A town in southeastern Massachusetts, Plymouth lies on Plymouth Bay, 37 miles (60 kilometers) southeast of Boston. It was the site of Plymouth Colony, the first permanent settlement by Europeans in New England. Its historical attractions and seaside location make Plymouth a popular summer resort town.

Plymouth's founding

Plymouth was founded by English colonists known as Separatists because they wanted to separate themselves from the Church of England. In order to worship the way they chose, the Separatists decided to leave England. They traveled first to The Netherlands and then to North America. These settlers are now known as the Pilgrims.

Sailing on the Mayflower from Plymouth, England, the settlers reached the shores of Cape Cod in what is now Massachusetts in November 1620. On December 21 an exploring party arrived in the area of present-day Plymouth. According to tradition, the Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock on December 26 and built their first fort there. The town of Plymouth was recognized in 1633 as the seat of Plymouth Colony.

Early history

The cruel New England winter had already set in when the Pilgrims landed. Many Pilgrims became ill with scurvy or pneumonia. Their store of food quickly grew low, as the Pilgrims were not skilled at hunting and fishing. Of the more than 100 Pilgrims who landed, half were dead before winter's end.

Their survivors were aided by neighboring Indians. Samoset and Squanto, two of the Pilgrims' first Indian friends, had learned to speak English from explorers and could act as interpreters. Samoset arranged a meeting with Massasoit, the chief of the Wampanoag Indians. A peace treaty was signed, and it was not broken by either side as long as any of the signers lived. When the Pilgrims' 1621 harvest was bountiful, they held their first Thanksgiving feast at Plymouth. They invited Massasoit, who came with 90 warriors.

According to the Pilgrims' contract with the London merchants who funded their journey, no settler could work for his own gain. When they traded with the Indians or cut and sawed timber, they had to ship the furs and lumber to London. The merchants were slow in forwarding supplies. Sometimes they sent over settlers who brought no provisions and had to be fed from the scanty stores. The Pilgrims went through many hungry seasons.

Land was granted to each settler in 1627. Then they had a reason to work hard and provide for their families. The crops improved. Plymouth's most prosperous years were from 1630 to 1640. As more English settlers came to the region, the Pilgrims found a ready market for their corn, livestock, and other provisions. Later, however, Plymouth shrank in size and influence. In 1691 it was absorbed by the Massachusetts Bay Colony.

Plymouth today

Visitors to modern Plymouth find many reminders of the past. They can see the famous Plymouth Rock, which is displayed on the waterfront. Other tourist attractions include Plimoth Plantation, a re-creation of the original Pilgrim village, and the Mayflower II, a replica of the Pilgrims' ship. On a hill behind the town is the National Monument to the Forefathers, which was dedicated in 1889.

Plymouth's economy is largely based on tourism. Other important industries are light manufacturing, fishing, and the production of computer software. Plymouth is also the home of many active wharves and boatyards. Population (2000 census), 51,701.