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The first settlers in Massachusetts. In 1608, a party of Puritans, chiefly from the north of England, weary of the constant religious persecutions, left England and settled at Amsterdam, whence they later moved to Leyden. But they could not conform to the customs of Holland. Accordingly in 1617, Robert Cushman and John Carver were sent to England to treat with the Virginia Company for a grant of settlement in its territory in America. This was readily obtained. Early in 1620, the Pilgrims embarked from Delfthaven in the " Speedwell," a vessel chartered in Holland. Arriving at Southampton, they found the " Mayflower," which Cushman had brought from London, awaiting them. August 5, 1620, the " Mayflower " and the " Speedwell " left Southampton for the New World. Twice the " Speedwell " put back for repairs, and the second time she was left, the " Mayflower " sailing alone from Plymouth with 102 passengers, September 6. Their destination was to a point near the Hudson River, but the wind drove them to the north. Skirting along Cape Cod, November II (O. S.), the " Mayflower" dropped anchor off what is now Provincetown. Later the Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock, and thus the colony of Plymouth was begun. The leaders of the Pilgrims were Bradford, Brewster, Cushman, Miles Standish, and Carver. The name comes from a passage in the journal of William Bradford.

Nonconformists, who, sailing from Southhampton in the Mayflower, landed at Plymouth, Massachusetts, December, 1620.