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 Settled Minister

The first settled minister was Ralph Smith, a graduate of Cambridge University, England, who had come with his family to the Massachusetts Bay Colony. He arrived in Plymouth in 1629 and served as minister until 1636. He was succeeded by John Rayner, a graduate of Magdalen College, who continued his ministry until 1654.

During Mr. Smith’s incumbency it is probable that services were held in both the Fort on Burial Hill and the Common House on what is now Leyden Street as the first meeting-house which faced Town Square was not built until 1637.

1630

In May, 1630, the colony was further augmented by the arrival of “16 or 18” more of their Leyden brethren who had come to Boston with John Winthrop and his company. These arrivals, while welcome, increased the financial burden now resting heavily upon the shoulders of those who had assumed the obligations.