Historical archaeology has been without a definitive, up-to-date collection that reflects the breadth of the field_until now. Orser's book brings together classic and contemporary articles that demonstrate the development of the field over the last twenty years, both in North America and throughout the world. Orser's selections represent a wide variety of locales and perspectives and include works by many of the leading figures in the field. Engaging articles make it accessible to any interested reader, and superb for historical archaeology classes.
When the Mayflower embarked on her famous voyage to America in 1620, she was carrying 102 passengers. To most, they are simply known as “the Pilgrims.” Perhaps the name of Governor William Bradford, Elder William Brewster, or Captain Myles Standish are vaguely familiar; but the vast majority of the Mayflower passengers have remained anonymous and nameless. In The Mayflower and Her Passengers, I have attempted to resurrect the unique individuality of each passenger by providing short biographies for each person or family group. Also included is a groundbreaking new biography of the Mayflower ship itself.
The Mayflower Marriage breathes life into the story of the Pilgrims who landed at Plymouth in 1620. This compelling and very human tale follows John Alden and Priscilla Mullins as they fall in love during the historic 1620 crossing of the Mayflower from Plymouth, England to Massachusetts. Their love is constantly challenged, but survives batterings and betrayals, and through this the couple achieve a stronger and deeper devotion. John and Priscilla meet in England as preparations for the Mayflower's departure are in progress, Priscilla as a passenger and John as a member of the crew. They gradually discover their mutual attraction as they cope with a voyage fraught with sickness, strife and ferocious storms. Life in early Plymouth is grim as the settlers suffer famine, disease and death. One after another, Priscilla loses her father, mother and younger brother. The comfort and support John longs to give her is limited by Pilgrim morality and strict social norms. Over time, conditions in the new colony gradually improve, with help from friendly Native Americans and occasional supply ships. Despite resistance from the Pilgrim leadership, John and Priscilla finally win through and marry. The sweeping, heroic narrative follows them throughout the remainder of their long and eventful lives, raising a family while navigating the political infighting and squabbling of early Pilgrim society.
"The Pilgrim Migration in the 1620s to Plymouth Colony was the opening episode of the Great Migration to New England of the 1620s and 1630s. Separatists - Puritans opposed to the English church - first moved to Holland from England and then to Plymouth Colony, in what is now Massachusetts. In this one volume, Robert Charles Anderson tells the story of the Pilgrim Migration by relating the story of each family or individual known to have resided in Plymouth Colony between 1620 (when the Mayflower arrived) and 1633. Each of the more than two hundred sketches provides information on the early histories of these immigrants as well as their New World experiences. This material is followed by complete genealogical accounts, including all marriages and children of the immigrants"--Back cover
The utterly absorbing real story of the lives of the Pilgrims, whose desires and foibles may be more recognizable to us than they first appear. Americans have been schooled to believe that their forefathers, the Pilgrims, were somber, dark-clad, pure-of-heart figures who conceived their country on the foundation of piety, hard work, and the desire to live simply and honestly. But the truth is far from the portrait painted by decades of historians. They wore brightly colored clothing, often drank heavily, believed in witches, had premarital sex and adulterous affairs, and committed petty and serious crimes against their neighbors in surprisingly high numbers. Beginning by debunking the numerous myths that surround the landing of the Mayflower and the first Thanksgiving, James Deetz and Patricia Scott Deetz lead us through court transcripts, wills, probate listings, and rare firsthand accounts, as well as archaeological finds, to reveal the true story of life in colonial America.
There must be a greater power than all of us. In 1607, an Indian named Squanto was kidnapped from his village. He was taken across the ocean, where he lived with a monk name, Brother Daniel, for fourteen years.His dealings with the monks, learning a new way of life, enabled him to change his outlook on life. Squanto learned the sensitivity of being tactful and sympathetic to others.While Squanto was with Brother Daniel, he met William Bradford and John Carver while staying at the monastery.He escaped to a ship, going back to America in time to meet with the Pilgrims there.In 1608, four hundred English Protestants were exiled to Leiden, Holland. Dissatisfied with the Church of England, they had hopes of reaching the promised land. The reason for coming to America was not for religious freedom but religious persecution.William Bradford (the colonies' governor) wrote, "Advancing the kingdom of Christ to a new part of the world."Squanto found his village wiped out from disease, leaving the huts empty. He suggested the Pilgrims occupy them that first winter; only forty-two Pilgrims survived out of 102.When the Pilgrims landed in America, the Indians began to squabble between each other. Acting as a go-between as tempers escalated, Squanto was quoted as saying: "We live on the same earth." "We live under the same moon." "We breathe the same air." "Why can't we get along?" For the next fifty years, harmony existed between the settlers and the Indians.
