A Chronological History of

New England.

SECTION I

1621. January 1, Monday. The People at Plymouth go betimes to work; and the year begins with the death of Degory Priest.

January 3. Some, abroad, see great fires of Indians; and go to their corn fields, but discover none of the savages: nor have seen any, since we came to this harbour.

January 4. Captain Standish, with four or five more, go to look for the natives, where their fires were made; find some of their houses, though not lately inhabited; but none of the natives.

January 8. Francis Billington having, the week before, from the top of a tree on a high hill, discovered a great sea, as he thought; goes this day, with one of the Master's Mates to view it travel three miles to a large water divided into two

lakes; the bigger five or six miles in compass, with an islet in it of a cable's length square; the other, three miles in compass, and a brook issuing from it. Find seven or eight houses; though not lately inhabited. And this day, dies Master Christopher Martin.

January 9. We labour in building our town, in two rows of houses for greater safety; divide, by lot, the ground we build on; agreed that every man shall build his own house, that they may make more haste, than when they work in

common.

January 12. At noon, John Goodman and Peter Brown gathering thatch abroad, and not coming home after their two companions, put us in great sorrow. Master Leaver, with three or four more, go to seek them; but can hear nothing of them.

Next day, thinking the Indians had surprised them, we arm out ten or twelve men after them; who go searching seven or eight miles but return without discovery, to our great discomfort.

January 13. Having the major part of our people ashore, we purpose there to keep the Public Worship to-morrow.

January 14, Lord's Day, morning. At 6 o'clock, the wind being very high, we on ship board see our Rendezvous in flames; and because of the loss of the two men, fear the savages had fired

it: nor can we come to help them, for want of the tide, till 7 o'clock. At landing, hear good news of the return of our men; and that the house was fired by a spark flying into the thatch, which instantly burnt up. The greatest sufferers are Governor Carver, and Master Bradford.

The two men were lost in the woods on Friday noon; ranged all the afternoon in the wet and cold; at night, it snowing, freezing, and being bitter weather, they walked under a tree till morning; then travelled by many lakes and brooks. In the afternoon, from a high hill, they discover the two isles in our harbour and at night get home, faint with travel, and want of food and sleep; and almost famished with cold.

January 21. We keep our Public Worship ashore.

January 29. Dies Rose, the wife of Captain Standish.

January 31. This morning the people aboard the ship see two savages; but cannot speak with them.

N.B. This month, Eight of our number die. February 9. This afternoon, our house for our sick people is set a fire by a spark lighting on the roof.

February 16. One of our people a fowling by a creek, about a mile and a half off, twelve Indians march by him towards the town; in the woods,

he hears the noise of many more: lies close, till they are passed by; then hastens home and gives the alarm. So the people abroad return, but see none; only Captain Standish and Francis Cook leaving their tools in the woods, and going for them; find the savages had taken them away. And towards night, a great fire about the place, where the man saw them.

February 17. This morning, we first meet for appointing military Orders; choose Miles Standish for our Captain; give him power accordingly. And while we were consulting, two savages present themselves on the top of the hill over against us, about a quarter of a mile off, making signs for us to come to them. We send Captain Standish and Master Hopkins over the brook, towards them; one only with a musket, which he lays down in sign of peace and parley: but the Indians would not stay their coming. A noise of a great many more is heard behind the hill; but no more come in sight.

And

February 21. Die Master William White, Master William Mullins; with two more. the 25th, dies Mary, the wife of Master Isaac Allerton.

N.B. This month, Seventeen of our number die.

This spring, there go ten or twelve ships from the West of England to fish on the coasts of New

England; who get well freighted with fish and fur.

About this time, the Indians get all the Pawaws of the country, for three days together, in a horrid and devilish manner, to curse and execrate us with their conjurations; which assembly, they hold in a dark and dismal swamp; as we are afterwards informed.

March 7. The Governor with five more, go to the Great Ponds; and we begin to sow our garden seeds.

March 16. This morning, a savage boldly comes alone along the houses, straight to the Rendezvous; surprises us with calling out "Welcome, Englishmen !" "Welcome, Englishmen !" having learned some broken English among the fishermen at Monhiggon.

The first Indian we met with. His name is Samoset, says, he is a Sagamore or Lord of Moratiggon, lying hence a day's sail with a great wind, and five days by land; and has been in these parts, eight months. We entertain him, and he informs us of the country. That the place we are in, is called Patuxet; that, about four years ago, all the inhabitants died of an extraordinary plague; and there is neither man, woman, nor child remaining as indeed, we find none to hinder our possession, or lay claim to it.

At night, we lodge and watch him.

C