MayflowerHistory.com Library

Primary Sources: Writings of the Pilgrims
(Courtesy of Google Books)

A Relation or Journal of the Proceedings of the English Plantation Settled at Plymouth, by Edward Winslow and others (London, 1622). These are the journals kept by the Pilgrims for their first year at Plymouth, and are commonly nicknamed "Mourt's Relation." This edition is edited by Henry M. Dexter (1865).
Good News from New England, by Edward Winslow (London, 1624). This journal kept by Edward Winslow continues the journals from "Mourt's Relation" (above) through the year 1623.
History of Plymouth Plantation, by William Bradford (written c1630-1651, first published 1851). This is the two-volume scholarly edition published in 1912 by the Massachusetts Historical Society, edited by Worthington C. Ford.
- Volume 1. Covers the Pilgrims history through 1626.
- Volume 2. Covers the years 1627-1646.
Sin and Danger of Self Love, by Robert Cushman. This is the only surviving sermon preached to the Plymouth church. It was delivered in December 1621.
William Bradford's Letterbook, by William Bradford. This is a transcription of the letters that Governor William Bradford received between 1624 and 1630.
The Works of John Robinson, edited by Robert Ashton (Boston, 1851). John Robinson, the Pilgrims' pastor in England and Holland, wrote many works. This three-volume set collects most of them.
- Volume 1. Observations Divine and Moral; Defense Propounded by the Synod of Dort
- Volume 2. A Justification for the Separation from the Church of England.
- Volume 3. A Just and Necessary Apology; Two Letters on Christian Fellowship; On Religious Communion, Public and Private; A People's Plea for the Exercise of Prophesy; The Lawfulness of Hearing Ministers in the Church of England; An Appeal In Truth's Behalf; Answer to a Censorious Epistle.
Hypocrisy Unmasked, by Edward Winslow (London, 1646). A report on events surrounding the New England colonies' arrests and prosecutions of Samuel Gorton and associates, followed by a section on why the Pilgrims originally decided to leave England and Holland to settle Plymouth.
New England's Salamander Discovered, by Edward Winslow (London, 1647). A response to accusations that the colonies of New England were establishing and enforcing laws which were contrary to those of England.

Other Primary Sources of Importance

New England's Prospect, by William Wood. A description of America, and the Indians, written by William Wood in 1634. Although not directly related to Plymouth, his accounts of animal and plant life, geography and geology, and the Indians and Indian language, are useful for understanding the world the Pilgrims lived in.
Works of Captain John Smith, edited by Edward Arber. Two volumes covering most all of the writings of Captain John Smith, who was more famous for his adventures at Jamestown, but who was also instrumental in mapping New England, including Cape Cod.
- Volume 1. Includes A Description of New England, New England's Trials (1620 and 1622), and the first part of General History of Virginia.
- Volume 2. Includes the remainder of General History of Virginia, plus An Accidence for Young Seamen, The True Travels and Adventures of Captain Smith, and Advertisements for the Unexperienced Planters of New England.
New England's Memorial, by Nathaniel Morton (Cambridge, MA, 1669). The earliest published history of Plymouth. It is based very heavily on William Bradford's manuscript History Of Plymouth Plantation), but has a few original elements.
General History of New England, by William Hubbard. This history of New England was written in the 17th century and contains some unique information about Plymouth and neighboring colonies that is not found elsewhere. The manuscript was first published in 1815.
Chronological History of New England in the Form of Annals, by Thomas Prince. Published first in 1737, Prince had access to some of Bradford's manuscripts that have since been lost, so this history includes some facts that cannot be found elsewhere in primary sources.