William Bradford

The story of the first settlers from The Mayflower and how they were able to survive and flourish in a hostile land despite incredible odds. This is their story, originally penned as a journal during 1630-1651 by William Bradford, who was Plymouth Colony Governor five times for a period of nearly thirty years.

Sir,-The enclosed ancient manuscript I found some years ago in a grocer's shop in this town, of whom I obtained it with a view of saving what remained from destruction. I lament extremely that a page has been torn out; and it gives me pleasure that I now have an opportunity of placing it in your hands,-a freedom I am induced to take from your advertisement of the first of November, 1792, and from a persuasion that it may contribute in some measure...

"This edition of Bradford's famous history is presented as part of the observation of the 400th anniversary of the founding of Plimoth Colony in 1620. Made from a new transcription of the original manuscript, with annotations that incorporate recent information and interpretations, this version of Bradford's magnum opus includes an introduction that brings together Native and non-Native commentators as well as an appendix that presents Bradford's...