This is a fascinating account of the early settlement of the Pilgrims and Puritans in the northeast U.S. Yet it also covers their history and interaction with the local American Indian tribes. In fact, the latter takes up much of the second half of the book. And he covers the Indian wars, especially King Philips' War, in detail.
And the author lets us know that, aside from a few in the early days, most Pilgrims and Puritans didn't think their belief in Christian values extended to the native peoples. Actually, that last sentence might be considered an understatement. The early settlers made a lot of money buying Indian lands cheaply and selling many Indians, including friendly tribes, as slaves to plantation owners in the Caribbean. That is, except for those Indian men women and children they killed by the hundreds. But then, that is what the other Indian tribes did to nearby tribes too.
One interesting piece of trivia the author passes on is that in 1741, over a hundred years after the Pilgrims landed, a 95-year-old man pointed out "an undistinguished rock" and stated his father told him that was where the Pilgrims first stepped foot on American soil. And thus a legend was born. The rock was later buried to help form a pier. Later it was dug up to be moved to the center of Plymouth. But it broke in two, and since this was after the American Revolution, the "Loyalist' portion of the rock was left buried, while the rest was moved. Souvenir hunters significantly reduced the size of the rock by chipping off pieces. Later it was moved to Pilgrim Hall, but while being it moved it broke in half and was cemented back together. Thus are our myths created.
And the author lets us know that, aside from a few in the early days, most Pilgrims and Puritans didn't think their belief in Christian values extended to the native peoples. Actually, that last sentence might be considered an understatement. The early settlers made a lot of money buying Indian lands cheaply and selling many Indians, including friendly tribes, as slaves to plantation owners in the Caribbean. That is, except for those Indian men women and children they killed by the hundreds. But then, that is what the other Indian tribes did to nearby tribes too.
One interesting piece of trivia the author passes on is that in 1741, over a hundred years after the Pilgrims landed, a 95-year-old man pointed out "an undistinguished rock" and stated his father told him that was where the Pilgrims first stepped foot on American soil. And thus a legend was born. The rock was later buried to help form a pier. Later it was dug up to be moved to the center of Plymouth. But it broke in two, and since this was after the American Revolution, the "Loyalist' portion of the rock was left buried, while the rest was moved. Souvenir hunters significantly reduced the size of the rock by chipping off pieces. Later it was moved to Pilgrim Hall, but while being it moved it broke in half and was cemented back together. Thus are our myths created.
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