in the 1600’s The Puritan leader, Oliver Cromwell, defeated King

Charles I, beheaded him and became “Lord Protectorate” of the United Kingdom. They ruled England for 30 years until 1666 when Cromwell died.

Charles II was returned from France and reclaimed his father’s throne and the Puritans were punished and banished from England for their part in the revolution.

Some had fled to the new world at Plymouth in Massachusetts and others followed until the northeast was settled by devout Puritans

The Mayflower

JAMESTOWN-VIRGINIA ESTABLISHED 1607

HOPE IN THE NEW WORLD

Plymouth, Massachusetts

The Mayflower CompactYe CompacteSigned in Ye Cabin of Ye MayflowerYe 11 of November Anno Dominie 1620

In ye name of God, Amen.We whose names are underwritten, the loyall subjects of our dread and soveraigne Lord, King James, by ye grace of God, of Great Britaine, Frand, and Yreland king, defender of ye faither, &c., haveing undertaken for ye glorie of God, and advancemente of ye Christian faith, and honour to our king and countrie, a voyage to plant ye first colonie in ye Northerne parts of Virginia, doe by these presents solemnly and mutually in ye presense of God, and one of another, covenant and combine ourselves togeather into a civill body politick, for our better ordering & preservation & furtherance of ye ends afordsaid; and by vertue hearof to enacte, constitute, and frame such just & equall lawes, ordinances, Acts, constitutions & offices from time to fime, as shall be thought most meete & convenient for ye generall goode of ye Colonie, unto which we promise all due submission and obedience. Yn witness whereof we have hereunder subscribed our names at Cap-Codd ye 11. of November, in ye year of ye raigne of our soveraigne lord, King James, of England, France, & Yreland ye eighteenth, and Scotland ye fiftie fourth, Ano: Dom. 1620

John Carver --- William BradfordEdward Winslow --- William BrewsterIsaac Allerton --- Myles StandishJohn Alden --- Samuel Fuller

Puritan world view- Religious Humans are inherently evil-

they are born with original sinMankind’s destiny is pre-

determined. God knows who will be saved

Salvation comes only through God’s grace (blessing)

The Bible is the source of God’s word

Evidence of a godly life is found in a person’s daily behavior

 

The village

The commonwealth garden

Going to church

Guarding the outpost

Early LeadershipWilliam Bradford

Governor of Plymouth

William Bradford was one of the leaders of the pilgrims who established Plymouth Colony. He was its governor for more than 30 years.

His History of Plymouth Plantation, 1620-1647, first printed in full in 1856, is a minor classic, reflecting the unusual qualities of the man and the values of the small group of English separatists who became known as Pilgrims.

The term Pilgrim is derived from his description of himself and his co-religionists as they left Holland (July 22, 1620) for Southampton, where they joined another group of English separatists on the Mayflower.

During the period of his governorship, and especially during the first few years, Bradford provided the strong, steady leadership that kept the tiny community alive. He strove to sustain the religious ideals of the founders and to keep the colony's settlements compact and separate from the larger neighboring colonies. Bradford died on May 9 or 19, 1657.

GovernmentCommunal to individual

God/ Government/ Commandments

  Began with the mayflower compact-

a democratic form of agreement on terms and social regulations with men as voting members of the community.

The “City of God” concept- religious rules and government rules were mixed.

  Religious leaders served as

government officials in the courts, record keeping, and leading committees.

 

Puritan punishment- shaming

Social Life  Wanted a Christian “Commonwealth” in which all goods were to be held in common and distributed as needed

to anyone in the community.  Followed a strict moral code based on biblical principles.  Stressed education for the purpose of reading the scriptures  Valued hard work, charity, piety- the ten commandments  Strict upbringing for children- did not spare the rod! Children began working the farms early in life or helping

with the household.   Attended church on Sundays for hours- no work allowed on Sundays.

LITERATURE:  Personal: Journals, poetry, religious songs Governmental- Business- letters, transcripts of court proceedings, documents of land sales, births, deaths etc. 

Many of the Puritan records were lost in the American Revolutionary War through fires.

Puritan historical recordBelieved in education of children- reading the Bible

was critical!  Personal: Journals, poetry, religious songs

Governmental- Business- letters, transcripts of court proceedings, documents of land sales, births, deaths etc.

 

Many of the Puritan records were lost in the American Revolutionary War through fires.

The First Thanksgiving #1

The First Thanksgiving #2

The first Thanksgiving # 3