SEPTEMBER 16

On this date in 1620, that is 399 years ago today, the first Pilgrims set sail from England for America on the Mayflower. The Pilgrims were Puritans and Calvanists - some had come from the European mainland to be in the sailing party.  102 finally sailed on the Mayflower, only 28 of which were actually Pilgrims. 

Land was first sighted on November 9 - they had spent 65 miserable days at sea before going ashore.  One passenger and one crew member died at sea and one child was born.  They arrived in what we call Massachusetts and set up Plymouth Colony. 

Half of the arrivals died the first Winter.  It is believed that some small animals (goats, pigs, chickens) were carried on the ship.  The passengers had taken corn and other foods they found in Indian burial mounds to eat and use for planting in the Spring.  After initial skirmishes with the natives, they had no contact with American Indians for many months.