The Plymouth Colony was the first settlement in Massachusetts. It was founded by a party of Puritans from the north of England, on November 11th, 1620. These first settlers, called the Pilgrim Fathers, after having spent a number of years at Amsterdam and Leyden in search of religious liberty, secured a grant from the Virginia Company and embarked from Plymouth, England, on September the 6th, 1620, on the Mayflower. They were 108 in number.
During the first winter they endured great suffering and many died. John Carver was chosen as the first Governor of the colony. No royal charter was ever granted, though the colony was in existence nearly seventy years. The colonists bound themselves to obey certain laws, which they should frame themselves on principles of justice and moderation. In 1622 to 1633, the number of the colonists was increased by new arrivals in the Fortune, Ann and Little James. Plymouth colony became a member of the New England Confederation in 1643. By the Massachusettscharter of 1691, it was united with the colony of Massachusetts Bay. Research Plymouth Colony
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