Pursuing religious freedom in the United States is a value that dates back to the first pilgrims or separatists that landed at Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1620. At the time of their departure, they were known as separatists, with the name Pilgrims coming much later. Their pursuit of religious freedom while maintaining their English heritage and culture is essential to the telling of America’s founding.

At the time of their separation from the Church of England, it was illegal for anyone in the country not to attend services by the official church of the land. The Pilgrims believed their particular denomination of Christianity should be practiced as they sought to do so, without pledging allegiance to an official state church. The Church of England was a creation of the former King Henry VIII whose purpose was to divorce his first wife for his perceived failure to deliver a male heir to the throne.

In addition to their ideas of religious freedom which later became a central right guaranteed by the First Amendment, the Pilgrims forged a document that would later be part of the inspiration for the Declaration of Independence & United States Constitution. The Mayflower Compact, carrying the namesake of the famous ship they were on, set forth a legal binding document for these new inhabitants of the New World to follow. With this document, the Pilgrims entered into a social contract with each other while also continuing to maintain their allegiance to the British Crown, some three thousand miles away.

Religious freedom and self government were vital principles achieved by the Pilgrims, they did not come without a high cost. That first winter of 1620-1621 nearly wiped out the entire colony before it really gained a foothold in this new land. Disease and exhaustion was widespread with few of the settlers able to continue to construct housing for this colony in Plymouth, Massachusetts.

What would save the colony from devastation would be their sheer determination and the assistance of local natives, including one in particular who is well known in the history books, Squanto. It is his assistance and teaching of these newcomers to fertilize the soil with fish that will allow the colony to succeed and blossom.

This column is the conclusion of a three part series that discusses the original founding colonies of British America which is what the country was known as prior to 1776. The hardships, courage, bravery and sheer determination of these first colonists would inspire others to make the journey to the New World in hopes of beginning a new life for themselves.

For any questions and/or feedback, please contact me by email at cls1128@alumni.ecu.edu.