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Archiver > GenMassachusetts > 2007-08 > 1187539267
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Subject: Re: [GENMASSACHUSETTS] Mayflower Destination
Date: Sun, 19 Aug 2007 12:01:07 EDT
Genealogists, Please......Since the Separatists on the Mayflower left
Holland because they didn't want their children to grow up Dutch, do you think they
were headed toward New Amsterdam that was settled by the Dutch in 1614?
And, please don't take a book that is Historical Fiction and believe that it is
Historical Fact. The Separatists also did not want to settle in present day
Virginia, because that colony was under the rule of England and they were
"Separatists". They wanted to start their own colony, with their own religious
beliefs, separate from those of the English state religion. That is why some
of the passengers were not "Separatists" but for other reasons joined them
in establishing a new home. i.e. Miles Standish, a Catholic, who was to be
their teacher in protecting themselves, John Alden a 'cooper' (barrel maker),
who was needed, Stephen Hopkins, because of his experience and because he was
banished from England as they themselves were. They also know exactly where
they were. English fisherman were in the Massachusetts Bay area for decades
before 1620. They first landed in northern Cape Cod, but since they found
no suitable place to establish a settlement, went west to present day Plymouth
where there was a suitable fresh water source. Unfortunately, the place
where they settled killed half of them that winter. Fortunately, since some of
the Indians spoke English, and since Stephen Hopkins had been to America
before and knew something of the Indian culture, they did get some help that
first year and the colony survived. Dave from Long Island
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