The Pilgrim Story / Being largely a compilation from the documents of Governor Bradford and Governor Winslow, severally and in collaboration; together with a list of Mayflower passengers.

by William Franklin Atwood

The First Cattle

An important acquisition to the colony was brought over by Mr. Winslow. This consisted of three heifers and a bull, “the first beginning of any cattle of that kind in the land.” Of the increment of this small herd, mention is made later.

Mr. Winslow, who had gone back to England in the fall of 1624 now returned. He brought a letter from some of their friends in the English company to the effect that the company was dissolved and that the agreement by which they were sharers and partners was no longer in effect and that ways and means should be devised whereby their advancements would be secured. This letter states: “Now we think it but reason, that all such things that there appertain to the general, be kept and preserved together and rather increased daily, than anyway be dispersed, and, after your necessities are served, you gather together such commodities as the company yields and send them over to pay debts and clear engagements here, which are not less than 1400 pounds.”

Two vessels had been sent over to expedite their settlement. The larger a cargo of dried fish, but because there was threat of war with France the master “neglected (through timerousness) his order and put first into Plymouth and after into Portsmouth.” This was much to their loss for the cargo “would have yielded them (as such fish was sold that season) 1800 pounds, which would have enriched them.”

The smaller vessel, the Little James, (before mentioned) with a cargo of 700 lbs. of beaver skins, was captured by a Turkish man-of-war.

Captain Standish had left on the larger vessel with letters and instructions to arrange with the Council of New England and those of the company “which still clave to them” for easier terms in their purchase of supplies and future transactions. They had sustained heavy losses although there were some redeeming offsets as: “after harvest this year, they sent out a boat’s load of corn 40 or 50 degrees to the eastward up a river called Kenebeck (Kennebec); it being one of those two shallops which their carpenter had built them the year before. God preserved them and gave them good success for they brought home 700 lbs. of beaver besides some other furs.”

1626

In April Captain Standish returned bringing news of the death of their former pastor, John Robinson, also that of Robert Cushman who had been active in the affairs of the colony. The year thus had a cloudy beginning. They had been unsuccessful in their fishing enterprises and had turned to the intensive cultivation of corn which not only served them as a food staple but as a medium of exchange, as money they had little of.

At a time when they were in need of equipment to carry on their work to the best advantage, they heard that a plantation at Monhegan, owned by a Plymouth (England) company, of Merchants, was to “break up and divers useful goods sold.” Whereupon Governor Bradford and Mr. Winslow “took a boat and some hands and went thither.” These goods they bought in part with another party. They also acquired a “parcel of goats which they distributed at home as they saw need and occasion.”

They also obtained some rugs and other commodities from a French ship that had been cast away on the coast, all of which added to their material comfort.

They had been paying a high rate of interest to the English company and they “sent Mr. Allerton into England to make a composition upon as good terms as he could (unto which some way had been made the year before by Captain Standish) but yet enjoined him not to conclude absolutely until they knew the terms.” They also gave him a commission to secure further supplies for the colony.

1627

Mr. Allerton returned from England with the needed supplies, also the agreement which he had affected with the remaining members of the English company. The essence of this agreement was that upon the payment of 1800 pounds, in yearly installments of 200 pounds, the Plymouth Colony would be relieved of their obligations. While this was approved by “all the plantation and consented unto” it was actually assumed by seven or eight “in behalf of the rest.”

The second allotment of land was made in January of this year, on the basis of first, that the original allotment wherein one acre was given to every person, should stand, and, second, that this, the second division, “should consist of twenty acres to every person, and to contain five in breadth and four in length; and so accordingly to be divided by lot, to every one which was to have a share therein.” There followed several provisions, one to the effect “that fowling, fishing and hunting be free.”

In May a division of cattle was made from the three cows and bull brought over in 1624 there had been a substantial increase “which arose to this proportion: a cow to six persons or shares, and two goats to the same, which were first equalized for age and goodness and then allotted for; single persons consorting with others, as they thought good and smaller families likewise; and swine though more in number, yet by the same rule.”

Mr. Allerton was again sent to England with power to conclude the contract previously alluded to, with certain provisions. These provisions, while still obligating “William Bradford, Captain Myles Standish, Isaac Allerton, etc.” in the performance thereof, gave them a tangible means of securing themselves. They also sent “what beaver skins they could spare to pay some of their engagements and to defray his charge.” He was also authorized to “procure a patent for a fit trading place in the river of Kenebeck.” He was to express further the hope that their friends in Leyden might join them, in which case “they should thankfully accept of their love and partnership herein.”

1628

Early in the spring of 1628 Mr. Allerton returned with the report that he had effected an arrangement whereby: “William Bradford, Governor of Plymouth in N. E., in America, Isaac Allerton, Myles Standish, William Brewster and Ed. Winslow of Plymouth, aforesaid, merchants, do by these presents for us and in our names, make, substitute and appoint James Sherley, Goldsmith, and John Beachamp, Salter, citizens of London, our true and lawful agents, factors, substitutes and assignees,” etc., etc.

He also brought a “reasonable supply of goods for the plantation and without those great interests as before is noted.” And he “had settled things in a good and hopeful way.”

He had obtained a patent for a trading post at Kennebec, “but it was so ill bounded, as they were fain to renew and enlarge it the next year.”

It developed that Mr. Allerton had been taking advantage of his opportunity in his visits to England, to trade on his own account thus acquiring the profit that should by right, go to the company. These transactions were first overlooked for he had been of “good and faithful service.”

About this time trading was inaugurated with the Dutch of New Amsterdam who had previously approached the Plymouth colony with that end in view. It was during this period that wampum was developed, both as a commodity and as a medium of exchange.