This historical committee begins directly prior to the Pilgrim’s decision to
set sail for the New World while they were still in Holland. Delegates, each representing a Pilgrim, were tasked with determining where they should sail, how they should prepare for their voyage and navigate their ship, and how to survive the winter once they reach their destination.

Acadia was tasked with representing Elisabeth Hopkins, a voyager on the Mayflower. Below is her position paper, which delves into her character’s perspective on the journey to the New World.

Journey and Settlement

For nearly twelve years my family has peacefully resided in Holland but whispers erupted, and whispers have turned to consultation. After years of settlement, we are once again discussing leaving behind our life in search of something different. King James is pushing his reach farther every day and many of my neighbors believe the only way to escape is to leave Holland. While I agree staying in Holland is not ideal for many, is leaving any better?

Leaving England was a feat to behold. 125 people managed to slowly move across the ocean but, it wasn’t easy, during our escape we suffered getting caught which lead to arrests and beatings. When we finally arrived in Holland we found everything worthwhile, until the king we ran from found us. Even after our battle to fly we are still facing the same prosecution. Wherever we go, we will be found, hunted, and brought to what King James has declared justice. Furthermore, leaving now will open our door for challenges we are not prepared to face. As one of three currently pregnant women, risking the health of my new baby by giving birth on board is not a chance easily taken. While leaving may offer a short while of freedom, there is currently no threat of immediate prosecution here in Holland. Should we risk it all again for an unknown outcome?

My husband Stephen has tried to sway me to the path of sailing to a small area he calls Jamestown. Every time he recalls his past adventure sailing there I can’t help but share a fraction of his excitement. While there is debate on which direction to sail, I believe, if we must sail at all, we should head straight for Jamestown. Stephen’s previous travels are like a wind to blow away the cloud of unknown, he knows what we will need and how to survive the new climate.  He says there are natives who speak many strange languages, some of which he has learned and taught me, who may be able to guide us in our settlement. I can only wonder how different my baby’s life will be and if I will be able to protect it from things I am only beginning to understand. By sailing to a completely new place such as Guyana we are sacrificing everything to an alien world.

As the caretaker of three children, I am in a position to understand what goes into surviving. If we are to board a vessel we will need rations, tools, and materials to survive. Furthermore, we will need to bring whatever materials nessisary to start our new life. Our best option for sustenance will be dried and pickled foods. I have experimented with hardtack, salt pork, and fish, these will surely keep us well fed until we land. Stephen recalls sailors falling sick on his previous voyage seemingly due to a lack of fresh foods such as fruits or vegetables. To prevent this, we can bring aboard lemon juice as it will keep for long enough and by drinking cups of it my fellow sailors will remain free from this illness. As for water, there is no way to bring fresh water for such a lengthy voyage of three months and the water that pushes us to our destination is too salty to be consumed. My neighbors and I recognise fermented beverages as they will keep and hydrate even our youngest sailors.

The future seems bleak when there is no way to know where your baby will be raised, what its life will look like. My small family has overcome many trying times and will surely outlast this one. I can only hope wherever this next year takes us we will remain as strong willed as our past has built us to be. 

Works Cited and Consulted

The Plymouth Colony Archive Project, www.histarch.illinois.edu/plymouth/Maysource.html.

Caswell, John Edwards. “Henry Hudson.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 20 Dec. 2019, www.britannica.com/biography/Henry-Hudson.

Cheever, Susan. Drinking in America: Our Secret History. Twelve, 2016.

“Cooking.” MayflowerHistory.com, mayflowerhistory.com/cooking.

Cunningham, Donna, and Larry Joe Dean. “New Discovery about Mayflower Pilgrim Stephen Hopkins.” GenealogyBank Blog, blog.genealogybank.com/new-discovery-about-mayflower-pilgrim-stephen-hopkins.html.

“Holland: First Stop for the Pilgrims.” NASA, NASA, earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/91317/holland-first-stop-for-the-pilgrims.

“Hopkins-Elizabeth.” MayflowerHistory.com, mayflowerhistory.com/hopkins-elizabeth.

“Livestock.” MayflowerHistory.com, mayflowerhistory.com/livestock.

“The Mayflower Story.” Mayflower, www.mayflower400uk.org/education/the-mayflower-story/.

“Plimoth Plantation.” Who Were the Pilgrims? | Plimoth Plantation, www.plimoth.org/learn/just-kids/homework-help/who-were-pilgrims.

“Provision Lists.” MayflowerHistory.com, mayflowerhistory.com/provision-lists.“Voyage.” MayflowerHistory.com, mayflowerhistory.com/voyage.