The Mayflower Pilgrims by Edmund Carpenter - Book Report/Review Example

As time passed, the movement for Separatist grew firmly as they openly held their meetings for prayers and other religious ceremonies. Consequently, as time passed, people became wary of the groups and soon they had informed on the Separatists. This resulted in significant arrests of the faithful followers of the Separatists, and consequently, sentenced to jail terms. The rest of the group followers who had escaped the arrest immediately went into hidings, and those that were in hiding were left with the choice of either fleeing the country or abandoning their faith.

The former was not an option; they had to flee the country. Before they could flee, the other detainees were released as the cells in Scrooby were too small to hold a large number of inmates in hundreds. After the release, they set their course for the future Pilgrim church of Plymouth that would carry them from Scrooby town to Amsterdam, and then to the shores of New England via Leyden. (Edmund 1911) The Pilgrims felt their agony and harms were over when they reached Plymouth, as soon as the Mayflower dropped her anchor in the harbor of Plymouth.

They came to Plymouth with few possessions than what they intended to carry since they had little time to prepare as a result of the constant harassment they endured in the wrath of the merchant adventurers. The ship, speedwell which they traveled on, was wrecked by heavy storms which had driven them off course to about one hundred miles than their presumed destination. As a result, they had to leave one group behind since there was no other ship that was capable of carrying them all at a go.

They searched for a place to settle in for almost six weeks, and then finally found a harbor and a location for establishing their colony. They were joyous and felt their tribulations were now a thing of the past. (Edmund 1911) On arrival, the Pilgrims found matters worse than what they had expected, this was because in Plymouth, heavy winter had fallen and the situation only worsened with time. Many Pilgrims succumbed to the harsh cold environment, as they tried to build temporary shelters to cave in during the cold winter.

Many of the company members had developed scurvy as a result of exposure to cold temperatures, during the two months that the ship was confined at sea. The entire company was almost swept by this awful plague combined with pneumonia. Labor was insufficient hence abandoned, and those that survived put their energy in helping and caring for the sick. (Edmund 1911) As spring came by, the wintery illness subsided and the remaining members of the company gained full health. In contrast, the Mayflower embarked on its journey back to the town in Scrooby.

The Pilgrims were very disappointed that the ship had left so soon, but they were determined to find a place that they could settle and continue with their ministry. They had not lost hope, nor despaired since they had strong faith in them. (Edmund 1911) They later settled alongside the Indians, who none of them knew how to speak English except one Indian man, Samoset. He was the herald of a certain embassy from Massasoit, a significant and commanding chief in the whole region. The Pilgrims signed a harmony accord with the Indians and started fishing in Massachusetts as an economic activity.

Fishing was then established as the main income earner in the Plymouth colony. They also grew crops and traded with the Indians for otter skins and beaver. The fishery industry grew evenly and valuably as the Pilgrims settled in peace. (Edmund 1911)Conclusion