Full Text Primary Sources:
Historical documents relating to the Pilgrims

Mayflower Compact (1620). Signed on November 11, 1620, the morning the Pilgrims anchored off the tip of Cape Cod. It was intended to quell any discontents amongst the passengers, and to establish a government since their land patents were for Northern Virginia, and not for New England. To legally establish themselves, they needed to procure an additional land patent, which they did in the form of the Pierce Patent of 1621.
Peace Treaty with Massasoit (1621). An agreement made with Wampanoag sachem Massasoit, agreeing to mutual military aid to one another, and various terms for peace.
Pierce Patent (1621). The document that formalized the Pilgrims' legal right under English law to establish and govern themselves in New England.
Division of Land. In 1623, the Pilgrims divided up their collective landholdings and apportioned out small parcels for each family group to grow Indian corn and other crops. Each head of a household received one acre for every man, woman and child in his family group. This document details who got what land, and how many acres they received.
Inventory for the Mayflower (1624). This document, found in the High Court of Admiralty records in the Public Records Office in England, is an inventory valuation of the Mayflower made before the ship was most likely sold off as scrap.
Division of Cattle. In 1627, the Pilgrims divided up their collective cattle and goat holdings to the various family groups then living in Plymouth. This document is important because it names every man, woman and child then living in Plymouth. It also provides a census of the cattle and goats then living in Plymouth.

"The Mayflower Compact," as copied into William Bradford's manuscript history,
Of Plymouth Plantation.

Full Text Primary Sources: Historical documents relating to the Pilgrims

Full Text Primary Sources:
Historical documents relating to the Pilgrims